I was so excited to receive my copy of *The Parasitic Mind* by Gad Saad. I had long been supportive of efforts to push back on ideas, the likes of postmodernism, social justice, political correctness, identity politics, etc. These ideas, if translated into policy could be corrosive to our western culture and the cohesion of our societies. So, upon opening the book I was primed to sympathize with the discussion of the issues and solutions.
My cognitive reasoning faculties were tuned up and ready to process what I thought would be some logical, evidence-based common sense-making.
It didn't take long to shatter my enthusiasm. Starting on page 25, Gad Saad started setting the stage for his arguments by talking about the two main ways people process messages. He contends that the central processing route is cognitive (logical) in nature while the peripheral method is affective (emotional). I am not sure where the prioritization came from (maybe his scientific background) but I believe that most people (non-scientists) are indeed "logical" but that logic is tempered, if not completely dominated by our human propensity for approximation and quick emotional assessments ("better safe than sorry"). I agree with Hume on this.
As an example, Saad uses the negative "hysteria" around Donald Trump expressed by most Trump detractors. He decries those hysterics because they use their "peripheral" affective processing to make a negative assessment of Trump. Saad states that they should use their "primary" cognitive processing to dispassionately evaluate Trump's policies. Give me a break Dr Saad. Selecting politicians (an most other everyday evaluations) is mostly emotional as it should be. You "like" him or you don't - his policy is good for me or not. The Trump policies under review also contain significant emotional content (abortion, racism, immigrants, tax breaks for the rich) so it is almost impossible to to drill down to the "logical" political choice. Dr Saad's simplistic "cognitive" solution (spend more time thinking logically on things) is really a non-starter and denies, our basic human nature. Our politicians are chosen emotionally. As for Trump supporters and detractors - both seem to maintain consistency within their affective and cognitive reasoning components - thus neither group are prone to change their minds.
Here we are - postmodernist lefties want their policies enacted to the detriment of others and to benefit themselves. The right wingers want the same. Both groups are consonant within their cognitive and affective thought processes. One man's voter suppression policy under the guise of ballot security is another man's disenfranchisement policy. I suppose we all make Faustian bargains for a perceived short-term benefit. Dispassionately assessing "policy" ends up in an emotional sand trap. This is politics - deciding who gets a benefit and who has to pay. Homeostasis is not possible but perhaps we can find some kind of balance. I remember what Mick Jagger said, "You can't always get what you want".
My biases (cognitive and affective) have kicked in perhaps blinding me to the real value of Gad Saad's words. Dr Saad's thinking seems to me a bit superficial with solutions a bit too simplistic.
Loading your book clubs
There was a problem loading your book clubs. Please try again.
Not in a club?
Learn more
Join or create book clubs
Choose books together
Track your books
Bring your club to Amazon Book Clubs, start a new book club and invite your friends to join, or find a club that’s right for you for free.
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required. Learn more
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle Cloud Reader.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Enter your mobile phone or email address
Processing your request...
By pressing "Send link," you agree to Amazon's Conditions of Use.
You consent to receive an automated text message from or on behalf of Amazon about the Kindle App at your mobile number above. Consent is not a condition of any purchase. Message & data rates may apply.
Flip to back
Flip to front
Follow the Author
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
|
Price
|
New from | Used from |
|
Audible Audiobook, Unabridged
"Please retry"
|
$0.00
|
Free with your Audible trial | |
|
Audio CD, Audiobook, CD, Unabridged
"Please retry"
|
$19.46 | — |
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
What other items do customers buy after viewing this item?
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
From the Publisher
|
|
|
|
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
|
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Customer reviews
Top reviews from the United States
There was a problem filtering reviews right now. Please try again later.
Reviewed in the United States on October 10, 2020
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2020
I think this is not just a good book, but an important one. It seems that we are at a crossroad. Our path is not yet set. We need to use all of the tools of reason and logic to move in the right direction. As Dr. Saad points, out, we cannot just bury our heads in the sand. The stakes are just too high. We need, at this time of choosing, to actually chose a side and standup for the principles of reason and logic. Avoid Ostrich Parasitic Syndrome (OPS) at all costs. Let's all do our part. A good way to start is to read this outstanding book. I recommend it whole heartedly.
Charles Scott
Verified Purchase
Great read with a lot of fire power
By Charles F. Scott on October 7, 2020
Rational thinking can be defined as a thinking process which is based on reason and logic. By that rubric Dr. Saad hits a home run with The Parasitic Mind. In an age where we live in a storm of irrational and emotional turmoil - this book lays out a clear, concise logical path back to sanity.By Charles F. Scott on October 7, 2020
I think this is not just a good book, but an important one. It seems that we are at a crossroad. Our path is not yet set. We need to use all of the tools of reason and logic to move in the right direction. As Dr. Saad points, out, we cannot just bury our heads in the sand. The stakes are just too high. We need, at this time of choosing, to actually chose a side and standup for the principles of reason and logic. Avoid Ostrich Parasitic Syndrome (OPS) at all costs. Let's all do our part. A good way to start is to read this outstanding book. I recommend it whole heartedly.
Charles Scott
Images in this review
Reviewed in the United States on October 8, 2020
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on October 6, 2020
Verified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on October 7, 2020
Verified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
sm
Gad this is Good
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 16, 2020Verified Purchase
Sorrowful investigator
Just another anti-woke rant
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 16, 2020Verified Purchase
Mark S. Edwards
A guide, not a manual
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2020Verified Purchase
SamGibbo
One of he most important book of our time!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 22, 2020Verified Purchase
One of he most important book of our time!
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 22, 2020
This beautifully written book is an unarguably accurate description of the viruses infecting many minds around the world. When reading it I can almost hear Prof Saad in my head. I could go in for ages, highlighting just how important this book is, but my description Neill not do it justice.Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 22, 2020
Just buy it, read it, absorb it and relax in the knowledge that common sense is not yet dead and buried. D.I.E. theories will be beaten.
Images in this review
Annie
Hey “journalists”: Political correctness kills the truth!
Reviewed in Canada on October 14, 2020Verified Purchase
