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3.81 AVERAGE
3.81 AVERAGE
reflective
slow-paced
A friend loaned this book to me and though I strongly disagree with many of the author's assertions in the chapter about women, he makes some other very good points elsewhere in the book about the pitfalls of "cancel culture" and what he calls "over-correction" tactics employed for the sake of political correctness, and the threats to free speech in modern culture.
While you can argue that the author cherry-picked the examples to serve his narrative, I think the main point of this book is showing how any attempt at discussion is being stifled. He shows how any questioning of axioms, which are being introduced at high speed, ends up getting people blasted on social media or real life, even to the point of losing their careers. No matter what side you find yourself on, discussion should always be encouraged, for everyones benefit.
reflective
medium-paced
Sadly lacking on actual scientific assessment or accurate interpretation. Listened to the entire book and its afterword, but was disappointed that the book is aimed clearly at those who lack the education to understand nuance and are “just asking questions.” Full of tropes wrapped in a guise of knowledge.
Old gay man yells at old gay cloud.
The book is built on the premise, stated directly in the forward, that having solved sexism, racism, and gay rights over the last two decades... you may think I'm kidding on this, but I am most certainly not... now women, minorities, and gays are just taking things too far by demanding that people actually, you know, acknowledge these changes and maybe abide by them.
Built on anecdotes only ever superficially explored, the whole thing lacks any intellectual rigor and feels like an attempt to preach to the conservative choir, who would dearly love to roll back all of those changes and more, so that they can feel better about themselves. And it seems to have hit its mark if you read all the five star reviews.
In short, literally an attempt to be part of the problem than any sort of effort to find a solution.
The book is built on the premise, stated directly in the forward, that having solved sexism, racism, and gay rights over the last two decades... you may think I'm kidding on this, but I am most certainly not... now women, minorities, and gays are just taking things too far by demanding that people actually, you know, acknowledge these changes and maybe abide by them.
Built on anecdotes only ever superficially explored, the whole thing lacks any intellectual rigor and feels like an attempt to preach to the conservative choir, who would dearly love to roll back all of those changes and more, so that they can feel better about themselves. And it seems to have hit its mark if you read all the five star reviews.
In short, literally an attempt to be part of the problem than any sort of effort to find a solution.
Prose: 5
Interesting Content: 4
Perspective Shift: 3
Political Impartiality: 2
I was really unsure how to rate this book. I lean liberal/left-wing in most of my political views, and this is the first book I’ve read with an overtly conservative message, written by a conservative. I disagree with the reasoning behind a lot of his more general points in here and I do think there are many blind spots in his reasoning.
However, he is a fantastic writer and argues his points with wit and clarity. I really enjoyed reading this book, and got through it quite quickly.
Also, his examples and specific points were very powerful and made his general points more persuasive.
It’s always a good sign when you’d love to have a chat with the writer in person - because they are great company and you think think you’d learn a lot from them in doing so.
Douglas Murray definitely falls into that camp for me.
Summation:
Whether you agree with him politically or not, Murray is a really smart, funny, and enjoyable writer, and this is an interesting, topical subject.
Interesting Content: 4
Perspective Shift: 3
Political Impartiality: 2
I was really unsure how to rate this book. I lean liberal/left-wing in most of my political views, and this is the first book I’ve read with an overtly conservative message, written by a conservative. I disagree with the reasoning behind a lot of his more general points in here and I do think there are many blind spots in his reasoning.
However, he is a fantastic writer and argues his points with wit and clarity. I really enjoyed reading this book, and got through it quite quickly.
Also, his examples and specific points were very powerful and made his general points more persuasive.
It’s always a good sign when you’d love to have a chat with the writer in person - because they are great company and you think think you’d learn a lot from them in doing so.
Douglas Murray definitely falls into that camp for me.
Summation:
Whether you agree with him politically or not, Murray is a really smart, funny, and enjoyable writer, and this is an interesting, topical subject.
challenging
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
I can understand why Douglas Murray can evoke strong emotions. I will say, I wouldn't necessarily agree with everything Mr Murray says (all the time), however I consider this book to contain some very important questions and important ideas for the times.
More discussion and respect between people, not less, is much needed in this age. We face many challenges on many levels (environmentally,demographically,economically,politically) and the inability to speak with and respect people with whom we may disagree is certainly one of our current weaknesses.
More discussion and respect between people, not less, is much needed in this age. We face many challenges on many levels (environmentally,demographically,economically,politically) and the inability to speak with and respect people with whom we may disagree is certainly one of our current weaknesses.
Interesting to hear reflection on some of the issues from Natives (plus some not in Natives) from the 'other' (Tory) side. Had an irritating tendency to conflate anecdotes with concrete evidence and there were plenty of slippery-slope-isms and a lot of whataboutery. Thought-provoking section on the unpleasant and illiberal practice of no platforming that seems to be becoming more widespread at unis (in particular) in the UK.