The Madness of Crowds by Douglas Murray

Why read the book?

In Douglas Murray’s book, The Madness of Crowds: Gender, Race, and Identity, he takes a deep dive into how identity politics has gone completely off the rails. He argues that it’s become a crazy, dogmatic frenzy that’s tearing society apart with all these divisive and contradictory ideas.

Murray looks at how things like gender, race, and sexuality, which were once about justice, have turned into strict rules that stop people from talking and punish anyone who disagrees. He uses sharp analysis to criticise things like the crazy behaviour of #MeToo, the contradictions of intersectionality, and the whole obsession with victimhood.

He says these things are all messing up our ability to think clearly, speak freely, and be human together. Murray draws from examples from the media, academia, and politics, and his writing is clear and easy to follow. But it’s also a bit controversial, so it might not be for everyone. Overall, it’s a compelling call to resist conformity and think for ourselves.

Favourite quote

We are going through a great crowd derangement. In public and in private, both online and off, people are behaving in ways that are increasingly irrational, feverish, herd-like and simply unpleasant.

What I Loved

Murray’s book, The Madness of Crowds, is a real page-turner! He’s got a brilliant mind and isn’t afraid to challenge the status quo. He takes a deep dive into how identity politics, especially around race, gender, and sexuality, creates new beliefs that are hard to shake off.

He uses real-life examples, from campus debates to social media feuds, to make his points clear and easy to understand. Murray’s wit and clarity shine through, and he makes complex ideas really engaging. He covers a lot of ground, from the U.S. to the U.K., and shows how these debates affect people all over the world. He also takes a critical look at figures like Judith Butler and the contradictions within progressive movements.

Some people might find his conservative views a bit too strong, but his message of prioritising reason, forgiveness, and open dialogue is really powerful. It’s a call to action for anyone who’s worried about getting too caught up in groupthink and wants to see a more nuanced approach to these complex issues.

Key Takeaway

In a world where everyone thinks the same, it takes guts to stand up for your own beliefs and have a good old-fashioned debate.