The Cultural Factors Driving America's Departure From Reality

Kurt Andersen’s cover story “How America Lost Its Mind” argues that “being American means we can believe anything we want.” This is due to a combination of the new-age mentality born out of the 1960s that encouraged Americans to find their own truth and the internet age, which has allowed us to create communities that reinforce our beliefs. According to Andersen, the perfect manifestation of America’s journey away from reality is the election of Donald Trump.

[annarboriter]

We are all living in a babyboomer inspired nightmare.

[franklinfalco]

America isn't the only country being lied to by its elites or with religious fundamentalism. A majority of americans said that they are aware that their country is on the wrong path.

[barbbishop]

" in the 60's " we didn't do shit but a time like degenerates, now shits all fucked up and we blame the youth, aren't we fucking awesome.

[teethgrinder]

We have something similar in the uk as "the fairness doctrine" for tv (and I think radio too) and while it gives voices to fringe groups that usually don't have that big a platform it at least means they can be debated and not go unchallenged. Unfortunately there are definitely elements in the uk like what's talked about in this video and it's growing due to the net but I feel we will always have our feet mostly grounded-which is why groups such as Scientology find it harder to establish themselves here (one reason I should say). And also why the autism anti vaccine doctor was from London yet he swiftly had to go to America to get a proper voice-his license being revoked was also a reason of course. It's a shame but large swathes of a country much of Western Europe looked up to now seem from another planet-thankfully we know there are still those who we can relate to and understand but between the sorts of thing this video talks about and the IMMENSE political partisanship in the USA which leaves little real discourse and only superficial attacks-well it makes it harder and harder for those of us who want to engage with a country we once saw as a beacon of light and reason and now see as fractured and paranoid and irrational. It makes me sad I'll admit

[ajs]

It's interesting that in Europe the 1960s caused most people to become more rational and logical than they were before. The opposite seems to have happened to Americans.

[michaelgray]

It's fascinating reading the comments below. Those who disagree with the video offer no evidence to support their position. All they muster are ad hominem and non sequiturs. If you listen long enough, you discover they aren't the least bit concerned with constructing a logical argument (let alone a reality based one), but instead are after an emotional argument which invites others who agree to bolster their view of reality. This is all they are about. It's why there is no point in attempting to have a logical argument with them, because that's not what matters to them.

Think of trying to have a logical argument with a three year old. (I don't mention that age to insult, but as a clear reference to the stage of cognitive ability these folks most often display. As to what actually goes on in their heads and what they're capable of, I have no idea.) A three year old functions at mostly an emotional level, not a rational level governed by logical discourse. A three year old will want what they want despite any warnings of its harmful effects. Ever try telling a three year old they shouldn't eat chocolate cake and Skittles for a meal? No matter the rational points you make, no matter the examples you point out of past meals like that which made them sick for a day, the three year old will still insist on having their dream meal.

All of us are susceptible to believing things which have no evidence to support them--- ask any forty year old who's had the twenty-five year old cashier chat them up at the checkout, or the person buying that lottery ticket for the billion dollar jackpot. But most of us will come to our senses when the fog of emotion clears by the next day, or when the lottery numbers show we didn't pick the winner.

Most of us... See? There I go believing something I want to be true, but have no solid evidence to support it.

[TheHSoko]

Such a great book he wrote "Fantasyland"! I read it and listened to it in my car on audio version! My kids and husband enjoyed it too! Great retrospective on American history and what sets us apart in our history from other countries around the world.

[sallieskakel]

An additional cultural factor which perhaps contributed to the departure from reality: In 1968, Richard Nixon adopted the "Southern Strategy" in his presidential campaign. This gave the fundamentalist fringe of US Christians an intoxicating new-found power in American politics. Their power and influence has increased year by year ever since. The irrational, anti-intellectual (and anti-science) nature of fundamentalist religion has invaded all topics of political discourse. The hippie-dippie culture of the 60's does indeed bear much of the blame, but not all the blame. Indeed, one can easily identify people who combine both elements: The fundamentalist Christian who believes in astrology, flying saucers, and sinister con-trails. (She's a friend of mine and she lectures me regularly.)

[GGoAwayy]

The whole article is so good. The past year or so has nauseated me so much I’m moving out of the country again. The past election just drove home and brought to the forefront how dire the situation in America (and i mean the American public, not just government) is. I have to leave for my own sanity. Staying just feels like brainwashing myself and it’s hard to have to pay lip service to crazy ideas with no evidence just because that’s how America works now. America, invest HEAVILY in education, please... and don’t let Texas determine the textbook content, either.

[Phlebas]

Not to defend New Age ridiculousness, but I'm skeptical about it playing such a large role in the current problem. Occultism was pretty popular before that, and 60s style New Age beliefs just seem to be a occultism-meets tie-dye. On top of that, New Age became popular all throughout the Western world; it's not like the US had a monopoly on that particular bad idea.

Another thing to consider, a lot of the right-wing conspiracies over the past few decades got their start with the John Birch Society which is uniquely American and got started before the 60s counterculture movement. It's no longer the originator of modern conspiracies, but it helped lay the groundwork for that sort of thinking. This, combined with a journalism culture that values sensationalism and entertainment over actually informing the audience about the issues has created an environment where people are just plain ignorant and prone to misinformation.

Also, your public education sucks in large part to Republicans (and some Democrats) continuously cutting funding to public services in order to afford tax breaks for their donors.  I suspect this isn't a minor factor in explaining American gullibility.

[gakraus]

Many comments below affirm everything in this book about people believing in fantasy. What the book doesn't explore and a possible follow up should is how difficult it is to pull people away from the unreality that brings them comfort and they cling to so desperately. In my own life I had to give up some of my deeply held ideas and convictions and it wasn't easy. Most of the things I gave up thinking weren't my own thoughts, but my fears. I'm glad to see the book upsetting people. Will it upset them enough to be honest and think clearly? Highly unlikely for adults who think they know so much. That's the trouble with so many Americans, they know everything. Just talk to them. They'll be happy to tell you.

[zeitgeist]

I am so glad that Anderson pinned the origins of this bizarre development on the hippies of the 60's. (It wasn't all bad. The hippies did reject consumer culture. A few old hippies still do.) I remember, when visiting my devout-hippie sister in 1969....I remember a moment of psychic dissonance when she told me that she would toss the coins and consult the I Ching before making a decision. And it was around that time that newspapers started printing daily astrology features. All this woo-woo irrational crap filtered into the general culture. Politically/socially conservative devout evangelical Christians happily embraced astrology and any other damn woo-woo idea that appealed to them. Good job, Mr. Anderson

[Glenintheden]

I think I can best sum up my criticism of the article associated with this video with this one critical thinking error: 'begging the question.' He is making unsafe assumptions about the differences between fact and opinion. He seems to equate the conclusions of the mainstream academia, read: their opinions about the nature of reality, with fact. I've studied epistemology and the philosophy of science extensively and I can assure everyone that those fields show that the nature of the truth and anyone's supposed knowledge of it are much more tenuous, elusive and complicated than this author's belief in it. Much more of what we form as 'reality' is based on theory, which in turn is based on opinion, than most people realise. So what are the questions he is begging? Two big ones are what is the truth and how do we know when we know the truth, or the study or epistemology, and what is the nature of reality, or the study of ontology. The irony here is the author is spouting is own opinion through much of the article but trying to pass it off as fact -- but I will allow that I don't think he realizes what he is doing.

[tskeeper]

This is the result of people raised to believe in "the virgin birth" and other ridiculous delusions.

[whirledpeas]

NO NO NO. The 60's were a backlash against the fantasies being sold to us on television and radio. THOSE portrayals of American were created out of whole cloth. Suburbs were new, yet sold as "normal" and "Americana." Those "Happy Days" of frozen TV dinners, roller-skate diners, and the invention of the "teenager" were a vast departure from the previous generations who lived and worked in family run farms or businesses. The 60s were a backlash against the fantasies of unsustainable consumerism and inequality.

We had a surplus. If there was ever to be a time when we could afford to tackle our problems it was the 60s. Unfortunately, the message was lost as people focused on superficial things like hair and clothing.

Watch Making Sense of the Sixties or Freedom River

[emmanuellakwabena]

I would certainly take issue with an argue that Mr. Anderson's reduction of all religious faith and truth claims as fantasy or all stereotyped as fundamentalism. This could not be further from the truth. With that being said I think that the article also has some good points to it too. But what is more concerning to me is the non-stop shouting match between so many sides that typifies discourse in our country now that seems have been magnified with the false sense of "all knowing" and omnipresence that technology has bestowed on us.

What is missing in so much of our discourse is a healthy dose of humility. Being a person of faith does not mean that we have all of the answers or hold the monopoly on truth - this applies equally to science. Science can help explain “what” but must stand speechless in answering “why”. On the one hand we seem to think that only truth there is, is what can only be measured or quantified. On the other people who unquestioningly accept any conspiracy or claim without ever once giving it any critical evaluation. In cyber space it is so easy to lump people into abstractions, e.g., right wing, leftist, fundamentalist, etc. Maybe we need to spend less time on our computers and more time interacting with the persons that fill our immediate world and the concrete realities of daily life. Maybe we need to reclaim the value of silent intervals in our lives – instead of the non-stop blather of noise that we surround ourselves with. Then we would actually find out that none of us are all knowing and omnipresent. We would find out that people are much more complex than left-wing, right-wing labels infer. Maybe we would open our eyes and see as Dostoevsky noted – that the line and struggle between good and evil does not run between groups of people, but through the center of every human heart.

Well, enough of that... I am going to go outside for a nice walk!!

[AudiobookLibrary-]

Interesting thoughts, also, excellent use of conservative examples as extreme with very few liberal examples as extreme. Way to throw the "fairness doctrine" out of the door.

[halyn]

It`s a long article attached at this video but it`s very smart and well thought. Give it a try. This man is extremely bright and his vision is quite accurate. Maybe is not on everybody`s taste but it`s a good reflection. The video doesn`t say too much the article is an other story.

[franklinblunt]

Respect history of Atlantic but troubled about what what has become of it rather recently, about past 15 years.

[ruffey]

As soon as I saw the title, I knew he was going to discuss the vetoing of the fariness doctrine and the proliferation of personal media via the internet. I'd also throw in the gamification of news. Splitting media consumers into teams along partisan lines, where narrative is the comfort blanket that people navigate the world with, rather than facts and assessing the impact of such facts in real life.