I'm not so much looking forward to Stephen's guest Dick Meyer (formerly of CBS, currently at NPR). The book is called "Why We Hate Us: American Discontent in the New Millennium," which is enough to make me wary. But I've seen enough overblown titles and misleading subtitles to give it a chance, going into the reviews. However:
In this study of American "social self-loathing" Meyer addresses why Americans have come to hate themselves (and each other) at a time of national prosperity and "relative peace."
...Um...? The Publisher's Weekly review continues:
In compelling, wonderfully cranky and comic prose, the author contends that the radical social changes of the 1960s and the recent technological revolution have drastically altered the pace of life, leaving Americans "morally and existentially tired, disoriented, anchorless, and defensive." In arguments familiar to any sociology student, Meyer describes how the rise of freedom of choice in nearly every aspect of American life has been accompanied by the enervation of traditional social institutions ("Our communities have been neutered, and our traditional, inherited moral, religious, and aesthetic sensibilities have been discredited"). Pointed critiques of political theater, celebrity culture, the rise of marketing and media conglomerates and the decline of manners elaborate on the growing trends of "bullshit, belligerence, and boorishness." Meyer is gleefully critical and very sincere in his concern for the state of American life; his practical suggestions urging readers to turn the tide of self-hate and phoniness are a must-read for anyone fed up with modern life.
Well, maybe it's not that bad. Although possibly it is.
I dunno. Maybe he's found an original take on the "everything's fallen apart since the 60s" meme. Not to mention the "traditional (religious) communities were best" thing. And don't forget the anti-corporate-media-and-homogenization thing (from Mr. 20-years-at-CBS).
But I'm having a hard time getting past this:
"Our communities have been neutered, and our traditional, inherited moral, religious, and aesthetic sensibilities have been discredited"
Um. How to say this gently?
See, Dick. I don't have to ask why people might hate me. See, I'm a liberal, feminist, lesbian Jew born and raised in New York. Any one of those essential qualities might be enough for some people -- because my very existence challenges ("discredits," even) their "traditional, inherited moral, religious" sensibilities. And hey, maybe they think I'm ugly and dress bad, too.
Thing is, as much as the world sucks right now? It sucked worse for people like me not all that long ago. And for people not like me in any way, except for sharing (exceeding, even) the suckage. Going backwards, to impose ways of living which have well-demonstrated flaws, will not increase the sum total of human happiness. Looking backwards, taking into account what worked and discarding what didn't, is something different. Dunno if that's anywhere in your book.
Although if you really want to decrease "American discontent in the new millennium"? Let's start with a living wage, guaranteed health care, decreasing the influence of that very small number of individuals, families and corporations who control so much of the economic and political landscape -- y'know, Dirty Fucking Hippie stuff. 'Cause religion is all well and good, but a full stomach,bank account, and the feeling that the future will suck less than the past really might do just as well.
I might skip this interview. Someone let me know if it's worth catching in reruns. |