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Philip Maher's Reviews > Black Rednecks and White Liberals
Black Rednecks and White Liberals
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The book is a perfect example of confirmation bias, as the author starts with a conclusion and gives cherry-picked facts to support it. Indeed, what he calls facts are actual facts, but one should think critically of them. If I formulate a hypothesis that the sun revolves around the earth then I can state the supportive observation that the sun moves across in the sky, certainly a fact. We obviously know that my original hypothesis is wrong but I use this example because this book is littered with similar ones. As a scientist, this flawed method of analysis is my biggest pet peeve in people. It tends to lead to two fallacies that are used in this book: using anecdotes as evidence and using facts as knowledge.
The notion that a culture was transplanted from Scotland to blacks in the American south had promise but fell flat because of the above. Consequently, be careful, because the author is excellent at convincing people that he employs an unbiased approach to his inquiry. It's subtle to see his trickery masquerading as objectivity but it's there. When you read the book I recommend that one pays attention to the vector employed by the author: conclusion (although he would claim hypothesis) to facts rather than facts to conclusion. You can observe in other reviews people who fell for his masterfully subtle sleight of hand with lots of back slapping and claims that the book reinforced what they already knew.
The notion that a culture was transplanted from Scotland to blacks in the American south had promise but fell flat because of the above. Consequently, be careful, because the author is excellent at convincing people that he employs an unbiased approach to his inquiry. It's subtle to see his trickery masquerading as objectivity but it's there. When you read the book I recommend that one pays attention to the vector employed by the author: conclusion (although he would claim hypothesis) to facts rather than facts to conclusion. You can observe in other reviews people who fell for his masterfully subtle sleight of hand with lots of back slapping and claims that the book reinforced what they already knew.
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Reading Progress
November 23, 2014
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November 23, 2014
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June 10, 2016
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June 24, 2016
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I am struggling with every fiber in my body to get through this book. I agree with your review, because I am studying these very things he talks about. trying to read something out of my comfort zone
I'd appreciate some examples of Sowell's abuse of facts here. Care to share?
Of course he doesn't care to share. He didn't read the book, and neither he has an objective reason to rate it one star. Even if one disagrees with its conclusions the book is still well reasoned and researched. A one star rating means that despite his "scientific background" this reviewer uses emotional reasoning disliking the book in his guts first and then soldiering on maybe to the end of the first of the six essays put together a say-nothing "argument" to express his feelings without saying anything factual about the book, it's ideas, facts, or arguments.
This review is worthless without examples.
Thomas wrote: "This review is worthless without examples."Worthless may be a bit extreme but I agree it would have helped my case. I read it about 1.5 years ago so can't remember details but a lot of what I recall is the author using quotes from people living at the time to support what he's already made up his mind about.
In any case, I would encourage whoever reads this book to pay attention to the directions of conclusion to facts vs facts to conclusion. So, in this regard, I disagree that the review is "worthless." If I read it again, I will certainly addend my review per the feedback on here.
Hilarious that you think you know more about this subject that Thomas Sowell, and can therefore claim he cherry picks facts. You reveal your own prejudice and idiocy in your useless review.
Nice! So let's start with one area where we both agree: I am an idiot and prejudiced. Now, more to the point, how is the review useless? 1) In a general/nihilistic way? I can sort of agree here but that gets dark pretty quickly and I try not to think about it too deeply. After all, on a fundamental level, is much in the universe actually "useful?"
Or 2) As a tool to use when reading the book? I disagree here.
Mr. Maher is going to have to make the case for why the author is incorrect in his conclusions, rather than merely stating that he’s wrong.
Thank you, I am just a simple middle-age woman with an associates degree and nothing more to back up any claim. When I started thinking the same thing, I thought I was wrong so thanks for your review. It took me a while to find it as it is buried on page 12 but I finally did. Also, I think when it comes to books like this people usually fine what they are looking for because it is books like this that people read with an already made agenda in opinion formed in their head. This is just my humble opinion. I was very entertained by the book though. Found out a lot of things I didn’t know. W out of everything the the one that sticks out in my head was that Kwanzaa was invented in LA… Who knew?
I just want to add an addendum whenever giving a counter argument it is always best to have facts to back it up and the fact that you did not tell me you totally went in to this topic with an already formed opinion. Also, the more I think about it at least Dr. Saul had more than just his opinion or conclusion to back up his statement as he quoted very respected and well thought of people to help drive the points he did make it home. I hope you respond to someone’s comments as I would be interested in knowing the facts and who you have to help you flush out your point.
i just feel this review is painting the author in a way that he’s writing the book with malicious intent... and that is just silly.
I started this book not knowing any background on the author. A quick glance at the ratings made me think it was going to be good but I soon began to question everything he was saying because I could not follow his logic on connecting various facts. I am only 1/3 through the book and I came here to read the reviews because I was certain everyone must actually hate this guy. I am so shocked at how many people seem to love it and I agree, it must be the confirmation bias because I honestly don't know how anyone can believe this stuff. I decided to google him because I assumed he was a racist white conservative from NY, I was shocked to see that he is actually black and even more confused by that fact. It feels like he is blaming laziness and lack of education on all the inequalities across the globe.
Funny, a supposed honest reviewer claiming Sowell is an author out of his own comfort zone and accuses said author of cherry picking towards his preconceived conclusions - which is exactly what mr. Maher does.Another fabulous instance of Freud's projection theory.
Courtney, productivity in life is actually the best predictor of health and wealth. Mr. Sowell argues across populations, yet people like you seem to be stuck in the 'yes but person x, y, z...' mindset. You fail to grasp the hardness of the data. Cultures differ in the degree in which they foster productivity, creativity and discipline. The fact that this is borne out by so many different cultures within countries all over the globe supports mr. Sowell's thesis rather well.
How would you explain, for example, the extreme success of Asians and Jews in the US compared to other social groups? White privilege?
The book isn't formulated the same way as a scientific study, of course, and it isn't suppose to be.