Thought I would take a look at this book though I am neither young nor a progressive. As someone who finds himself on different ends of the spectrum on different issues and most often sits between two unfathomable extremes, I often seek some cogent expression of conservative principles, absent the proselytizing. I suppose I hoped that there would be some coherent and logical presentation of "conservative" values here given this person purports to be an academician (which need not be synonymous with liberal). Sadly for me that was not the case. In essence this is just as disheartening as reading a tirade from Rachel Maddow, Ed Schultz, or Melissa Harris-Perry, except the names and terms are changed around.
Quick summary of Adams' book: Dear young student: You're an idiot and this is what you should believe because I do.
Indoctrination just form a different angle.
It really only took reading the fist paragraph of the first letter to realize this was a bad choice for an intelligent read, that looking for some kind of informed and intelligent presentation here was going to be met instead with a ideological tirade that relied on nothing but steadfast belief as supporting data. It was in the first paragraph that Adams noted the cold temperatures in May in Colorado, from where we was supposedly writing, as evidence that the global warming advocates were fools. Damn - doesn't he realize how that sounds? Well, sure he does! There is no reason for this position and the snark it communicates except ideology; there is no logic in dismissing climate change except that it is seen as a liberal cause celeb. No need to point out that a cold day says nothing about climate change to any one with half a brain and that clinging to the notion that snow refutes global warming (instead of climate change) simply makes a person sound ignorant. Why bother? Adams evidences throughout the book that he believes what he believes and that is enough for him; but when someone starts a talk by saying that "The earth is flat" it makes it hard to take anything else they say seriously. It seems clear that he rejects the idea because it is usually espoused by liberals - for no other reason - such a childish way to go about making decisions.
I can understand Adams concerns with the fact that academia is, in most cases, a bastion of liberal thought. But not all of us - I see it all the time, since it is the world I, too, am in. I can understand how one might bemoan the fact that students in such institutions are often taught what to think, not how to think. But, sadly, in the guise of "liberating" his imaginary young progressive, Adams offers nothing but the other side of the same coin - not teaching him critical thinking skills, merely teaching him to criticize and then telling him what to think because Adams is right. No logic, no data, no well thought-out presentation, no intelligent discourse on how a thinker might think about the problems of today's world - he simply offers a diatribe and faith.
Adams' book reads like what it, in all likelihood, is; an invective by someone who is at war with academia in general and his own university in particular - given his court case - a malcontent proclaiming his indignation over how he has been treated, using his "book" more as a cudgel than to really inform that potential progressive reader. This is his finger in the eye to those who would reject him. If you choose to read this, do so with this in mind, with your eyes open (but watch out for that finger) with regard to what his motivations are in writing this book. In the guise of informing or enlightening, he is actually chastising and exacting his revenge. He has no intention to inform, only inflame. Were I a liberal I would be insulted, just as he would want me to be. Instead, as a thinking somewhat conservative who does not see that as synonymous with belief in God, I am simply disappointed that he did not offer me more than this.
If you want a peak into the mind of the conservative counterpart to the radical left liberal we often hear from - the ones who need no facts, just emotion - then this is an informative, if demoralizing, read. It gives one little hope for the future because it is another voice shouting "I'm right" as loudly as possible, a tantrum with much kicking and screaming. Adams and anyone who shares his opinion need not expect that reading this will sway any reader, any young progressive - indeed there is no true evidence that was his intention. This is witnessing and his approach is to merely call them stupid and then assert, based on faith, that he is right. It is brow-beating and is clearly aimed at those who already agree with him. In this, he is the academic equivalent of Ann Coulter - seeking to do no more than shock and berate - insult and no more.
If you, as I, were looking for some cogent presentation of conservative thinking - a logical way to think abut conservative causes that might serve to refute the liberal ideas you are surrounded with, you will not find it here. These are the rantings of someone who is pissed off, and engaging in self-pleasuring. It will make those who already agree with Adams smile, laugh, and have a knee-slapping good time - "You tell 'em, Buddy!" - that's why he was on the NRA Cam and Company (which I listen to) and had made me hope his presentation would be worthwhile. If you already agree with him, then this book will be good "Hell, yeah!" reading for you. It will do little for those he pretends to want to educate or persuade because it takes joy and experiences great pleasure in insulting them. It will do little for those, like me, hoping to read something useful.
Most of us have enough trouble trying to educate those around us who hold strong beliefs - liberal or conservative - to the point of intolerance for anyone else. We have enough issues with those who consider faith some kind of badge of honor, strength of faith as some proof of rectitude. Perhaps Adams, with his obsession with the fallen nature of man (one assumes including himself) should consider that his perception of God's essence might not be accurate. Adam's work does nothing to make that position of faith as barometer of truth more understandable. It is proof that neither side of the current insanity has a monopoly on acting like an asshole. Sadly, those thoughtful who are stuck between the crazy at both ends, as so often happens, get left to ponder what happened to sanity in the world.
