About the book
This series of eight provocative essays examines why Americans have a penchant for going to extremes in their arts, popular culture, politics, social movements, and other aspects of life. Robert Schmuhl considers historical examples (the hunting of the buffalo in the West, Prohibition, business ventures in the Gilded Age) but concentrates on contemporary subjects, including the emphasis on what shocks the audience as entertainment today, tensions among specific groups, the decline of private life, and the excesses of news media coverage in the O.J. Simpson and Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky stories.
Indecent Liberties explores the dangers and consequences of carrying fundamental American freedoms too far. In this environment, achieving a public good can get lost in a frenzy of private gain or a worthwhile idea can be pushed to unrecognizable boundaries, producing the opposite of its intended effect. When an attitude of \"anything goes\" takes hold, a sense of limits gets lost, and it is different to achieve harmony or a center that holds.
Especially as we face a new century with talk of \"hyperdemocracy\" and \"hypercommunications\" common in intellectual circles, Indecent Liberties argues that seeking equilibrium should be a central objective for all Americans. To go to wretched excess can lead to \"indecent liberties\" and wretched results that throw the country off balance and endanger the future. This book asks questions about today and yesterday that require answers for tomorrow.
This insightful analysis of a distinct American characteristic is for every reader concerned with America's penchant for going to extremes in ways that produce debatable, even deplorable, consequences.
Editions of Indecent Liberties
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9780268012168
- Paperback
- ISBN 9780268031572
- Paperback
- ISBN 9935183
- EBook
- ISBN 9780268092955
- EBook
- ISBN 9780268092962
Read an Excerpt
This series of eight provocative essays examines why Americans have a penchant for going to extremes in their arts, popular culture, politics, social movements, and other aspects of life. Robert Schmuhl considers historical examples (the hunting of the buffalo in the West, Prohibition, business ventures in the Gilded Age) but concentrates on contemporary subjects, including the emphasis on what shocks the audience as entertainment today, tensions among specific groups, the decline of private life, and the excesses of news media coverage in the O.J. Simpson and Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky stories.
Indecent Liberties explores the dangers and consequences of carrying fundamental American freedoms too far. In this environment, achieving a public good can get lost in a frenzy of private gain or a worthwhile idea can be pushed to unrecognizable boundaries, producing the opposite of its intended effect. When an attitude of \"anything goes\" takes hold, a sense of limits gets lost, and it is different to achieve harmony or a center that holds.
Especially as we face a new century with talk of \"hyperdemocracy\" and \"hypercommunications\" common in intellectual circles, Indecent Liberties argues that seeking equilibrium should be a central objective for all Americans. To go to wretched excess can lead to \"indecent liberties\" and wretched results that throw the country off balance and endanger the future. This book asks questions about today and yesterday that require answers for tomorrow.
This insightful analysis of a distinct American characteristic is for every reader concerned with America's penchant for going to extremes in ways that produce debatable, even deplorable, consequences.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Indecent Liberties about?
This series of eight provocative essays examines why Americans have a penchant for going to extremes in their arts, popular culture, politics, social movements, and other aspects of life. Robert Schmuhl considers historical examples (the hunting of the buffalo in the West, Prohibition, business ventures in the Gilded Age) but concentrates on contemporary subjects, including the emphasis on what shocks the audience as entertainment today, tensions among specific groups, the decline of private life, and the excesses of news media coverage in the O.J. Simpson and Bill Clinton/Monica Lewinsky stories.
Indecent Liberties explores the dangers and consequences of carrying fundamental American freedoms too far. In this environment, achieving a public good can get lost in a frenzy of private gain or a worthwhile idea can be pushed to unrecognizable boundaries, producing the opposite of its intended effect. When an attitude of \"anything goes\" takes hold, a sense of limits gets lost, and it is different to achieve harmony or a center that holds.
Especially as we face a new century with talk of \"hyperdemocracy\" and \"hypercommunications\" common in intellectual circles, Indecent Liberties argues that seeking equilibrium should be a central objective for all Americans. To go to wretched excess can lead to \"indecent liberties\" and wretched results that throw the country off balance and endanger the future. This book asks questions about today and yesterday that require answers for tomorrow.
This insightful analysis of a distinct American characteristic is for every reader concerned with America's penchant for going to extremes in ways that produce debatable, even deplorable, consequences.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Indecent Liberties?
Philosophy and Religion > Philosophy > Topics in philosophy > Social and political philosophy
Where can I read a sample of Indecent Liberties?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9780268012168
How long is Indecent Liberties and how many pages does it have?
Indecent Liberties has 160 page(s)
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Indecent Liberties?
Robert Schmuhl
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Indecent Liberties is available as hardcover(ISBN 9780268012168) and paperback(ISBN 9780268031572) and paperback(ISBN 9935183) and ebook(ISBN 9780268092955) and ebook(ISBN 9780268092962)
Where can I buy Indecent Liberties online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Indecent Liberties from below
Where can I buy Indecent Liberties?