EM Correspondents: Susan Jacoby
The book is “The Age of American Unreason”. The author is Mrs. Susan Jacoby. I am Michael Jaskot. Can I stop writing like this? Tonight I viewed with optimism the self-proclaimed rationalist that is Susan Jacoby. Mrs. Jacoby has made a fine living writing countless books on public affiars and politcal science and a biography of Alger Hiss is in the works. I attended a speech by the former Washington Post writer at my Ohio State University. However, I was utterly disappointed in many of the talking points that ensued.
I was expecting a full blown critique of American culture, or as Mrs. Jacoby refers to it: infotainment. (I can’t believe the computer recognizes that as a word). Besides telling me, just like Barack Obama, that parents need to take control and turn off the video games, I learned very little. Futhermore, when I asked the author what my generation can do about the so called “culture of junk” she failed to give me a decent answer. Once again, I had hoped for a vibrant discussion on common sense in America, possibly incorporating chats on absurd legal matters and how it is rational to think the opposite of certain American norms. Didn’t happen.
Actually, something interesting did happened. A gentleman asked if Mrs. Jacoby agreed with Ayn Rand’s objectivist school of thought, as he thought the two had much in common. Mrs. Jacoby responded, “I think it’s a crock”. The crowd cheered. Wow, openly lambasting Ayn Rand requires courage. The other thing that is needed when attacking one of the foremost capitalist authors of our day is a strong, detailed opinion that can persuade the audience to believe you. Mrs. Jacoby did not provide any “ensightful” (EM shoutout) information to help me understand the contemporary American fascination with “unreason”.
