At University, I got used to my ideas being challenged – even despised. 

I figured people wouldn’t like my views, and had no problem with it. I was pretty old-school, Christian, and relative to the student body, conservative-leaning in some ways.

What did surprise me was how easy it had become to offend people, even if your ideas weren’t religious… or even all that weird. 

Post-modern thought had been on the rise. Interestingly, so were mental health concerns. All the while, cancel culture went full throttle online, and the University campus in particular was no longer the bastion of free speech that it had been. 

Coincidences?

Nah. And I knew it.

But here’s the thing: When someone gets so offended at something said with respect that they cry or insult the person, you know who’s at fault. 

Call it “getting triggered” or whatever you want. Fact is, if you can’t take criticism or an idea that challenges your worldview, the problem is not with your critic. 

It’s with you. 

But I digress. 

What does this have to do with the book I’m supposed to review? 

Good Intentions, Bad Ideas, Excellent Book

Fast forward about 5 years, and Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff’s The Coddling of the American Mind address these issues and more in probably the most important book of recent times. 

They trace recent history and take a look at some sociological and psychological trends in the United States in particular and make a case that, indeed, we have coddled the American (/Western) mind and it’s not a good thing. Hence the tagline: “How good intentions and bad ideas are setting up a generation for failure.” 

Throw in the power of social media, helicopter parents, and Universities that act more like businesses than academic institutions, and said bad ideas spread like wildfire, creating a generational crisis of sorts. Mental health diminishes, adulthood delays and free speech devalues, all in a matter of years. 

I really can’t say enough good things about this book. It’s incredibly insightful, in-depth and readable. It’s also incredibly fair. While much of the pro-free speech movement in recent times has been a Conservative one, Haidt & Lukianoff are openly liberal. They criticize so-called liberals of today who support bad policies and, whether they do so intentionally or not, do much “coddling.” But this is a decidedly bipartisan book, and they recognize how unhelpful some conservatives have been in exacerbating the movements.

Besides the fair and insightful presentation, The Coddling of the American Mind is immensely practical. The final chapters suggest how our culture might move forward towards wisdom and contain practical advice on parenting norms, social media use, and policy. 

Problems of Progress

The book eased my concerns about the world, too. While presenting a critique of the “bad ideas,” it also offers an optimistic tone throughout. Haidt & Lukianoff take a realistic look at our world and note how things have generally been improving: Crime rates are lower, people are freer, and the technology that has allowed bad ideas to spread also gives voice to good ideas. 

Haidt & Lukianoff talk about “problems of progress” – basically, the growing pains of society. Just as new technology and new ideas improve the world, they can also bring problems that require adjustment. Fortunately, they point out, we usually learn to adapt to said problems or fix them entirely. 

I share their optimism. 

I absolutely loved this book. There may have been a couple of instances where I disagreed with an interpretation of data or a politically charged event, but otherwise, I can’t recommend it enough. Consider it essential reading for everyone.  

These are perhaps some of the most important ideas of our time, and Haidt & Lukianoff are unparalleled in their presentation and fair dealings with them. 

Give this one a read, friends.