In Why We Hate Us, Meyer absolutely nails America's early-twenty-first-century mood disorder. He points out the most widespread carriers of the why-we-hate-us germs, including the belligerence of partisan politics that perverts our democracy, the decline of once common manners, the vulgarity of Hollywood entertainment, the superficiality and untrustworthiness of the news media, the cult of celebrity, and the disappearance of authentic neighborhoods and voluntary organizations (the kind that have actual meetings where one can hobnob instead of just clicking in an online contribution). Meyer argues that when the social, spiritual, and political turmoil that followed the sixties collided with the technological and media revolution at the turn of the century, something inside us hit overload. American culture no longer reflects our own values. As a result, we are now morally and existentially tired, disoriented, anchorless, and defensive. The author reveals why we feel this way and also offers a thoughtful and uplifting prescription for breaking out of our current morass and learning how to hate us less.--From publisher description.

Land of the fake -- Early 21st century irritants -- America untied -- OmniMedia -- Phony people, phony places -- A civic war -- OmniMarketing -- The character gap -- Authenticity, thoughtfulness, and many things.