Positives Reviewers largely commend the book for addressing a timely and critical issue: the widespread decline in respect for expert opinion and the rise of assertive ignorance in society. Many found the book thought-provoking and engaging, appreciating the author's sharp, funny, and at times snarky writing style. The book is noted for logically linking its ideas and effectively identifying various contributing factors to this phenomenon, including changes in higher education, the impact of the internet, the role of media, and instances where experts themselves have erred. It offers valuable insights into contemporary societal mindsets and the challenges of distinguishing factual knowledge from opinion, making a strong case for the necessity of expertise in a functioning democracy.
Negatives Conversely, many criticisms target the book's repetitive nature and its often preachy, condescending, or curmudgeonly tone, which some found off-putting. A significant point of contention is the perceived lack of rigorous empirical data and academic citations; reviewers frequently noted the author's reliance on anecdotes, generalizations, and assertions rather than substantiated research. Critics argue that the author occasionally steps outside his area of expertise without adequate support, and is sometimes guilty of the very biases he decries, such as cherry-picking examples or misinterpreting concepts like the Dunning-Kruger effect. Furthermore, some felt the book disproportionately focuses on certain issues, while neglecting broader systemic factors such as economic pressures or the corporatization of institutions, and offers little in the way of concrete solutions.
Conclusion Ultimately, the book emerges as a polarizing work, either lauded for its prescient insights or criticized for its methodological shortcomings and tone. Despite its divisive reception, it is widely acknowledged for tackling a profoundly important and relevant challenge facing modern societies: the erosion of trust in established knowledge and the implications for informed public discourse. This book would particularly appeal to readers who already share concerns about anti-intellectualism and the devaluation of expertise, and who appreciate a direct and impassioned critique of these trends. It is recommended for those seeking a diagnosis of the problem and a call to greater intellectual humility and engagement, even if they may debate the depth of its analysis or the efficacy of its proposed remedies.
