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3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Horrible writing voice. Very dishonest and ingenuine. Terrible book.
Diversity of ideas is a great asset to a free and democratic society. A good read.
In our world, many erroneous ideas persist—what Saad refers to as parasitic ideas. These often stem from cognitive biases or a lack of understanding in certain areas. Learning to identify and counteract such ideas is undeniably important and could significantly improve our world. Unfortunately, this is not what Saad’s book accomplishes, despite the author ambitiously labelling it a 'mind vaccine.' Instead, the book devolves into an attack on academia and scientific thinking. Rather than offering tools to overcome parasitic ideas, it employs pseudoscientific, anti-intellectual, and misleading arguments to enable the spread of the parasitic ideas Saad appears to favor.
An example from the book is when Saad argues that one is not a denier for asking to see evidence that climate change is real.
This general statement is indeed correct, but if Saad's intention was not merely to provide climate deniers with a self-congratulatory justification for rejecting science, then addressing the parasitic idea of denying well-established scientific findings requires more than this surface-level validation.
However, Saad never takes the next logical step: examining the scientific consensus, evaluating the evidence, or conducting a check to find what the prevailing picture among scientists working on this topic is. Instead, his focus lies on providing strategies to dismiss scientific findings and spread parasitic ideas to others.
Saad himself appears to have succumbed to this parasitic idea, as evidenced by his frequent posts on Twitter promoting anti-scientific rhetoric and denying the reality of anthropogenic climate change.
In any other context, this book would be recognized as propaganda.
It is, in essence, the modern equivalent of the fossil fuel industry's infamous campaigns built on flawed science and misinformation. Just ignore.
An example from the book is when Saad argues that one is not a denier for asking to see evidence that climate change is real.
This general statement is indeed correct, but if Saad's intention was not merely to provide climate deniers with a self-congratulatory justification for rejecting science, then addressing the parasitic idea of denying well-established scientific findings requires more than this surface-level validation.
However, Saad never takes the next logical step: examining the scientific consensus, evaluating the evidence, or conducting a check to find what the prevailing picture among scientists working on this topic is. Instead, his focus lies on providing strategies to dismiss scientific findings and spread parasitic ideas to others.
Saad himself appears to have succumbed to this parasitic idea, as evidenced by his frequent posts on Twitter promoting anti-scientific rhetoric and denying the reality of anthropogenic climate change.
In any other context, this book would be recognized as propaganda.
It is, in essence, the modern equivalent of the fossil fuel industry's infamous campaigns built on flawed science and misinformation. Just ignore.
funny
informative
reflective
medium-paced
The Parasitic Mind by Gad Saad is a compelling read that challenges the dominance of irrationality in today’s cultural landscape. Saad, with sharp wit and clear logic, dissects how destructive "idea pathogens" have infected common sense, providing an inspiring voice of reason. It’s refreshing to see an intelligent thinker who fearlessly confronts the madness of radical liberal ideologies with evidence-based arguments and unapologetic courage.
challenging
informative
inspiring
fast-paced
Slightly politically incorrect, and definitely not unbiased, but it was a good read in general. The author seems passionate about the cause, and as much as I don't agree with the unabashed thoughts, it made me rethink a lot of priors. What more can one wish for!
informative
reflective
fast-paced
When the world seems to be going a little crazy (as is certainly true now, in our post-truth, feelings-over-facts culture), my first response is to turn to Scripture to be reminded of all that is good and true and beautiful. But I also look to other sources of rationality to understand how we have gotten to a place of so much madness. Gad Saad, whom I first encountered in a recent interview with Jillian Michaels, is one such source. As an expert in behavioral sciences, Saad brings his unique perspective on human behavior to this book that exposes the bad ideas (which he calls “idea pathogens”) that are destroying common sense in favor of political correctness.
Saad begins with a synopsis of the factors that led him to become a warrior against destructive ideologies, including his escape from the Lebanese Civil War as a child and his decades as a professor. He goes on to identify several specific “anti-science, anti-reason, and illiberal idea pathogens including postmodernism, radical feminism, and transgender activism” before examining the mindset that has allowed such pathogens to take root. Finally, he warns against remaining passive bystanders in the battle of ideas and offers advice for those hoping to engage in the fight for reason and freedom of thought and speech.
Saad is not a Christian, so we are coming to this topic from very different worldviews; neverthless, I fully align with his pursuit of truth and freedom. Saad’s reasoning is sound, and his explanations are extremely reader-friendly. Saad’s tone is humorous and snarky, and though I would personally take a softer approach, it’s hard to deny the effectiveness of his satirical jabs at ridiculous modern ideologies.
This was published more than three years ago and unfortunately it is just as relevant (if not more relevant) today. I listened to this the week of the presidential elections, and the timing could not have been better.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
Saad begins with a synopsis of the factors that led him to become a warrior against destructive ideologies, including his escape from the Lebanese Civil War as a child and his decades as a professor. He goes on to identify several specific “anti-science, anti-reason, and illiberal idea pathogens including postmodernism, radical feminism, and transgender activism” before examining the mindset that has allowed such pathogens to take root. Finally, he warns against remaining passive bystanders in the battle of ideas and offers advice for those hoping to engage in the fight for reason and freedom of thought and speech.
Saad is not a Christian, so we are coming to this topic from very different worldviews; neverthless, I fully align with his pursuit of truth and freedom. Saad’s reasoning is sound, and his explanations are extremely reader-friendly. Saad’s tone is humorous and snarky, and though I would personally take a softer approach, it’s hard to deny the effectiveness of his satirical jabs at ridiculous modern ideologies.
This was published more than three years ago and unfortunately it is just as relevant (if not more relevant) today. I listened to this the week of the presidential elections, and the timing could not have been better.
My Rating: 4 Stars // Book Format: Audiobook
Dude was pompus and oblivious to his privilege