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199 reviews for:
A Generation of Sociopaths: How the Baby Boomers Betrayed America
Bruce Cannon Gibney
3.36 AVERAGE
199 reviews for:
A Generation of Sociopaths: How the Baby Boomers Betrayed America
Bruce Cannon Gibney
3.36 AVERAGE
Messy arguments that don't flow well. Cherry picked research--correlation isn't causation. There are tik-tok videos that better encapsulate how Boomers harmed the US.
slow-paced
As a millennial I was totally prepared to like this book. I was even prepared to suspend belief a little on the whole diagnosing a whole generation as sociopaths thing. And the writing is good enough that I thought maybe if I got to the economics part it might get a 3-star review.
Unfortunately I had to give up because Gibney simply doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about and doesn’t delve it to anything long enough for you to fact check it (is he the human equivalent to 5-minute crafts?).
A great example is a brief paragraph about the rising obesity epidemic - Gibney argues that this is evidence of sociopathy because he is clearly a libertarian subscribing to the view that obesity is only about personal responsibility. It ignores the way that choice is limited by where you live, or the fact that the boomers grew up during a period where the sugar industry worked relentlessly to put sugar in everything and demonise fat. Gibney has such a myopic view that he misses important nuance.
The book feels like Gibney is trying to pull a magic trick on millennials - pointing the finger at boomers so we won’t look behind the curtain. Like the chapter on Vietnam draft dodgers that was really about rich white men avoiding war, not boomers. And basically anything to do with the senator behaviour.
Unfortunately I had to give up because Gibney simply doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about and doesn’t delve it to anything long enough for you to fact check it (is he the human equivalent to 5-minute crafts?).
A great example is a brief paragraph about the rising obesity epidemic - Gibney argues that this is evidence of sociopathy because he is clearly a libertarian subscribing to the view that obesity is only about personal responsibility. It ignores the way that choice is limited by where you live, or the fact that the boomers grew up during a period where the sugar industry worked relentlessly to put sugar in everything and demonise fat. Gibney has such a myopic view that he misses important nuance.
The book feels like Gibney is trying to pull a magic trick on millennials - pointing the finger at boomers so we won’t look behind the curtain. Like the chapter on Vietnam draft dodgers that was really about rich white men avoiding war, not boomers. And basically anything to do with the senator behaviour.
challenging
informative
reflective
slow-paced
This was a bit disappointing in the end. While I appreciate the perspective, having that voice come from someone in venture capitalism was a little like listening to the phone call coming from inside the house...and I think some of the "blame" placed on Boomers was done so unfairly--which is really too bad, when you consider exactly how many things are their fault. Overall, I'm glad I read this, but I don't agree with the author and I think his arguments are weak.
challenging
informative
sad
slow-paced
a good way to raise one's blood pressure and depress one's faith in humanity.
DNF muy repetitivo, entendí el concepto en las primeras paginas, no parece necesario seguir.
Not an enjoyable read largely focused on economics which would be fine if this book was not heavily advertised as a more sociological take on the issue. I was promised a deeper understanding of the boomer generation but the only thing I'm left with now is an extensive knowledge on American tax policy. Not to mention the claim of boomers' sociopathic tendencies is based on maybe two things and zero credentials of any kind so do with that what you will.
Sometimes a little too in the weeds for me but for the most part WOW. Very well argued.
challenging
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
medium-paced
informative
slow-paced