The Middle Mind: Why Americans Don't Think for Themselves
Registered by biba89 of Olst, Overijssel Netherlands on 8/7/2005
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
This Book is Currently in the Wild!
1 journaler for this copy...
This seems like completely my kind of book. From the back: "On the whole, our entertainment - movies, TV, music - is a testament to our ability and willingness to endure boredom.... and pay for it."
Now, who should read it?
Now, who should read it?
From the back:
"The Middle mind is the dominant force shaping our culture today. Seeping into politics, literature and art, it's all about pre-packaged, easily digestible media that requires no thought. And it's creating an increasing inability to properly consider the development of our society, or to initiate change. But while this sounds (and is) deadly serious, it's not only about the lack of intelligent discussion of the war in Iraq or the Kyoto agreement - it's about the music we listen to, the films we watch and the books we read, from Jonathan Frantzen and Oprah Winfrey to Harry Potter and 'The Hours'.
To start with, I think this is a book everybody should read. Or rather, a message everybody should get. But this particular book gets rather tough here and there. It is focused mostly on the United States, and delves into specific TV programs and academic discussions somebody from outside the country wouldn't know about. And when Curtis White states that people don't think for themselves, he makes a point by writing sentences the poor reader feels are straining his rather untrained brain cells. Is this wise? The reality is that most people give up if this kind of strain is asked from them. Does he prefer to make a point by showing the readers that they are too plain dumb or does he really want to get his message across?
And I did find him a tad arrogant, for instance when he states about something that "it is not art."
Still, the book opened up a new view for me. I was dimly aware that the entertainment industry is huge, immense, offering escape in many ways and forms - TV, films, books - especially sci-fi and fantasy, games, sports - but I realise that this escapism industry appears to be controlled, by forces intended to keep the status quo.
What I took with me from this book is the intention to keep very aware, stay critical and seek out and support those messages who show us a different way of thinking.
"The Middle mind is the dominant force shaping our culture today. Seeping into politics, literature and art, it's all about pre-packaged, easily digestible media that requires no thought. And it's creating an increasing inability to properly consider the development of our society, or to initiate change. But while this sounds (and is) deadly serious, it's not only about the lack of intelligent discussion of the war in Iraq or the Kyoto agreement - it's about the music we listen to, the films we watch and the books we read, from Jonathan Frantzen and Oprah Winfrey to Harry Potter and 'The Hours'.
To start with, I think this is a book everybody should read. Or rather, a message everybody should get. But this particular book gets rather tough here and there. It is focused mostly on the United States, and delves into specific TV programs and academic discussions somebody from outside the country wouldn't know about. And when Curtis White states that people don't think for themselves, he makes a point by writing sentences the poor reader feels are straining his rather untrained brain cells. Is this wise? The reality is that most people give up if this kind of strain is asked from them. Does he prefer to make a point by showing the readers that they are too plain dumb or does he really want to get his message across?
And I did find him a tad arrogant, for instance when he states about something that "it is not art."
Still, the book opened up a new view for me. I was dimly aware that the entertainment industry is huge, immense, offering escape in many ways and forms - TV, films, books - especially sci-fi and fantasy, games, sports - but I realise that this escapism industry appears to be controlled, by forces intended to keep the status quo.
What I took with me from this book is the intention to keep very aware, stay critical and seek out and support those messages who show us a different way of thinking.
Journal Entry 3 by biba89 at OBCZ - café Persee (opgeheven) in Deventer, Overijssel Netherlands on Friday, September 23, 2005
Released 18 yrs ago (9/23/2005 UTC) at OBCZ - café Persee (opgeheven) in Deventer, Overijssel Netherlands
WILD RELEASE NOTES:
RELEASE NOTES:
Let's see if any of my friends takes this home.
Let's see if any of my friends takes this home.
After being lent by several people but, sadly, not journalled, this book is home again.
