Susan Jacoby Nick Gillespie [7 of 7] Book TV

The Age of American Unreason

Category:

Education

Tags:

• reason
• fundamentalism
• religion
• science
• rationalism
• superstition
• atheism
• secularism
• university
• media
• tv
• internet

[nicolatwo]

Yes! Al Gore is the perfect example for what she is talking about. Such a huge number of people were not able to identify themselves with Al Gore because he is plainly too intelligent and too intellectual for them. But don't we need an intelligent and intellectual politician in office? I sure do. This country would be in great shape if Al Gore had won the election in 2000. That's why she is so stongly advising that this school system must be changed. I fully agree with her.

[roofryder23]

I have to say, I was a subscriber to Reason Magazine (the publication which Nick Gillespie, the interviewer, is Editor in Chief of) which I enjoyed and I found him to be very objectionable during this interview. I got the feeling that he was waiting to speak instead of listening and quite often cut Susan off. I understand his desire to give a tough interview, which he succeeded at, his demeanor was just not helping. Otherwise, loved the book and what Susan has to say!

[Alejandroenfuego]

Isn't he supposed to be interviewing her? I don't get why he has to interject, interrupt, argue etc. If this is a debate, then great, that's fine. But this wasn't portrayed as a debate, nor do I believe it was intended to be a debate. It was intended to be an interview of Susan. This cheesyhaired retro dork needs to learn when to STFU.

[tanoki1]

Actually, Gillespie did an admirable job of checking Jacoby's rampant hyperbole and groundless conclusions. Despite Jacoby's constant clarion calls for reason, she herself does not reflect much on her opinions, which are presented almost always as fact and not viewpoint. Gillespie, on the other hand, is good at deconstructing views--even his own from time to time--from various angles and is therefore a necessary counterpoint to Jacoby, who is right about issues simply because she is right.

[knsummers]

well, after watching all seven parts I did not see any pragmatic suggestions. Instead of writing writing platitudes and mourning the decline of reason maybe she could work to change policy (especially when it comes to public education) instead of writing for the very people she says do not read and are not really capable of appreciating her work.

[erkekler]

Agreed. Who's he trying to impress with the retro-50's look?

Between the extremist libertarian ideology and his utterly vacuous comments, he cannot be taken seriously.

[SurferRosa79]

Agreed, average people tend to look at intellectuals as arrogant or elitists. This is one of the reasons why such a large segment of the population votes for dunces like W Bush I imagine.

[baracine]

What you call "condescending and self righteous", the rest of the world calls "having something important to say". And the proper expression is "cut and dried".

[baracine]

It seems to me that Nick Gillespie should parlay his porno-star good looks into a career in, oh, I don't know, porno, and leave intelligent discourse alone.

But I highly recommend Ms. Jaboby's book.