I came across two polls today that paint a pretty unflattering picture of the American public. The first, an AP-Ipsos poll, found that one in four adults in the U.S. say they haven't read a book in the last year. Some interesting correlates:
- Democrats and liberals read more than Republicans and conservatives. The president of the American Association of Publishers says this is because "The Karl Roves of the world have built a generation that just wants a couple slogans. It's pretty hard to write a book saying, 'No new taxes, no new taxes, no new taxes' on every page."
- Nonreligious people read more than the religious. Those who said they never attend religious services read nearly twice as much as those who attend frequently. However, the Bible and other religious works were the most-read books.
- Women, Southerners read more. The median number of books read for women was nine, compared to five for men. People from the South read more than people in other regions, mostly religious books and romance novels.
The second poll isn't that surprising based on the results of the first. A Harris Group poll found that two-thirds of U.S. adults admit to being in the dark about political issues outside the United States, and only one-third are well-versed in U.S. politics. Over half said they don't even like learning about political issues in other countries, and 32% have a lack of interest in local politics.
Add in the results of previous polls suggesting more people can name the American Idol judges than the First Amendment (41% versus 28%), and things look pretty grim.
This is why it was so easy to get the public riled up for war with Iraq in 2003, and why the same two families have occupied the White House for nearly 30 years. It's not that everyone is apathetic. Many people spend most of their time and energy earning a living and providing for their families, and following politics and world affairs isn't a top priority. But if we as a society believe enough in the democratic process to force it upon nations halfway around the world, we should also understand that democracy requires active participation.
So many people spend an hour or two a week watching the various American Idol contestants, judging them based on talent and ability, and voting on the most deserving candidate. Is it too much to ask to do the same for the leaders making decisions about health care, education, taxes, and war?
UPDATE: Since this is getting quite a few visitors from Reddit and other sites, I'd like to try something constructive instead of just focusing on the negative aspects of the polls: If you'd like to recommend an informative or interesting book (or blog/website/newspaper), leave it in the comments. It can be what you're reading now or just something you think everyone should read at some point. My recommendation is a book I just started, A Thousand Splendid Suns by Khaled Hosseini, the author of The Kite Runner.
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Comments (24)
We Americans don't care about the "real" world, just the world created by all the marketing hype corporations do.
Is capitalism really the best solution? Which would you rather follow, the almighty dollar, or a religious figure? Personally, I have much more respect for people who form a government based on beliefs rather than based on how you can accumulate the most wealth.
Posted by NOYB | August 22, 2007 12:55 PM
I don't think either option is ideal, but I have a lower tolerance for theocracies than perhaps any other form of government.
But you touch on an interesting point. Although marketing hype is a factor, I think the bigger problem is that life revolves around earning a living to the point that it overshadows almost everything else. Not that careers and accumulating wealth aren't important in other societies. But Americans work more hours and devote more of our lives to our careers than less-capitalistic countries. And at the end of the day most people want to spend time with their families and relax rather than read about the problems with the war or the economy or the health care system.
Posted by Elyas | August 22, 2007 1:08 PM
Well, where to start? A great book for people to read is 1984. Also, for people that rarely read anymore, The Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy really rekindled my love for reading. I think that it is sad that Americans sit and watch mind-numbing reality t.v. and forget about the sad reality that is our future.
Posted by Daisy Parker | August 22, 2007 4:31 PM
Your government, our government, is based on belief. It's been hi-jacked. Show me a theocracy that isn't repressive and I'd be much more open to it.
Posted by Jeremy | August 22, 2007 4:56 PM
Island by Aldous Huxley
http://www.amazon.com/Island-Perennial-Classics-Aldous-Huxley/dp/0060085495
Posted by Eric Eberhardt | August 22, 2007 5:10 PM
It's old news that Americans a) don't read enough b) can't name high ranking domestic politicians and c) have nary a clue about foreign affairs. What I'd like to read about now, is how civil society is redressing these problems. It's not cute to make fun of this on Jay Leno anymore (even though Leno's man-on-the-street interviews are funny in a sick, belly flop kinda way). I read in the NY Times the other day, that more college students are studying abroad than ever before and that time overseas is beginning to be seen as a college student's rite of passage. That's cause for hope.
Elyas, your point could be read as impetus for Americans to be active citizens, not a reason to cop out. I feel the tiredness of hard working Americans (in NYC, 5pm's typically time for coffee not heading to the subway) but we just can't let the ship sink on our watch. Otherwise, why work so hard in the first place?
Posted by Carla Murphy | August 22, 2007 5:12 PM
How about "Lapdogs" by Eric Boehlert. It shows how the American media fails to properly inform the people. Therefore, democracy has no real chance.
Posted by Glenny D | August 22, 2007 5:12 PM
Suggest a book that no one will read?
All the King's Men by Robert Penn Warren
oh...it was made into a movie...guess people can just rent the DVD.
Posted by The Dog | August 22, 2007 5:38 PM
The Missionary Position, by Christopher Hitchens
Posted by Bill Brueggemeyer | August 22, 2007 5:57 PM
I agree with '1984'. It's a fantastic book, especially as it pertains to some of the scary parallels of today's political environment in the United States. Also, try 'The Time Traveler's Wife' for just a great piece of storytelling.
Posted by Angela Harris | August 22, 2007 6:07 PM
"1776" by David McCullough.
Posted by Shawne | August 22, 2007 6:48 PM
Thanks for the book suggestions. I definitely agree with the multiple 1984 recommendations and think it should be taught in every classroom.
Which raises another question: What books do you think should be added to the reading lists in either high school or elementary school?
p.s. If you check back in a few days I will compile a list of all the books people have suggested.
Posted by Elyas | August 22, 2007 7:12 PM
Who Will Tell The People by William Greider
Posted by Andrew | August 22, 2007 10:07 PM
For people who don't like reading political books, I recommend The Chomsky Trilogy published by Odonian Press. They're short, straightforward books that will piss off even the most ardent blue-collar conservative. After that, read Take the Rich off Welfare by Mark Zepezauer and Arthur Naiman. Then read Going Public by Michael Gecan to learn how citizens can get engaged.
Posted by tofocsend | August 22, 2007 11:24 PM
Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lonesome_Dove
But hey... they won't read it right?
We need to work to shift America's values back to education and respect for knowledge.
Posted by AiNoTame | August 22, 2007 11:34 PM
Here is the one book I recommend everyone should read: "Dune" by Frank Herbert.
And I have always preferred "A Brave New World" over "1984", both of which I read in school.
Posted by Miss Newson | August 22, 2007 11:41 PM
One book ? I cannot decide.
Here are four worth attention:
The Assault on Reason by Al Gore.
Empire of Debt by Bonner & Wiggin
The Long Emergency by Kunstler
The Power of Now by Tolle
Posted by Thaiguy | August 23, 2007 12:00 AM
Miss Newson: I agree that Brave New World is also a great read, but I think 1984 is much more relevant to what's going on today (i.e., surveillance society, "we've always been at war with Iraq," etc.)
Posted by Elyas | August 23, 2007 7:08 AM
Well, Thanks for the article and your sentiments, but I'm not particularly surprised by the results of the poll. We in the rest of the world have been painfuly aware that the average person on the American street doesn't give a rats ass about us.
Still, as I say, your sentiments in the last paragraph are worth the read by themselves :)
My top reading suggestions for the U.S.A. would be:
'The Constitution of the United States'
'The Rights of Man' by Thomas Paine
'The Q'uran' - in English is fine, it's a start.
Posted by Spanners | August 23, 2007 8:31 AM
How can you have a functioning democracy if the electorate are ignorant of what they are voting for?
Answer: You cannot. In order to spread democracy you need to ensure electorates are well informed. Just one reason democracy in Iraq will fail (just as it has failed in the US).
Posted by G Grubenhaler | August 23, 2007 8:47 AM
An ignorant populace is easier to control. People don't think any more - they parrot soundbites.
I don't buy the excuse that we don't have time - we have time to watch crap like american idol but not to stay informed? Sounds like pure laziness to me.
Books:
Farenheit 451 - Ray Bradbury
Animal Farm - George Orwell
Lord of the Flies - William Golding
Freakonomics - Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner
Wherever You Go, There You Are: Mindfulness Meditation in Everyday Life - Jon Kabat-zinn
A Benjamin Franklin Reader - Walter Isaacson
Posted by Amused American | August 23, 2007 12:10 PM
Recommended:
- The End of Faith: Religion, Terror, and the Future of Reason by Sam Harris
- Guns, Germs, and Steel: The Fates of Human Societies by Jared M. Diamond
- The Omnivore's Dilemma: A Natural History of Four Meals by Michael Pollan
- The Working Poor: Invisible in America by David K. Shipler
- What Went Wrong?: The Clash Between Islam and Modernity in the Middle East by Bernard Lewis [wrote before 9/11 -- non-propagandistic study]
Posted by JohnM | August 23, 2007 12:27 PM
Three Cups of Tea - by Greg Mortinson
Want to know how to effectively win hearts and minds in the Taliban's backyard? Read this book, truly inspiring!
Posted by Myles | September 12, 2007 4:54 PM
Perhaps if more people read "Das Kapital" by Karl Marx,
they would understand the world today better.
Posted by The Chin | September 20, 2007 8:45 AM