Some Praise and Some Problems with Lukianoff & Schlott’s Book
The Canceling of the American Mind (1) by Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott is, in my view, a mid-level examination of a troublesome trend that is increasingly taking place in our culture. The book builds off of Lukainoff’s previous work with Jonathan Haidt, The Coddling of the American Mind (2), which, in part, explains one of the reasons for the rise of this unhealthy way of relating to others. There are a plethora of examples in the book across a broad enough spectrum of issues to ensure that most readers will feel at least a tinge of fear that being cancelled is within the realm of possibility for them.
While my post will primarily express questions or critique, I will start by noting my appreciation that the authors name this as an issue for both the ‘right and the left’; Further, they suggest that, “Reform has to come from within. The right has to reform right and left has to reform left…In-group moderates have to find their voices.” (3).
Two appreciative thoughts on this:
I believe it was Jim Wallis who stated, ‘The extremes always hijack meaningful public dialogue’ (a loose quote that I won’t try and footnote!) and the authors address and call ‘moderates’ to find their voice. In this increasingly polarized society, it seems the ‘middle-ground’ is quickly disappearing, yet I can’t help but wonder if that is a misperception? While the news and social media is filled with categoric opinions and cancellations, it seems to me that the average Joe and Jane I interact with daily want to peacefully coexist with others and don’t get too worked up about the differences of belief and perspectives between us. While I have no doubt cancel culture is running amok in a variety of ways and places (the authors tell enough stories to demonstrate that reality…and I have a kid in high school!), I can’t help but think that the constant reporting on ‘the extremes’ makes the moderate majority feel like a minority, which may not be the case?
Second, I appreciate the call for reformation from within. You might have heard from this wise teacher before:
“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye (4).
I believe the majority of people who will choose to pick up this book will be concerned about the cultural trend of ‘cancelling others’ and feel it as some degree of threat—whether personally or towards their tribe. As such, it would be easy to read this book with a general application towards the ‘other side’—this is what ‘they’ (the other) are doing!—and consequently miss the necessary application to oneself and my own tribe. Applying this critique to ourselves, or our own political tribe, or church denomination will require a degree of humility that will itself change the tone of our response and allow us to better dialogue and understand ‘the other’.
Speaking of understanding…this is where I felt the book was somewhat lacking. While the book clearly demonstrated that cancel culture is a real problem (likely an assumption most of us already had based on current news stories or viewing things on social media), I didn’t feel like the authors helped the readers think deeply about the issue. This was perhaps more evident to me based on last week’s reading, and I couldn’t help but think that the authors didn’t build up a strong epistemological framework to support their argument (Think Petrusek’s Hierarchy of knowledge in his opening chapters {5}). Not only that, I don’t recall the authors helping their readers parse out the philosophical nuances involved in the topic–like when free speech can be reasonably or rightfully limited and why and by whom? There will always be conflicting values at play when addressing a massive issue like free speech, and therefore careful thinking through a complex topic is required, and I don’t think they did a deep enough dive.
Further, the psychological dynamics that fuels cancel culture could have been further explored. I couldn’t help but think of Mounk’s book (6) related to identity and what we might call expressive individualism. When people are tasked with creating their own identity (as they are in our current culture) they will inevitably defend that identity with a vengeance—and one such defence mechanism is simply to ‘cancel’ a threat. How would our own perception of the people who are cancelling others on ‘our side’ shift if we considered the possibility that they might not just be angry or vengeful but perhaps scared and feeling threatened themselves? Would it allow us to look more like Jesus in our response to them—even with their insistent attack on the tribe I might identify with, or myself personally?
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? (7)
Perhaps the most difficult people for me to love are those people who, in my estimation, are angrily and unreasonably attacking decent human beings in an effort to make them pay a price that is disproportionate to their crime (If, in fact, any crime was ever committed). According to Jesus, who got cancelled to death, I need to learn by the grace of the Spirit to love even them.
I’ll need help with that, God.
(1) Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott, The Canceling of the American Mind, (New York NY: Simon & Schuster, 2023).
(2) Greg Lukainoff and Jonathan Haidt. The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure, (Penguin Press: London, 2018).
(3) Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott, The Canceling of the American Mind, (New York NY: Simon & Schuster, 2023). Chapter 9.
(4) Matthew 7.3-5.
(5) Matthew R. Petrusek, Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture (Park Ridge, IL: Word on Fire Institute, 2023).
(6) Yascha Mounk, The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time (NY: Penguin Press, 2023).
(7) Matthew 5.43-46.
(8) Greg Lukianoff and Rikki Schlott, The Canceling of the American Mind, (New York NY: Simon & Schuster, 2023). Chapter 7.
About the Author
Scott Dickie
11 responses to “Some Praise and Some Problems with Lukianoff & Schlott’s Book”
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Thanks Scott for a great blog.
The part where you stated that “Jesus was cancelled, really caught my attention.
It reminded me of John 15:18 (NIV): “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
This reminds me that being cancelled for one’s faith should be expected.
We are in good company.
Selah…
“If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.”
It does raise some interesting questions on how Christians should respond to being ‘cancelled’ specifically because of our faith. Do we protest? Claim persecution? Fight for our ‘rights’?
As our nations become more secular, God’s people are going to have to learn a new way of being in the ‘marginalized spaces’ from our brothers and sisters around the globe who haven’t had the privilege of cultural majority like we have.
Hi Scott,
We had a speaker (was it Walker in Oxford) who spoke to the question about world conflicts.
He said that there may be a time when we are confronted with Holy violence to confront evil. This rocked the class.
I think it was Cathy who said aside to me, am I ready to be martyred for my faith?
A question for the “end of times” hopefully not this year!
Shalom…
Scott, You wrote: “Perhaps the most difficult people for me to love are those people who, in my estimation, are angrily and unreasonably attacking decent human beings in an effort to make them pay a price that is disproportionate to their crime (If, in fact, any crime was ever committed). According to Jesus, who got cancelled to death, I need to learn by the grace of the Spirit to love even them.”
If you haven’t read any of David French’s work or listen to his podcast–you will find a friend in him as you are thinking along the same lines. He cites that 60 percent of Americans are NOT canceling each other out — rather it’s the 20 percent extremists on either side of the political framework. Yes! May God give us a deep and loyal love for those who are so angry.
Thanks for the recommendation Pam…I haven’t heard of him. I’ll have to take a look/listen. I’m curious if his numbers (20% 60% 20%) are estimates or based on some form or research….so I’ll have to hunt that down. Also, it would be interesting, if relatively accurate statistics existed, to compare this between countries: which countries top the list at being polarized and ‘canceling out’ others? And why? And is it similarly increasing in the non-west? If not, why? So many questions!
Scott,
Your post is so well constructed and for me, thought provoking. I appreciate your analysis and you distinguishing the strengths and the areas that could use further development. I loved that you tied it to Mounk and I was extremely moved by your final paragraph. You are right, we “need to learn by the grace of the Spirit to love even them.” I need help with this also.
Thanks Jonita…I didn’t mention it in my post, but I was struck by this thought while chewing on this material: we all have a natural propensity to view something as ‘unfair canceling’ when we disagree with what people (the others) are making a fuss about….and then view it as ‘fair censoring’ when we agree with the perspective. It can be so difficult to see our own blind spots and the ways we do the very things we criticize ‘the others’ for doing….it’s like our moral certainty supplies the justification to overlook the means we are using, even as we criticize others for doing the same thing.
How would our own perception of the people who are cancelling others on ‘our side’ shift if we considered the possibility that they might not just be angry or vengeful but perhaps scared and feeling threatened themselves?
I think this is a great question and insight Scott. I believe 99% of the time there is always something underneath intense emotions. Psychology has helped bring this to light for me over the years with the idea of hard and soft emotions. Underneath anger (hard emotions), there is usually insecurity, hurt, embarrassment, fear, etc. (soft emotions). If we can move passed the initial shock of anger and not react, but seek to understand what’s underneath it shifts our heart and approach. Thanks for bringing that to light!
Yes…such an important understanding to keep at the forefront of our minds…which tends to be easier when we’re not being attacked! Thus my great need for God’s help! And it’s also important to note that the soft emotions don’t justify or validate what might be the inappropriate behaviour of others while they are angry. I think often people mistakenly think, “If we acknowledge and be sensitive to what’s really going on in people then we are excusing their behaviour”….which is a false dichotomy. Let’s be aware of what’s behind the anger/outburst/cancelling, including past trauma and how that shapes people’s responses, while at the same time naming those harmful responses as wrong (in kind and gracious ways). Not always easy….but so important. Thanks for opening that area up a bit more…
HI Scott,
I realize Adam just quoted what you wrote here as well but your questions are just so good, “How would our own perception of the people who are cancelling others on ‘our side’ shift if we considered the possibility that they might not just be angry or vengeful but perhaps scared and feeling threatened themselves?
I have a lot of empathy for people (myself included) who are afraid and threatened no matter what the circumstances or belief that drives it. Fear is an uncomfortable emotion that often leaves us feeling powerless. Fear is often based in past experiences and can be difficult to identify. Anger is an easy “go to” emotion that often masks fear and sadness which are harder to admit to. It takes patience to sit with that kind of emotion, stay calm, and not feel threatened. We can empathize without agreeing with their perspective. Truth be told we have fears on the ‘other side’ too. Might they be the same and common ground in which to stand?
I appreciate the concerns you brought up with this book. Although there are a lot of examples, you may be onto something with us only hearing about the cancelations. We won’t hear in the news , the times someone screws up and isn’t canceled would we. Thank you for your thought provoking post. Can you think of examples of someone cancel worthy who didn’t get canceled or was allowed to reform?