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  • The Coddling of the American Mind

  • How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure
  • By: Jonathan Haidt, Greg Lukianoff
  • Narrated by: Jonathan Haidt
  • Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (581 ratings)

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The Coddling of the American Mind

By: Jonathan Haidt, Greg Lukianoff
Narrated by: Jonathan Haidt
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Publisher's Summary

Penguin presents the audiobook edition of The Coddling of the America Mind by Jonathan Haidt and Greg Lukianoff, read by Jonathan Haidt.

What doesn't kill you makes you weaker

Always trust your feelings
Life is a battle between good people and evil people


These three Great Untruths contradict basic psychological principles about well-being, as well as ancient wisdom from many cultures. And yet they have become increasingly woven into education, culminating in a stifling culture of "safetyism" that began on American college campuses and is spreading throughout academic institutions in the English-speaking world.

In this book, free speech campaigner Greg Lukianoff and social psychologist Jonathan Haidt investigate six trends that caused the spread of these untruths, from the decline of unsupervised play to the corporatization of universities and the rise of new ideas about identity and justice.

Lukianoff and Haidt argue that well-intended but misguided attempts to protect young people can hamper their development, with devastating consequences for them, for the educational system and for democracy itself.

©2018 Jonathan Haidt & Greg Lukianoff (P)2018 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"Excellent...their advice is sound...liberal parents, in particular, should read it" (Edward Luce)

"An important if disturbing book.... Lukianoff and Haidt tell a plausible story" (Niall Ferguson)

"A compelling and timely argument against attitudes and practises that, however well-intended, are damaging our universities, harming our children and leaving an entire generation intellectually and emotionally ill-prepared for an ever-more fraught and complex world. A brave and necessary work." (Rabbi Lord Jonathan Sacks)

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thought-provoking

really challenged my views on dealing with viewpoints that I find offensive. thought-provoking in many ways. the concept of a culture of 'safetyism' which causes kids to misinterpret differing points of view as threatening is especially interesting. i didn't find it a light read - requires concentration!

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Good argument, covers a lot of context

Covers implications of the core argument across fields and from different perspectives. Didn’t unnecessarily cover ground it already covered. Presentation was suitable for audiobook format.

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Excellent

insightful review and rationale of generational behaviours for parents and teachers to make changes.

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A must read for society today

In an age of safetyism, overreaction and over regulation, this book provides a great analysis of the present condition which has affected our children, our college campuses and in large society as a whole. It offers practical and well supported methods of combatting the challenges we all face in a cogent and responsible way. The only critique I offer is that it doesn't provide an objective rationale as to why a society should be good. It merely assumes it. Overall, I strongly recommend this book to anyone who is seeking to understand the culture of the west in which we live in today

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A must read!

Thought-provoking and a needed conversation for the times. Highly recommended to parents especially. Amazing!

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This book will solve many of the world's problems

The world we live in today is changing rapidly, many of the changes cause great harm long term. We need to vehemently challenge these erroneous ideas.
I cannot recommend this book enough.

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can't believe I waited this long to listen!!


Brilliant listening, makes sense out of now!
The only thing I have heard that explains why certain things are happening in America and other western countries and what should be done to change certain things to achieve worthwhile goals.

Observed the author on Joe Rogans podcast, heard the book mentioned again and again.
Really should have listened to it sooner, should be freshman reading material!

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Excellent!

A book most people should listen to or read. Interesting and explains the subject matter very well.

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Truth

This book holds a true sense of the reality we currently live in. Although it shares many negatives (truths) of our current way of raising children through safetyism and the impacts it is having on our young people. This book is easily relatable and relevant for an educator or parent.

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Extremely informative & fascinating- must read

Highly recommend to anyone with interests in parenting and child development - practical and simply put concepts backed up by evidence

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