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The Way We'll Be: The Zogby Report on the Transformation of the American Dream
by
John Zogby
According to super pollster John Zogby, whom The Washington Post calls “the maverick predictor,” the conventional wisdom about the United States–that we’re isolated from the world, politically fragmented, and inclined toward material pleasure–isn’t just flawed; it may be 180 degrees from the truth. In this far-reaching and illuminating look at contemporary American life, Z...more
Hardcover, 256 pages
Published
August 12th 2008
by Random House
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Bookmarks Magazine
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Like the data Zogby studies, reactions to his book were somewhat difficult to gauge. Several critics dismissed him as hopelessly optimistic, but they didn't seriously attempt to debunk his data. Others offered an unqualified embrace of his vision of the future, but they didn't provide any qualifications of their own. Perhaps the most reasonable response came from the Wall Street Journal. Michael Barone stressed that readers should keep in mind that Zogby is an unconventional pollster who sometim
...more
I usually like geekish books like this, with stories and stats, but this one had too many stats and not enough stories. In listening to it, I felt that the author was trying to make a case that his point-in-time survey snapshots, which are sliced and diced in literally thousands of ways, imply major changes in the way people think. I kept wondering while listening (audiobook!) whether his surveys are backward-looking, reflecting a point in time, or if they could be prescriptive, predicting futur...more
I recently saw this book on a listing of various books that President Obama should make a point to read. Authored by John Zogby, whose polls we all breathlessly await during election season, this book attempts to use polling data to highlight shifts in our culture. A few notes I took from the book are as follows:
● Where one shops, be it Wal-Mart and Kohl’s on the right or Fileen’s and Bloomingdale’s on the left, might be the most important predictor of voting patterns.
● A pot...more
● Where one shops, be it Wal-Mart and Kohl’s on the right or Fileen’s and Bloomingdale’s on the left, might be the most important predictor of voting patterns.
● A pot...more
Utica-based pollster John Zogby paints a fairly optimistic portrait of the near-future based on his poll results. The questions and their results are sometimes quirky, sometimes counterintuitive, sometimes just what you'd expect. He breaks it down in between with his thoughts on current events and where we might be headed. Interestingly enough, he doesn't appear to be unbiased...seems to lean a little to the left, which is fine with me, but I'm not sure how he's "supposed" to be w/r...more
John Zogby shares great insight in the way that culture is shifting in the United States and what ramifications those changes have on consumerism. He outlines specifically how the American Dream is changing and shares very interesting insight into the younger generation's values and how those values are motivating behavior and purchasing.
I loved this book. It was a bit of a heavy read at times because of the analytics and numbers that are shared, but definitely worth the read!
...more
I loved this book. It was a bit of a heavy read at times because of the analytics and numbers that are shared, but definitely worth the read!
...more
No wonder that John Zogby takes polling and surveys quite seriously. Looking into his crystal balls he sees hope in a young generation of Americans. Maybe it is possible to make all manner of predictions from polls and surveys, but I wonder.
It isn’t too surprising that people might answer questions in a way that makes them look good, but we have to trust that the number crunchers took social desirability into account. Maybe Mr. Zogby does so, but there’s is no specific mention of how that...more
It isn’t too surprising that people might answer questions in a way that makes them look good, but we have to trust that the number crunchers took social desirability into account. Maybe Mr. Zogby does so, but there’s is no specific mention of how that...more
Take some polling numbers. Now, extrapolate them. Ok, got it? Now, insert your personal opinions in the mix. Do you have something resembling objective? Most likely not. Now you understand my initial underlying concern with this book.
That being said, I came up with a formula for how to read this book. The moment what you're reading starts to sound remotely biased, skip to the next chapter. This will limit you to about 15 pages of solid reading, but fortunately, that reading m...more
That being said, I came up with a formula for how to read this book. The moment what you're reading starts to sound remotely biased, skip to the next chapter. This will limit you to about 15 pages of solid reading, but fortunately, that reading m...more
This is the second book I have read in the past month by a political pollster. The first, "Words that Work," by Frank Luntz, was a cynical look at how polling can help corporations and politicians paint themselves in the most flattering light and bamboozle a helpless public. John Zogby's book could not be more different. It is a deep, exhaustive look at some of the insights he has gained through decades of polling about the state of the American psyche, what people value, want they...more
I really enjoyed this book. First, it was a mini review about polling but primarily and it addressed trends for the country-where we , as a nation are headed. In the day to day dreariness of the world- with it's fears and loss- it was refreshing to hear optimistic news. Mr Zogby is a highly respected pollster and his trends and predictions are based on the social research of his surveys. What a treat.
James (JD) Dittes
added it
What I liked about this book was the enthusiasm with which Zogby gathers and analyzes numbers. Some of the data--particularly about "Kerry voters" and "Bush voters" seems dated now, but I think he's really on to something about this next generation and their unique views. Anyone in business or marketing will get some unique insights into the "globals" that Zogby has revealed.
Polls are among the most-maligned things about politics, but if you actually conduct them with an open mind you can tell a lot about the state of public attitudes. I've always found John Zogby to be flashy and overrated, but in this book he thoroughly interpolates a lot of attitudes that I've noticed in people my age and younger. The idea is that youngin's are more globally-minded than anybody, and that people are giving up on a materialism-based American dream and moving into more personally ...more
This book should serve as a warning to any pollster who likes to extrapolate big predictions from his data. Is was written before the financial crisis and the rise of the Tea Party. Still, I think Zogby has done some valuable work and I do agree with him that there are reasons for optimism about the future of the U.S. I do think though that he makes too many sweeping conclusions and time did not prove him right on everything. He does, however, say that Barack Obama was the ideal candidate to...more
Good read, unusually optimistic about the future of the United States. As a college student its refreshing to hear someone say that we will be something great ourselves, and not another demotion of the American Dream
If you like spew out random facts at dinner, this is the book for you. If you opposed Prop 8 in California and are asking yourself, "What is going on in this country?" then this book is for you. This book is hopeful and interesting as it depicts the "First Globals" generation that is growing up in an age ofhe internet. Zogby describes the "First Globals" as a group of people that are more open minded to issues regarding diversity, homosexuality and global expansi...more
Very interesting take on the future by John Zogby who does all those surveys.......
Carrianna
marked it as to-read
just heard him speak at the World Affairs Council...looking forward to reading his book
Should have been called "The Way We Were." Poll result after poll result of the way that we think. Some very interesting. Most all very dry.
Good parts included the one that showed voter demographics coincided better with were we shopped (i.e. Walmart shoppers overwhelmingly conservative) than where we live (blue state, red state). Showed some interesting trends, nothing earth-shattering though.
Good parts included the one that showed voter demographics coincided better with were we shopped (i.e. Walmart shoppers overwhelmingly conservative) than where we live (blue state, red state). Showed some interesting trends, nothing earth-shattering though.
Great book - really informative and hopeful.
I love people who back up their claims with data! The author is the founder of the polling company, Zogby Int'l, and his premise is that polling data show that Americans are far ahead of pundits and politicians when it comes to dealing with 21st century realities such as living within economic limits, embracing diversity,and becoming more internationalist and consensus oriented. He sees this as a watershed moment, much like 1800 or 1860, when we as a nation had to redefine our values. Well writt...more
Jen
marked it as to-read
recommended by Mark Noll
306.0973 Zog
A light read that will make progressives feel a bit better about some of the emerging trends in upcoming generations. Basically a generation of "European" Americans on the way regarding things like global and environmental awareness and a willingness to live within ones means. Zogby's illustrates clearly and hammers his points home, but the writing never becomes terribly engaging or insightful at a level higher than your typical talking head on TV.
Fascinating and optimistic picture of what currently drives American people and their voting habits. Written early in 2008, this book makes utterly clear why Barack Obama won the 2008 election.
I enjoyed reading about American culture through statistical trends. It was also helpful for someone like me who has a bare minimum of stats knowledge to reference. Zogby gives insight on how to interpret the numbers.
Since Zogby is a pollster this book is scads of poll information so I mostly scimmed this book.
if you are not into politics, this book is NOT for you.....I found out the hard way.....lol
i just didn't really care that much. i think his ideas are probably spot on but meh...
Ultra-pollster Zogby looks at the evolution of America’s views on many things, explaining the art and science of the polling world along the way. The book is rather interesting though possibly a little over-detailed in places where we already get the picture, John. Great insights into America, though, from things like how where people shop being a better indicator of how they will vote than most things you would think of before that (Wal-Mart shoppers are republicans, counterintuitive to the w...more
Very readable and excellent compilation of Zogby surveys that takes a good look at what America may be evolving towards. Very hopeful.
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“AN IMPERIALIST POWER THAT ACTS ON ITS OWN REGARDLESS OF WHAT THE REST OF THE WORLD THINKS. 18–29 30–49 50–64 65+ Improper/Somewhat improper 86% 73 69 67 Somewhat proper/Proper 3 13 20 17 No other group we studied—not Democrats generally, not self-described progressives or libertarians, not readers of The New York Times—had a greater spread between the two extremes.”
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“nothing knee-jerk about their politics. Two out of three of them say that abortion is “always” or “usually” morally wrong. They are far more likely than voters age thirty and over to identify themselves as politically “strictly independent.” In fact, more than any other generation I’ve tracked in my polling, Globals seem determined to find a middle ground on the hot-button issues of the day and to decide each one on a case by case basis, not because their party leaders are urging them in one direction or the other. I like to tell audiences that while First Globals might not be more...”
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