Book Summary Mediocracy: The Politics of the Extreme Centre by Alain Deneault

 
Book Summary
Mediocracy: The Politics of the Extreme Centre by Alain Deneault

Release Date:  May 2018

Genres: Politics, Philosophy, Nonfiction, Sociology, Psychology

Length: 200 Pages

Introduction

Sometimes you are surprised and astonished by things that happen in our societies and have become a reality, such as trivial people spreading and gaining popularity and spreading, and books with trivial texts devoid of any value becoming best sellers, and television and cinematic works of art and songs with a low intellectual level are prevalent and receive attention. While intellectuals, thinkers and scientists have become marginalized and removed from the spotlight and interest. How do lowlife artists and athletes get huge sums of money and great benefits, while hard-working people who provide real intellectual and scientific value are marginalized and ignored by society. All these questions and more will be answered by Alain Dono in his book "The System of Triviality".

The deliberate and directed trend that calls for spreading waves and campaigns aimed at superficiality, triviality, and the absence of reason and killing the spirit of criticism and thinking among current generations, which is done by publishing content that carries no value and glorifying and supporting the people who publish that trivial content and treating them as a role model and a model that everyone dreams of following and imitating. All of this has led to the current generations reaching a low level of thought and the ability to analyze and reflect. This has become the dominant feature of our world and societies.

 

The writer used an easy and direct style to highlight the trends and attempts to spread triviality and seriously discussed the issue of transforming knowledge and academic education into a commercial commodity in a project that seeks only profit at the expense of providing scientific value.

 

The book deals with the prevailing situation in our societies, which have become devoid of value in general and lack and move away from the spirit of culture and arts, which are things that have become popular and achieve the highest spread and acceptance among the masses at the present time, despite the lack of intellectual value.

 

Media, social media, cyberspace and famous personalities have turned into shining and visible icons in societies and receive appreciation, respect and attention, all to complete attempts to kill thought, criticism and all intellectual, cultural and artistic values ​​and make triviality the prevailing and controlling thing for everyone.

"Medi·oc·racy, noun: the state of domination created by a ruling class composed entirely of mediocre people, for instance, Justin Trudeau, Emmanuel Macron, etc. There was no Reichstag fire. No storming of the Bastille. No mutiny on the Aurora. Instead, the mediocre have seized power without firing a single shot. They rose to power on the tide of an economy where workers produce assembly-line meals without knowing how to cook at home, give customers instructions over the phone that they themselves don't understand, or sell books and newspapers that they never read. Alain Deneault is a writer, philosopher, and academic known for his exposés of off-shore tax havens and mining giants. But now, he delves in to our present-day struggle against a global regime that seeks to extinguish critical thought.

 

Alain Deneault's Mediocracy offers a scathing critique of contemporary society, arguing that we are living in an era dominated by mediocrity and conformity. The book explores how the rise of the "extreme center" - a political and social landscape devoid of radical ideas or meaningful change - has led to a stagnation of progress and a decline in critical thinking.

 

About the Author

Alain Deneault (born 1970) is a French Canadian, philosopher and social critic. He is known for his work on corporate power, globalization, and social justice. Mediocracy is one of his most influential books.

 

Main Points

Deneault's central argument is that the "extreme center" has become the dominant force in our society, stifling innovation, creativity, and genuine debate. He contends that this mediocrity is not simply a matter of incompetence but a deliberate strategy employed by those in power to maintain their control. The "extreme centre" promotes a culture of conformity, where individuals are encouraged to blend in rather than stand out, and where dissenting voices are marginalized or dismissed.

Advantages

Thought-provoking analysis: Deneault's book offers a compelling and provocative analysis of contemporary society, challenging readers to reconsider their assumptions about politics, culture, and social change.

Accessible writing: Despite the complex subject matter, Deneault writes in a clear and engaging style, making his ideas accessible to a wide audience.

Timely critique: Mediocracy provides a timely critique of the status quo, offering insights into the challenges facing our society in the 21st century.

Disadvantages

Overly pessimistic: Some critics argue that Deneault's analysis is overly pessimistic, painting a bleak picture of the future.

Lack of concrete solutions: While the book offers a powerful critique of the "extreme center," it may not provide clear-cut solutions for overcoming this challenge.

Quotes

"The extreme center is not a place of moderation but a space of annihilation."

"Mediocrity is not just a lack of talent or intelligence; it is a deliberate strategy to maintain power."

"The extreme center is the enemy of progress, innovation, and creativity."

 

Deneault's Mediocracy is a thought-provoking and timely work that offers a critical examination of the forces shaping our world today. While it may not provide definitive answers, it is a valuable contribution to the ongoing debate about the future of our society.