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katethekitcat's review
4.0
*I received this book for free through Goodreads First Reads.*
In the conclusion of this book, Charles Derber notes that he often warns his college classes that they may require a "large dose of Prozac" by the semester's end. After reading this, I can see why. Derber's explanation of American society - indeed, global society - and its sociopaths habits left me in despair, disillusion, and seriously depressed with the state of the world today.
That being said, this book was absolutely brilliant. Traditionally, "sociopath" - practicing behaviors that benefit exclusively the self while causing harm to the greater community - is a label applied to individual, but Derber expertly explains how this tendencies are actually practiced in society as a whole. From our views on gun control to our economic policies to the unwillingness to fully invest in green practices, Derber breaks down how the very system of current capitalism is hurtling us down a road that will eventually lead to destruction.
Derber's book rang to true to me because all of his explanations were directly applied to the things I, as a recent college graduate, worry about: underemployment, the fact rapidly advancing technology is rendering jobs obsolete the growing gap between the rich and poor, the fact politicians are controlled by corporations. He fully examines, not just present America, but the country's entire history, breaking down the different "regimes" and wars that got us to our current viewpoint and analyzing why society has allowed such practices to continue. This book not only explains our currently position but is able to lay out, step by step, how we got here - crucial to understand the situation and what to do about it.
My favorite chapter was Derber's exploration of sociopath tendencies in individual conversations. He notes practices in which individuals, time and time again, turn the conversation to their own pursuits and interests, making everything about themselves and doing it in a way that has come to be socially accepted. Reading it was like a light bulb going off - I was suddenly able to articulate why some acquaintances seem so selfish even when they're friendly and helpful, and even note this behavior in my own life. Derber points out the behaviors in each of us that contribute to this larger problem of sociopath structures.
One flaw: Derber sets out his thesis in the first chapter and then proceeds to offer up example after example, but it sometimes borders on merely a rant on these various issues, as he often fails to explain why said examples prove the idea that society is sociopathic. As a reader, I didn't struggle to make the connections for myself, but it would have been nice to keep the larger thesis tied together. At points, I did get a little weary with the anti-capitalism rants without anything bringing them back to the larger idea.
Although depressing, Derber does wrap up the book with ways individuals can work to change society and examples of why we have reason to be hopeful.
Four and a half stars. Read this to shake up your worldview, and then tell all your friends to read as well.
In the conclusion of this book, Charles Derber notes that he often warns his college classes that they may require a "large dose of Prozac" by the semester's end. After reading this, I can see why. Derber's explanation of American society - indeed, global society - and its sociopaths habits left me in despair, disillusion, and seriously depressed with the state of the world today.
That being said, this book was absolutely brilliant. Traditionally, "sociopath" - practicing behaviors that benefit exclusively the self while causing harm to the greater community - is a label applied to individual, but Derber expertly explains how this tendencies are actually practiced in society as a whole. From our views on gun control to our economic policies to the unwillingness to fully invest in green practices, Derber breaks down how the very system of current capitalism is hurtling us down a road that will eventually lead to destruction.
Derber's book rang to true to me because all of his explanations were directly applied to the things I, as a recent college graduate, worry about: underemployment, the fact rapidly advancing technology is rendering jobs obsolete the growing gap between the rich and poor, the fact politicians are controlled by corporations. He fully examines, not just present America, but the country's entire history, breaking down the different "regimes" and wars that got us to our current viewpoint and analyzing why society has allowed such practices to continue. This book not only explains our currently position but is able to lay out, step by step, how we got here - crucial to understand the situation and what to do about it.
My favorite chapter was Derber's exploration of sociopath tendencies in individual conversations. He notes practices in which individuals, time and time again, turn the conversation to their own pursuits and interests, making everything about themselves and doing it in a way that has come to be socially accepted. Reading it was like a light bulb going off - I was suddenly able to articulate why some acquaintances seem so selfish even when they're friendly and helpful, and even note this behavior in my own life. Derber points out the behaviors in each of us that contribute to this larger problem of sociopath structures.
One flaw: Derber sets out his thesis in the first chapter and then proceeds to offer up example after example, but it sometimes borders on merely a rant on these various issues, as he often fails to explain why said examples prove the idea that society is sociopathic. As a reader, I didn't struggle to make the connections for myself, but it would have been nice to keep the larger thesis tied together. At points, I did get a little weary with the anti-capitalism rants without anything bringing them back to the larger idea.
Although depressing, Derber does wrap up the book with ways individuals can work to change society and examples of why we have reason to be hopeful.
Four and a half stars. Read this to shake up your worldview, and then tell all your friends to read as well.
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