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Why We Hate Us: American Discontent in the New Millennium
Americans are as safe, well fed, securely sheltered, long-lived, free, and healthy as any human beings who have ever lived on the planet. But we are down on America. So why do we hate us? According to Dick Meyer, the following items on this (much abbreviated) list are some of the contributors to our deep disenchantment with our own
Cell-phone talkers broadcasting the intimate details of their lives in public spaces
Worship of self-awareness, self-realization, and self-fulfillment
T-shirts that read, “Eat Me”
Facebook, MySpace, and kids being taught to market themselves
High-level cheating in business and sports
Reality television and the cosmetic surgery boom
Multinational corporations that claim, “We care about you.”
The decline of organic communities
A line of cosmetics called “S.L.U.T.”
The phony red state–blue state divide
The penetration of OmniMarketing into OmniMedia and the insinuation of both into every facet of our lives
You undoubtedly could add to the list with hardly a moment’s thought. In Why We Hate Us , Meyer absolutely nails America’s early-twenty-first-century mood disorder. He points out the most widespread carriers of the why-we-hate-us germs, including the belligerence of partisan politics that perverts our democracy, the decline of once common manners, the vulgarity of Hollywood entertainment, the superficiality and untrustworthiness of the news media, the cult of celebrity, and the disappearance of authentic neighborhoods and voluntary organizations (the kind that have actual meetings where one can hobnob instead of just clicking in an online contribution).
Meyer argues—with biting wit and observations that make you want to shout, “Yes! I hate that too!”—that when the social, spiritual, and political turmoil that followed the sixties collided with the technological and media revolution at the turn of the century, something inside us hit overload. American culture no longer reflects our own values. As a result, we are now morally and existentially tired, disoriented, anchorless, and defensive. We hate us and we wonder why.
Why We Hate Us reveals why we do and also offers a thoughtful and uplifting prescription for breaking out of our current morass and learning how to hate us less. It is a penetrating but always accessible Culture of Narcissism for a new generation, and it carries forward ideas that resounded with readers in bestsellers such as On Bullshit and Bowling Alone.
Cell-phone talkers broadcasting the intimate details of their lives in public spaces
Worship of self-awareness, self-realization, and self-fulfillment
T-shirts that read, “Eat Me”
Facebook, MySpace, and kids being taught to market themselves
High-level cheating in business and sports
Reality television and the cosmetic surgery boom
Multinational corporations that claim, “We care about you.”
The decline of organic communities
A line of cosmetics called “S.L.U.T.”
The phony red state–blue state divide
The penetration of OmniMarketing into OmniMedia and the insinuation of both into every facet of our lives
You undoubtedly could add to the list with hardly a moment’s thought. In Why We Hate Us , Meyer absolutely nails America’s early-twenty-first-century mood disorder. He points out the most widespread carriers of the why-we-hate-us germs, including the belligerence of partisan politics that perverts our democracy, the decline of once common manners, the vulgarity of Hollywood entertainment, the superficiality and untrustworthiness of the news media, the cult of celebrity, and the disappearance of authentic neighborhoods and voluntary organizations (the kind that have actual meetings where one can hobnob instead of just clicking in an online contribution).
Meyer argues—with biting wit and observations that make you want to shout, “Yes! I hate that too!”—that when the social, spiritual, and political turmoil that followed the sixties collided with the technological and media revolution at the turn of the century, something inside us hit overload. American culture no longer reflects our own values. As a result, we are now morally and existentially tired, disoriented, anchorless, and defensive. We hate us and we wonder why.
Why We Hate Us reveals why we do and also offers a thoughtful and uplifting prescription for breaking out of our current morass and learning how to hate us less. It is a penetrating but always accessible Culture of Narcissism for a new generation, and it carries forward ideas that resounded with readers in bestsellers such as On Bullshit and Bowling Alone.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2008
14 people are currently reading
310 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 50 reviews
September 7, 2008
What would happen if you let Andy Rooney off his meds?
Grumble grumble....kids today and their blogging and the road rage and the short attention spans and the no religion and the sex and the drugs and who turned off Matlock blahdeblahzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
There is a book that needs to be written about the modern malaise and why we're so prosperous and yet so miserable. This is not that book. This book is not even six degrees of separation from that book. This is a jumbled pile of Post-It Notes about everything today that remotely annoys the author, related or not, that someone unwisely decided to bind into book form and sell for money. Avoid, and instruct others to do so as well.
Grumble grumble....kids today and their blogging and the road rage and the short attention spans and the no religion and the sex and the drugs and who turned off Matlock blahdeblahzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.
There is a book that needs to be written about the modern malaise and why we're so prosperous and yet so miserable. This is not that book. This book is not even six degrees of separation from that book. This is a jumbled pile of Post-It Notes about everything today that remotely annoys the author, related or not, that someone unwisely decided to bind into book form and sell for money. Avoid, and instruct others to do so as well.
December 21, 2008
If you regularly respond to newsman and pundits that you hear on the telly, hurling epitaphs and wondering if everyone has gone quite mad -this is the book for you! A really well-written book that makes a lot of sense in this senseless world. May not make things any better, but it was refreshing to read something that was fresh, honest and made some sense for a change.
September 1, 2008
As I started reading this book I thought, wow! yeah, that's why I get so upset with Americans! Then I kept reading and felt guilty and upset with myself because I too have a lot of the annoying American habbits. Then about half way through the book I got really bored. So bored that every time I picked up the book and started reading I'd pass right out and have a good long nap. (Man, those were some good naps) I didn't finish this book before it was due back to the library. I couldn't renew it either because there was a list of other's waiting to read it next. Good luck guys!! Hope you can get through where I have failed.
August 28, 2008
The thesis of this book is that American culture is in the midst of a crisis brought on by narcissism, a crisis marked by belligerence, phoniness, and isolation. Why else would people yell into their cell phones in public places, or bellow obscenities at the ref while seated next to a kid at a football game? For this cultural crisis, author Dick Meyer blames the ethos of the sixties gone too far -- social liberation that has freed us too absolutely from the bonds of community and good manners. Meyer lists as willing partners in this deterioration the media, especially marketers, and politicians, but indicts nearly all of us as accomplices.
Okay, so clearly he's onto something. The problem is that there is little here that we don't all already know.
As an antidote for all this phoniness, this deterioration of "social capital," Meyer prescribes a revival of authenticity. Authenticity is the watchword of the entire book, but 250 pages later I still don't really know what it means. The only definition he provides for it is explicitly Potter Stewart-esque -- I know it when I see it. So when Meyer suggests that the key to regaining happiness is "making decisions for authentic reasons," I don't find the advice especially helpful. Does he mean our decisions should proceed from our visions of our best selves? But he specifically condemns soul-searching throughout the book as a form of self-worship. Does he mean our decisions should be pro-community? But "authentic" is a strange word to apply to that; Meyer takes for granted that when we act authentically we act with respect to those around us.
So overall there is some wisdom in here, but much of what Meyer has to say is either obvious or vague. The best lesson I took away from the book is that we as a culture and as individuals should be more mindful of how social change affects us, and not submit to it without due diligence.
Okay, so clearly he's onto something. The problem is that there is little here that we don't all already know.
As an antidote for all this phoniness, this deterioration of "social capital," Meyer prescribes a revival of authenticity. Authenticity is the watchword of the entire book, but 250 pages later I still don't really know what it means. The only definition he provides for it is explicitly Potter Stewart-esque -- I know it when I see it. So when Meyer suggests that the key to regaining happiness is "making decisions for authentic reasons," I don't find the advice especially helpful. Does he mean our decisions should proceed from our visions of our best selves? But he specifically condemns soul-searching throughout the book as a form of self-worship. Does he mean our decisions should be pro-community? But "authentic" is a strange word to apply to that; Meyer takes for granted that when we act authentically we act with respect to those around us.
So overall there is some wisdom in here, but much of what Meyer has to say is either obvious or vague. The best lesson I took away from the book is that we as a culture and as individuals should be more mindful of how social change affects us, and not submit to it without due diligence.
February 3, 2010
This was an excellent book. Dick Meyer has tapped into a strong undercurrent of discontent within American society that most of us are not aware of but feel the effects of all the time. Americans are more interested in living their lives vicariously through reality-based TV shows and of buying bigger and bigger houses and bigger and bigger cars but they don't understand the angst which drives them to behave this way. Our communities are becoming less and less cohesive because we fail to make real connections with the people around us. Our lives are becoming consumed by what Meyer's calls "Omnimedia" which dramatically influences our choices in life.
Meyer's notes that we are losing our connections to one another and to our communities more now than we have been in the past. And this is driven by a multitude of factors. We are becoming more Balkanized than ever before -- gridlock in government, defined into "Red" and "Blue", "Right" and "Left", "Conservative" and Liberal" -- it's become so pervasive and so insidious that we seek to escape at any cost.
What he argues for is that we need to redevelop our connections, both within and outside of, our communities. We also need to redevelop our moral temperament so that we understand that pluralism is good so long as we can maintain our cohesion as a society and not become Balkanized to the point that our nation falls apart. Overall this was an awesome book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has sensed this undercurrent of angst and wondered what it really is.
Meyer's notes that we are losing our connections to one another and to our communities more now than we have been in the past. And this is driven by a multitude of factors. We are becoming more Balkanized than ever before -- gridlock in government, defined into "Red" and "Blue", "Right" and "Left", "Conservative" and Liberal" -- it's become so pervasive and so insidious that we seek to escape at any cost.
What he argues for is that we need to redevelop our connections, both within and outside of, our communities. We also need to redevelop our moral temperament so that we understand that pluralism is good so long as we can maintain our cohesion as a society and not become Balkanized to the point that our nation falls apart. Overall this was an awesome book and I would highly recommend it to anyone who has sensed this undercurrent of angst and wondered what it really is.
October 28, 2008
to be perfectly honest, I didn't finish this book ... I started reading it the day after attending the NLDS game where the Dodgers advanced to the NLCS and I could clearly see idiots outlined in Mr. Meyer's book by recalling my experience in the cheap seats the previous night. but after a few days I got annoyed at reading about how everyone in American sucks or thinks something else sucks so I stopped.
how I understood Mr/ Meyer's "solution" to America's problem, is to resepect one another and give people the benefit of the doubt. not a new concept if you just read the Bible (love others above yourself) :)
how I understood Mr/ Meyer's "solution" to America's problem, is to resepect one another and give people the benefit of the doubt. not a new concept if you just read the Bible (love others above yourself) :)
October 14, 2014
The author points out, with copious examples, that most Americans don't approve of American institutions and culture. His thesis is that we suffer from inauthenticity. His suggestions in the last chapter are a pretty good start to living a more authentic life, and I liked his distinction between pluralism, which comes from knowing that you don't have the answers, but have to make choices based on what you do know, and relativism, which all too often is interpreted as saying that nothing is wrong, in encouraging pluralism over monism (there is one font from which all truth pours forth, that being the one I have).
August 12, 2009
Took me ages to read this as I would get through maybe a few pages before I would have to stop and think about what I had just read. Some of the ideas and the implications of what I had just read would take me the rest of the night to thoroughly work out in my head and apply to personal experience. A lot of the book reads like common sense but at the same time it's stuff that is a helpful reminder. It's also nice to have the author articulate nagging things that are on the tip of my tongue but that I am unable to fully piece together and express.
January 18, 2014
Probably the best book I read in 2013. If you feel a visceral disgust for the U.S. and wonder what went wrong with that once great nation, look no farther. This book is a most incisive expose of the things plunging the U.S. into its present dark depression: the snark, the cancerous media, the unrelenting culture of bullshit, the venality. Despite perhaps sounding simple, the book's thesis cuts pretty deep and is well-argued and impartial in delivery. An excellent conversation point for those of you who remain in America rather than, like me, emigrating to greener grass abroad.
October 22, 2008
This started out well. It was interesting and engaging. The author made a lot of salient points. And then, well, I just completely lost interest. It struck me as an old man's rant that came down to the simple point, "Americans hate themselves, because they hate modern life." Great, thanks for the newsflash.
Want to read
August 14, 2008I saw an interview with the author, but since it was on The Colbert Report, and Colbert just interrupts.. I don't really know what it's about. But I'm intruiged. I just hope it's not as snobby as Cult of the Amatuer.
November 27, 2024
A paradox that bewilders me: America today. How can we be so affluent, so able to instantly satisfy any need, no real concerns over having enough food or clothing or shelter, and yet be so miserable?
Why We Hate Us addresses this paradox. Here's what I took away from this book:
The biggest problem seems to be that people have no real connections. Almost half of America feels isolated. And our lives are shallow, not deep. A quote from the book:
"With all our riches and freedoms, we have assembled what we thinly call 'lifestyles'---assemblages of recreation, work, consumer goods, freely chosen beliefs, family arrangements, and a great deal of media. Our new arrangements are not providing the nourishment we need, the warm relationships and ready guides. The older, connective tissues of American life are fraying, and the new, artificial ones are weak."
I had to put this book down several times. It was horribly depressing. But it addresses a very important question: Why is it that we live in the most affluent society that has ever existed yet we are not pleased with ourselves? Like most books of this sort, the author spends twenty chapters addressing the problem and one tiny chapter offering solutions.
One of the author's strongest recommendations is to limit media. I agree. I gave up tv three years ago and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
Why We Hate Us addresses this paradox. Here's what I took away from this book:
The biggest problem seems to be that people have no real connections. Almost half of America feels isolated. And our lives are shallow, not deep. A quote from the book:
"With all our riches and freedoms, we have assembled what we thinly call 'lifestyles'---assemblages of recreation, work, consumer goods, freely chosen beliefs, family arrangements, and a great deal of media. Our new arrangements are not providing the nourishment we need, the warm relationships and ready guides. The older, connective tissues of American life are fraying, and the new, artificial ones are weak."
I had to put this book down several times. It was horribly depressing. But it addresses a very important question: Why is it that we live in the most affluent society that has ever existed yet we are not pleased with ourselves? Like most books of this sort, the author spends twenty chapters addressing the problem and one tiny chapter offering solutions.
One of the author's strongest recommendations is to limit media. I agree. I gave up tv three years ago and it was one of the best decisions I ever made.
October 15, 2012
The concluding chapter lifted this book out of one-star territory. Which makes me think that it should have been the beginning of the book, where Meyer's argument should have started from, and not a (very loose) tie up of the mess that came before.
Despite his stated attempt to avoid doing so, most of Meyer's arguments sound like a grumpy old man nostalgically pining for a golden age and yelling at the kids to get off his lawn. Not only that, his points are jumbled and poorly connected, the few gems of insight burried haphazardly among confusing tirades about "phoniness," "authenticity," and "selfism." At times, he somewhat cogently identified problems related to the decline in "civic capital" and manners (closely tied to community trust) in American society. More of the time, he was for some reason going off on how non-traditional religions are phony and feed selfism, or that there is some poorly explained but critical difference between phoniness and hypocrisy, or that customer service people being pleasant is somehow phony while good manners are authentic. At times conflicting (to his credit, he mentions more than once that most people are philosophically and ideologically inconsistent, part of being human), often rambling, Meyer rarely writes anything that jumps out as being particularly new or unique in its critique of modern culture.
A few interesting gems include an analogy of character and politeness (character being that which is "etched" or "engraved" on our psyche, with politeness being the "polished surface" that overlays our character and which we present to the world); a distinction between political Balkanization and polarization, and how a closely (not deeply) divided electorate choosing between two equally unrepresentative choices leads to the appearance of bitter polarization; and the conclusion, which introduces the concept of "value pluralism" or "philosophical pragmatism," which basically holds that there are multiple conceptions of the Good and the True, and judgments should be made based on practical results that make people better and that best respect these diverse faiths (which he distinctly differentiated from relativism, which was strange because it sounded exactly like what I understood relativism to be). Meyer makes frequent reference to the work of Isaiah Berlin in this section, which makes me think I would much rather be reading his books.
Bottom line, this book was never very interesting. The style is cranky and many of the conclusions are questionable and/or poorly (or not at all) supported. The fact that this guy spent his career in journalism is not aparent anywhere, to my mind. He makes frequent reference to other works that probably tell a similar story with better focus and clarity. My life would have been no worse for not having read this book, that is for certain.
Despite his stated attempt to avoid doing so, most of Meyer's arguments sound like a grumpy old man nostalgically pining for a golden age and yelling at the kids to get off his lawn. Not only that, his points are jumbled and poorly connected, the few gems of insight burried haphazardly among confusing tirades about "phoniness," "authenticity," and "selfism." At times, he somewhat cogently identified problems related to the decline in "civic capital" and manners (closely tied to community trust) in American society. More of the time, he was for some reason going off on how non-traditional religions are phony and feed selfism, or that there is some poorly explained but critical difference between phoniness and hypocrisy, or that customer service people being pleasant is somehow phony while good manners are authentic. At times conflicting (to his credit, he mentions more than once that most people are philosophically and ideologically inconsistent, part of being human), often rambling, Meyer rarely writes anything that jumps out as being particularly new or unique in its critique of modern culture.
A few interesting gems include an analogy of character and politeness (character being that which is "etched" or "engraved" on our psyche, with politeness being the "polished surface" that overlays our character and which we present to the world); a distinction between political Balkanization and polarization, and how a closely (not deeply) divided electorate choosing between two equally unrepresentative choices leads to the appearance of bitter polarization; and the conclusion, which introduces the concept of "value pluralism" or "philosophical pragmatism," which basically holds that there are multiple conceptions of the Good and the True, and judgments should be made based on practical results that make people better and that best respect these diverse faiths (which he distinctly differentiated from relativism, which was strange because it sounded exactly like what I understood relativism to be). Meyer makes frequent reference to the work of Isaiah Berlin in this section, which makes me think I would much rather be reading his books.
Bottom line, this book was never very interesting. The style is cranky and many of the conclusions are questionable and/or poorly (or not at all) supported. The fact that this guy spent his career in journalism is not aparent anywhere, to my mind. He makes frequent reference to other works that probably tell a similar story with better focus and clarity. My life would have been no worse for not having read this book, that is for certain.
Want to read
August 8, 2008Each of us has had this type of “what has happened to this country” conversation – and Meyer’s does a good job at putting it all together and with laying out suggestions to get us back on track. The challenge - just like any other road to recovery you gotta really really want to change before you’re able to take that first step. "Dick Meyer has done the impossible — he diagnoses the self-loathing, moral confusion and ennui that infect supersized America without hectoring us and badgering us, and without tiresome self-righteousness or smugness. Why We Hate Us takes us on a rollicking, laugh-out-loud ride across the brittle American landscape, and by 'us' I mean all of us -- liberal and conservative, black and white, city-dwellers, suburbanites and farmers. Dick Meyer understands that our national culture is on life-support, and he has thought long and hard about how to resuscitate it. Read this book, if not for you, than for your children, and for the America they will inherit."
—Jeffrey Goldberg, Atlantic Monthly national correspondent and author of Prisoners: A Story of Friendship and Terror
“A widely respected player in national politics, Dick Meyer has transcended the game most Americans hate to describe a larger context of relentless marketing, omnipresent pseudo-events and above all the enshrinement of phoniness that pollute the public square. Mixing original research, a keen, analytic mind and mordant, wicked wit, Why We Hate Us should be the bible for the vast majority of Americans who tell pollsters the country is on the wrong track but aren't clear why.”
—Thomas Oliphant, journalist and bestselling author of Praying for Gil Hodges: A Memoir of the 1955 World Series and One Family's Love of the Brooklyn Dodgers
—Jeffrey Goldberg, Atlantic Monthly national correspondent and author of Prisoners: A Story of Friendship and Terror
“A widely respected player in national politics, Dick Meyer has transcended the game most Americans hate to describe a larger context of relentless marketing, omnipresent pseudo-events and above all the enshrinement of phoniness that pollute the public square. Mixing original research, a keen, analytic mind and mordant, wicked wit, Why We Hate Us should be the bible for the vast majority of Americans who tell pollsters the country is on the wrong track but aren't clear why.”
—Thomas Oliphant, journalist and bestselling author of Praying for Gil Hodges: A Memoir of the 1955 World Series and One Family's Love of the Brooklyn Dodgers
October 24, 2012
Lots of detail on things about modern life that irritate the author (phonies, marketing, politicians, narcissistic people who do cell yell in public.......) and some apparently heartfelt discussion of his preferred life of "authenticity".
Hard to put my finger on what got old about it for me before the end, but two possibilities:
(a) he seems very bright and admires some of the same writers I do (Robert Pirsig, Gregg Easterbrook, Alasdair MacIntyre......), so I think I found it particularly disappointing when he settled for the easy and obvious observations too often (Paris Hilton is well-known but less admirable than many less prominent people; got it, check, you're right);
(b) his positive recommendations never really came together for me. He plays fantasy baseball and acknowledges that it can be seen as a waste of time, but does so in an authentic, thoughtful, deliberate way so it's ok. I may well be missing the point, but offhand I don't think it makes any difference to my family or community whether I watch "Survivor" in a mindless fashion to relax after work vs. make a careful, mindful choice that watching Survivor is part of my authentic self.
Hard to put my finger on what got old about it for me before the end, but two possibilities:
(a) he seems very bright and admires some of the same writers I do (Robert Pirsig, Gregg Easterbrook, Alasdair MacIntyre......), so I think I found it particularly disappointing when he settled for the easy and obvious observations too often (Paris Hilton is well-known but less admirable than many less prominent people; got it, check, you're right);
(b) his positive recommendations never really came together for me. He plays fantasy baseball and acknowledges that it can be seen as a waste of time, but does so in an authentic, thoughtful, deliberate way so it's ok. I may well be missing the point, but offhand I don't think it makes any difference to my family or community whether I watch "Survivor" in a mindless fashion to relax after work vs. make a careful, mindful choice that watching Survivor is part of my authentic self.
April 4, 2012
Wow, some people really hate this book. Makes me wonder how many of them read it to the end.
No, the author is not just an old man ranting about "kids these days." As one of those "kids," I found his views very insightful. And he does have a solution to help fix some of these problems. I just don't think his solution will help.
After spending most of the book agreeing with his assessment of the problem, I couldn't agree with his solution. Apparently, we need values and value judgements, but as there is no moral absolute to base those values and judgements on, we need to just choose some. Or something like that. Honestly, it wasn't very clear.
I originally planned to give it four stars out of five, but the tepid ending bumped it down to three. (More like three and a half, but Goodreads does not allow for half stars. They should work on that.)
No, the author is not just an old man ranting about "kids these days." As one of those "kids," I found his views very insightful. And he does have a solution to help fix some of these problems. I just don't think his solution will help.
After spending most of the book agreeing with his assessment of the problem, I couldn't agree with his solution. Apparently, we need values and value judgements, but as there is no moral absolute to base those values and judgements on, we need to just choose some. Or something like that. Honestly, it wasn't very clear.
I originally planned to give it four stars out of five, but the tepid ending bumped it down to three. (More like three and a half, but Goodreads does not allow for half stars. They should work on that.)
November 10, 2008
I saw this author on The Colbert Report and thought his premise for the book was intriguing: everyone in American society hates some aspect of our culture, whether it is the lack of shame, the loss of civility and personal communication, or the increasing debauchery in our media, but no one will take ownership of American culture. In a sense, we have all become counter-culturists. But as I read the book, I got tired of the complaining, negative tone. I'm sure at some point he presents his solutions, but I already have my own solution for the things I hate: don't watch reality t.v., ask patients to turn off cell phones in my exam room, and vote for Obama to voice my dissatisfaction with the Republican Party.
October 15, 2008
Right now, Americans suffer from loathing of both ourselves and our culture. Dick Meyer, formerly with CBS News and now with NPR, analyzes this esteem issue. He reaches some conclusions that, while not exactly shocking or groundbreaking, are interesting in the way Meyer puts various observations - a plethora of choice, technological change, the "me generation" problems of the 1960's and '70's, the distrust of government, politics and corporations - together. Since he is a journalist, Meyer is very readable and pulls from a variety of sources. It is a thought-provoking and interesting read.
July 3, 2010
Why We Hate Us brought my life into perspective. Usually with these kinds of epiphany, I find myself trying to minimize these traits. However, I feel I am unable to make myself more authentic or stop from starting an argument when opportunity arises. Meyer offers a remedy to make us belittle our hatefulness. To sum it up in one sentence, he says “strive to make thoughtful choices using a sound moral temperament.” I guess acknowledging my hatefulness is a start.
Read more at
Paradox of My Character: A review of Dick Meyer's Why We Hate Us
Read more at
Paradox of My Character: A review of Dick Meyer's Why We Hate Us
August 2, 2011
I was hoping for something a little more prescriptive, but the author didn't recommend doing anything to fix the objectionable parts of our culture that I haven't already been doing for ten years now. However, most people don't take control of what images they consume, and could probably use the wake-up call this book provides so they will do something about it other than complain. Don't bother reading the book if you don't hate the rude and boorish behavior that permeates public life, since you'll just think the author is overly sensitive. And if you do hate the general lack of manners, the author is essentially preaching to the choir, so you'll get validation for your feelings.
August 23, 2008
I used to think that I was just cantankerous and old before my time, but this book beautifully articulates and explains why I (WE) am consistently discontented with the world around me. It has also opened my eyes to some of the problems that I have that I have always suspected were problems, but could not figure out exactly why or how. This is a very wise book by a very wise man - a man who understands that our lives, our characters, and our society need to achieve a respectful balance. Dick Meyer is the type of intellect, and man, that I hope to become one day. Excellent read!
December 19, 2008
I admit it, I timed out on this book. While the author did have some provocative thoughts here and there, the cynicism and negativity that he was complaining about was so pervasive that the book became unbearable. Talk about literary irony... I'm starting to understand why the one reviewer (?) compared Meyer to Andy Rooney off his meds--I couldn't even make it to the supposed "solution" to remedy why we hate us at the end. Nothing was safe from his acerbic tongue and I was left thinking it was time to write a blog post entitled "Why We LOVE Us", and quote President Hinckley...
July 21, 2010
I was hoping for something a bit more academic, instead this was an extended oped. I think his best insights was the content that is from his professional world. Other sections, where he tried to connect ideas felt tenuous and not fleshed out enough. I felt some of the content didn't move the reader forward and just re-illustrated points already made. I do agree with some of his points, I loath "omnimarketing" and "land of the fake." That said, I would have a beer with him.
December 1, 2010
I found this to be an interesting read and a refreshing critique of American society that for once did not get bogged down in defending a political view (i.e. explaining why "everyone else" is wrong) but did not dance around tough issues, either.
I would recommend checking it out.
(Full disclosure--I did not finish this book because it was due back at the library and was on hold. However, I would like to in the future.)
I would recommend checking it out.
(Full disclosure--I did not finish this book because it was due back at the library and was on hold. However, I would like to in the future.)
April 12, 2011
Fascinating. Some excellent points about being a responsible citizen; the best parts of this reminded me of Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance (which Meyer quotes not infrequently), with its focus on quality and depth over breadth. It runs out of steam at a few points and the final chapter feels like a jumbled mess of advice in comparison, but it's hard to argue with some of his observations about the absurdities of modern American life.
November 13, 2008
This is a great book. Meyer does a wonderful job of bringing together some of the best social commentary of the last decade to explore the question of why Americans complain so much about each other and themselves. Meyer offers recommendations toward community building and respectful living that I think are practical and helpful. Read this one. You'll like it.
February 4, 2009
OK don't get me wrong on this one, I loved the idea of it-- a book about how we don't trust our government and why and how we can make it better but I just couldn't get through it. I'm not used to book without plots and I got bored very easily with this book. Furthermore, I cannot read about politics as hard as I try.
February 7, 2015
The book was OK. A lot of the things he said I completely agreed with. I too get tired of hearing other people's cell phone conversations on a bus. Sometimes I felt like he was too hard on people and would repeat himself from time to time. I really enjoyed his final chapter of things people could do. Maybe he could have made it into two chapters and added more in that?
August 26, 2008
A recognizable portrait of our present age, cleanly wrought. Will neither convert nor instruct, but there is undeniable pleasure in looking into a mirror. Bonus: alludes to and expounds on Richard Ford's LAY OF THE LAND intelligently.
February 17, 2009
What a great eye-catching title! Dutifully I slogged my way through the book hoping to find some answer. Mostly I agree with a lot of the answers Mr. Meyer offered. He just took a long winding road to get there.
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