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Seeing Others: How Recognition Works—and How It Can Heal a Divided World
Acclaimed Harvard sociologist makes the case for reexamining what we value to prioritize recognition—the quest for respect—in an age that has been defined by growing inequality and the obsolescence of the American dream.
In this capstone work, Michèle Lamont unpacks the power of recognition—rendering others as visible and valued—by drawing on nearly forty years of research and new interviews with young adults, and with cultural icons and change agents who intentionally practice recognition—from Nikole Hannah Jones and Cornel West to Michael Schur and Roxane Gay. She shows how new narratives are essential for everyone to feel respect and assert their dignity.
Decades of neoliberalism have negatively impacted our sense of self-worth, up and down the income ladder, just as the American dream has become out of reach for most people. By prioritizing material and professional success, we have judged ourselves and others in terms of self-reliance, competition, and diplomas. The foregrounding of these attributes of the upper-middle class in our values system feeds into the marginalization of workers, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and minority groups. The solution, Lamont argues, is to shift our focus towards what we have in common while actively working to recognize the diverse ways one can live a life. Building on Lamont’s lifetime of expertise and revelatory connections between broad-ranging issues, Seeing Others delivers realistic sources of By reducing stigma, we put change within reach.
Just as Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone did for a previous generation, Seeing Others strikes at the heart of our modern struggles and illuminates an inclusive path forward with new ways for understanding our world.
In this capstone work, Michèle Lamont unpacks the power of recognition—rendering others as visible and valued—by drawing on nearly forty years of research and new interviews with young adults, and with cultural icons and change agents who intentionally practice recognition—from Nikole Hannah Jones and Cornel West to Michael Schur and Roxane Gay. She shows how new narratives are essential for everyone to feel respect and assert their dignity.
Decades of neoliberalism have negatively impacted our sense of self-worth, up and down the income ladder, just as the American dream has become out of reach for most people. By prioritizing material and professional success, we have judged ourselves and others in terms of self-reliance, competition, and diplomas. The foregrounding of these attributes of the upper-middle class in our values system feeds into the marginalization of workers, people of color, LGBTQIA+ individuals, and minority groups. The solution, Lamont argues, is to shift our focus towards what we have in common while actively working to recognize the diverse ways one can live a life. Building on Lamont’s lifetime of expertise and revelatory connections between broad-ranging issues, Seeing Others delivers realistic sources of By reducing stigma, we put change within reach.
Just as Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone did for a previous generation, Seeing Others strikes at the heart of our modern struggles and illuminates an inclusive path forward with new ways for understanding our world.
259 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 12, 2023
29 people are currently reading
2679 people want to read
About the author
Michèle Lamont
22 books38 followersMichèle Lamont is the Robert I. Goldman Professor of European Studies and professor of sociology and African and Africa American Studies at Harvard University.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
August 7, 2023
I won this in a Goodreads Giveaway. Overall, the premise of the book is that we need to provide everyone, especially minority groups, with dignity and basic respect. This is something I feel the US as a whole needs a reminder about.
The author blames our growing division and conflict on neoliberalism, and does use this word literally every few pages, so prepare your self! It also examines how different generations view the "American Dream." I didn't exactly learn anything from this book - I think this is a book that would be better for an older generation (Gen X and Boomers), since it seems to be geared a bit towards them. Or, someone who is just starting to question institutions and systems and is in the very beginnings of that.
The main issue I had with the book is while I understand what the author was TRYING to say, I think the editor should have made sure certain points were worded in a better way. The author is a white Harvard professor discussing about how to help elevate and bring dignity and respect to marginalized groups. The author acknowledges her white/Ivy League privilege BUT simultaneously says that she may have a better idea of the needs of marginalized people than they themselves do because she isn't a part of their community but "looking down" from the outside (she also says she is a 'non-fish' in this scenario, with marginalized people in the fish bowl she's looking into). Again, I understand what she is trying to say but the way it was worded was really off-putting to me and set the tone for the book since this was in the Intro. It felt very "white, educated person knows best" what ails POC.
Overall, a good intro into folks that need a reminder (or to learn) that all groups of people deserve basic dignity, respect, and human rights.
The author blames our growing division and conflict on neoliberalism, and does use this word literally every few pages, so prepare your self! It also examines how different generations view the "American Dream." I didn't exactly learn anything from this book - I think this is a book that would be better for an older generation (Gen X and Boomers), since it seems to be geared a bit towards them. Or, someone who is just starting to question institutions and systems and is in the very beginnings of that.
The main issue I had with the book is while I understand what the author was TRYING to say, I think the editor should have made sure certain points were worded in a better way. The author is a white Harvard professor discussing about how to help elevate and bring dignity and respect to marginalized groups. The author acknowledges her white/Ivy League privilege BUT simultaneously says that she may have a better idea of the needs of marginalized people than they themselves do because she isn't a part of their community but "looking down" from the outside (she also says she is a 'non-fish' in this scenario, with marginalized people in the fish bowl she's looking into). Again, I understand what she is trying to say but the way it was worded was really off-putting to me and set the tone for the book since this was in the Intro. It felt very "white, educated person knows best" what ails POC.
Overall, a good intro into folks that need a reminder (or to learn) that all groups of people deserve basic dignity, respect, and human rights.
January 13, 2025
Seeing Others had so much potential to be a thoughtful, nuanced take on recognition and inclusion, but instead, it’s like sitting through a lecture where the professor assumes anyone who doesn’t already agree is either evil or stupid. It positions itself as a cultural intervention on recognition and dignity, but instead reads like a painfully late entrant into a conversation that has long since shifted past its Overton window.
The premise is solid and it’s why I picked it up. Michèle Lamont starts strong with some sharp observations, like when she writes, “Psychologists tend to focus on what is happening inside the minds of individuals, while economists focus on material circumstances and the distribution of resources.” That’s a fascinating framework. I was ready for her to dive into how recognition lives in the messy in-between space, where culture and worth collide. But the book never gets there.
Instead, it flattens everything into vague, repetitive conclusions that lack any real depth.
The book’s core idea of “seeing others” as a way to combat marginalization and create inclusion is so exciting and this is what I wanted. Practical implications that have to do with making people feel seen. Lamont proposes we “acknowledge people’s existence and positive worth, actively making them visible and valued, reducing their marginalization, and openly integrating them into a group.” I love this!! I wish it was accompanied by ANY information that had a practical element. It does not. Ever.
The book’s tone is academic but incredibly one-sided. It doesn’t feel like an invitation to think; it feels like a lecture where dissent is not welcome. And the irony is, for a book about “seeing others,” it’s completely blind to its own audience.
If you’re already aligned with Lamont’s views, you’ll probably find this repetitive and shallow. If you’re not, you’ll feel alienated and dismissed.
I’m Canadian and not a conservative. And even I could feel the condescension radiating off the page towards American conservatives. This is not a book that’s trying to invite dialogue or explore nuance. It’s a political declaration with no space for disagreement, demonizing “the other side” at every turn. And honestly, it felt weird.
The premise is solid and it’s why I picked it up. Michèle Lamont starts strong with some sharp observations, like when she writes, “Psychologists tend to focus on what is happening inside the minds of individuals, while economists focus on material circumstances and the distribution of resources.” That’s a fascinating framework. I was ready for her to dive into how recognition lives in the messy in-between space, where culture and worth collide. But the book never gets there.
Instead, it flattens everything into vague, repetitive conclusions that lack any real depth.
The book’s core idea of “seeing others” as a way to combat marginalization and create inclusion is so exciting and this is what I wanted. Practical implications that have to do with making people feel seen. Lamont proposes we “acknowledge people’s existence and positive worth, actively making them visible and valued, reducing their marginalization, and openly integrating them into a group.” I love this!! I wish it was accompanied by ANY information that had a practical element. It does not. Ever.
The book’s tone is academic but incredibly one-sided. It doesn’t feel like an invitation to think; it feels like a lecture where dissent is not welcome. And the irony is, for a book about “seeing others,” it’s completely blind to its own audience.
If you’re already aligned with Lamont’s views, you’ll probably find this repetitive and shallow. If you’re not, you’ll feel alienated and dismissed.
I’m Canadian and not a conservative. And even I could feel the condescension radiating off the page towards American conservatives. This is not a book that’s trying to invite dialogue or explore nuance. It’s a political declaration with no space for disagreement, demonizing “the other side” at every turn. And honestly, it felt weird.
April 4, 2023
Michele Lamont is a sociologist who recognizes that our ideas personally and collectively regarding determining whose stories matter is a complex one. Lamont speaks to how different schools of thought approach and analyze this question. The field of psychology is limited to a focus on the inner life and mind of individuals. Economists tend to focus on financial and material resources and how this impacts upward mobility and influence, etc. Michele Lamont is providing her readers with a full spectrum perspective on how recognition plays out both collectively in popular culture but also on an interpersonal, more intimate level.
Seeing Others is a book with less of a focus on what causes division among different groups and more of a focal point on how specific people taking specific action can lead to new ideas about worth and how groups of people are seen. By analyzing the role that recognition plays in our lives, who sees us and how we get seen, the author encourages us to acknowledge our own inherent worth and that of others. In order to really recognize each other we have to question stereotypes, stigma, and negative portrayals. This book provides a great roadmap for how to do that and where to begin.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!
Seeing Others is a book with less of a focus on what causes division among different groups and more of a focal point on how specific people taking specific action can lead to new ideas about worth and how groups of people are seen. By analyzing the role that recognition plays in our lives, who sees us and how we get seen, the author encourages us to acknowledge our own inherent worth and that of others. In order to really recognize each other we have to question stereotypes, stigma, and negative portrayals. This book provides a great roadmap for how to do that and where to begin.
Thank you to the author and publisher for the e-arc copy!
April 20, 2024
Disappointing. Lamont lays out an "argument" for embracing diversity in a way that allows all voices to feel heard - for people to be seen. I don't feel that she covered any new ground. I found myself saying, "yes, yes, obviously - but what can we CHANGE? What can we DO?" Her answer is that we need to change the narratives we create and listen to. OK - I can buy that. But, I didn't get more than a shallow set of examples that spoke more to outcome than to strategic action.
Frustrating: "making managers responsible for diversifying the workforce will help much more than one-off or intermittent diversity trainings." p161 I don't disagree in principle. But I would have liked to have some examples, some experiences reported from her study with Gen Z college students about what this looks like.
"This is not about individuals learning to be kinder, but about figuring out how to transform our societies to produce and diffuse different messages about who matters." p141 This is possibly my favorite sentence in this book. I just don't feel like I got any insight into how we might go about "figuring out how."
As someone who works in a cultural/social/educational institution, I had hoped to find some inspiration and I just didn't find it. Maybe I had the wrong expectations going in.
Frustrating: "making managers responsible for diversifying the workforce will help much more than one-off or intermittent diversity trainings." p161 I don't disagree in principle. But I would have liked to have some examples, some experiences reported from her study with Gen Z college students about what this looks like.
"This is not about individuals learning to be kinder, but about figuring out how to transform our societies to produce and diffuse different messages about who matters." p141 This is possibly my favorite sentence in this book. I just don't feel like I got any insight into how we might go about "figuring out how."
As someone who works in a cultural/social/educational institution, I had hoped to find some inspiration and I just didn't find it. Maybe I had the wrong expectations going in.
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August 12, 2023disclaimer if you’ve read other reviews by me and are noticing a pattern: You’re correct that I don’t really give starred reviews, I feel like a peasant and don’t like leaving them and most often, I will only leave them if I vehemently despised a book. I enjoy most books for what they are, & I extract lessons from them all. Everyone’s reading experiences are subjective, so I hope my reviews provide enough information to let you know if a book is for you or not, regardless if I add stars or not. Find me on Instagram: @bookish.millennial or tiktok: @bookishmillennial
This was a quick nonfiction read from sociology researcher Michéle Lamont & I thought it was accessible / didn’t feel too academic or dense (I have read a *lot* of stuffy academic journals because of my job so really, this was easily digestible).
I think this would be a great book for anyone’s book club, as a primer for understanding the importance of *each individual’s commitment* to anti-racism &building a more just community, &hopefully, world.
I thought “huh, doesn’t everyone know this?” Yet, as I reflected more on this, and as we have constantly seen in the cyclical discourse of BookTok and bookstagram, along with reviews for books that have racist, transphobic, sexist, homophobic, ableist, fatphobic, or xenophobic undertones, I think we need more and more introductory books that include INDIVIDUAL/INTERPERSONAL calls to action. In American society especially where fear-mongering rhetoric has dangerously othered marginalized folks for too long, we need books like this.
The biggest problem I see with allyship is that it’s often performative, & people don’t want to recognize the bias &harm that they themselves have caused. We’re all human, so we all have responsibility in fostering brave spaces full of dialogue to better society. It is not “someone else’s problem,” it’s OURS. I need people to recognize the power of the allyship we participate in EVERY DAY.
This was a quick nonfiction read from sociology researcher Michéle Lamont & I thought it was accessible / didn’t feel too academic or dense (I have read a *lot* of stuffy academic journals because of my job so really, this was easily digestible).
I think this would be a great book for anyone’s book club, as a primer for understanding the importance of *each individual’s commitment* to anti-racism &building a more just community, &hopefully, world.
I thought “huh, doesn’t everyone know this?” Yet, as I reflected more on this, and as we have constantly seen in the cyclical discourse of BookTok and bookstagram, along with reviews for books that have racist, transphobic, sexist, homophobic, ableist, fatphobic, or xenophobic undertones, I think we need more and more introductory books that include INDIVIDUAL/INTERPERSONAL calls to action. In American society especially where fear-mongering rhetoric has dangerously othered marginalized folks for too long, we need books like this.
The biggest problem I see with allyship is that it’s often performative, & people don’t want to recognize the bias &harm that they themselves have caused. We’re all human, so we all have responsibility in fostering brave spaces full of dialogue to better society. It is not “someone else’s problem,” it’s OURS. I need people to recognize the power of the allyship we participate in EVERY DAY.
October 26, 2023
Skandal bir kitap okudum.
Yazar ne diyor biliyor musunuz öyle heyecanla anlatarak hem de.
Siyahiler, LGBTQ, Ataistler, Diğer din mensupları gibi toplumda hakettiği yeri alamamış insaları kucaklayacakmışız. Bak sen hele!
Essah mı diyon kız sen bunları. Hele verdiği son mesaj. Kalem kağıtlarınız hazırsa söylüyorum. Sıkı durun:
Birbirimizi ne kadar iyi tanırsak o kadar iyi bir dünya kurarmışız!
Ya sen Harvard’da Sosyoloji Profesör’üsün. Bu mudur senin söyleyeceklerin. Senden beklentimiz bunlar değil. Hepimiz biliyoruz bunları zaten. Sloganın ötesine geçmeyen çözüm önerileri! yazmışsın. Ben de bir şer okuyacağım zannetmiştim, hevesle aldım kitapçıdan.
Yazık oldu hem verdiğim ücrete hem de vaktime.
Hep sen mi not vereceksin biraz da biz verelim.
Otur yerine 0!
Yazar ne diyor biliyor musunuz öyle heyecanla anlatarak hem de.
Siyahiler, LGBTQ, Ataistler, Diğer din mensupları gibi toplumda hakettiği yeri alamamış insaları kucaklayacakmışız. Bak sen hele!
Essah mı diyon kız sen bunları. Hele verdiği son mesaj. Kalem kağıtlarınız hazırsa söylüyorum. Sıkı durun:
Birbirimizi ne kadar iyi tanırsak o kadar iyi bir dünya kurarmışız!
Ya sen Harvard’da Sosyoloji Profesör’üsün. Bu mudur senin söyleyeceklerin. Senden beklentimiz bunlar değil. Hepimiz biliyoruz bunları zaten. Sloganın ötesine geçmeyen çözüm önerileri! yazmışsın. Ben de bir şer okuyacağım zannetmiştim, hevesle aldım kitapçıdan.
Yazık oldu hem verdiğim ücrete hem de vaktime.
Hep sen mi not vereceksin biraz da biz verelim.
Otur yerine 0!
March 10, 2024
I know I read this book. I remember the cover. But it's been a month and I literally can't recall a thing about it. This is a bad sign.
I do remember I thought it would be more about "recognition", like when someone does a good job at work and it wasn't about that.
I do remember I thought it would be more about "recognition", like when someone does a good job at work and it wasn't about that.
December 16, 2023
All the basic tenant of “shared humanity“ is very powerful and inspiring. I don’t think this work really delivered that insight philosophy very clearly. It did cover some of the reasons why groups of white people consider themselves discriminated against. and or the well established fact that their economic situation is not improved. But the narrative seem to wander quite a bit, and instead of establishing some high-level trends, figures, and then giving the mini Amol and personal evidence, sort of just wandered. I was also a prediction for assuming that, those who needed to be recognized, or somehow underprivileged or disadvantaged, and it was a one-way street from a white middle class instead of understanding, and establishing the core fact of a shared humanity of a diverse society.
There there are many good points and areas covered, including the issue focusing societies, societal problems on individuals. I.e. problems with society are considered individual failures to be addressed, as well as the destructive nature of so-called meritocracy, and the assumption that you can succeed and have a good life just by working hard, and having grit is a fallacy.
She makes the argument that economic equality is not enough or workable. That recognition must come first - which I generally agree with.
Believes in the power of the narrative and the UN Development Report “ capacity to Aspire.
Downplays, unconscious or implicit bias, no promoting transforming the lenses, through which groups are perceived through narrative. She could have a point, but it seems narrow stovepipe thinking.
Her goal is to convince us that we should develop narratives that are inclusive particularly of those groups that are excluded. Agreed to really does not provide any theory approach to how this could be done. Just anecdotal examples of how some people are doing it.
The end of the day it’s an important conversation which she tackles just not comprehensively or conclusively.
No reference to any broad, social or democratized process, thinking philosophy institutions. While acknowledging the power of Hollywood in the media and the media positive review, and analysis is given and more than a third, maybe up to half the interviews of changemakers was Hollywood people.
There there are many good points and areas covered, including the issue focusing societies, societal problems on individuals. I.e. problems with society are considered individual failures to be addressed, as well as the destructive nature of so-called meritocracy, and the assumption that you can succeed and have a good life just by working hard, and having grit is a fallacy.
She makes the argument that economic equality is not enough or workable. That recognition must come first - which I generally agree with.
Believes in the power of the narrative and the UN Development Report “ capacity to Aspire.
Downplays, unconscious or implicit bias, no promoting transforming the lenses, through which groups are perceived through narrative. She could have a point, but it seems narrow stovepipe thinking.
Her goal is to convince us that we should develop narratives that are inclusive particularly of those groups that are excluded. Agreed to really does not provide any theory approach to how this could be done. Just anecdotal examples of how some people are doing it.
The end of the day it’s an important conversation which she tackles just not comprehensively or conclusively.
No reference to any broad, social or democratized process, thinking philosophy institutions. While acknowledging the power of Hollywood in the media and the media positive review, and analysis is given and more than a third, maybe up to half the interviews of changemakers was Hollywood people.
June 17, 2024
First off, I won this as a goodreads giveaway. Thank you Atria and Simon and Schuster for the book.
This book is an introduction on seeing the people around you, no matter how different they are.
Give this book a go and see all of the new people you can meet, and friendships that can be created.
This book is an introduction on seeing the people around you, no matter how different they are.
Give this book a go and see all of the new people you can meet, and friendships that can be created.
July 26, 2024
Interesting read and an important topic, I would have appreciated more focus and detail.
December 16, 2024
Unfortunately, Michèle Lamont fails to demonstrate the capacity for "seeing others" early on in the book and fails to recover. She regularly mentions "right-wing populists" and "Trump supporters" with derision without even making an attempt to "see them" on their own terms. (Now you may see this as a fair stance to take, but it costs one integrity to one's principles if writing a bok on "healing a divided world by seeing others".) At best, she examines demographics of low-class and working-class people to hypothesize why they would fall for these noxious beliefs, suggesting at the end that we can focus on our commonalities with them, such as the need for recognition (that Trump bestows them). Perhaps we could try to offer them recognition. Yes, the book would be much better if the author had actually tried to offer them recognition before writing the book.
I suggest reading Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone. One needs to calm down and empathize with people to listen to them, and to see them. Even if you have an agenda, you need to at least temporily stretch beyond that to see where others are. If your focus is on how to employ "change agents" to craft narratives to help right-wing populists to see the light to recognize people as you think they should, then you will probably fail to see them.
The author notes that she's working from an Ivory Tower, yet her view should hopefully be helpful from its vantage point. Yet the book consists almost entirely of statistics, demographics, and surveys of college students. Further, the "minority" demographics among students who are "less progressive" get short shift. Rather than seeing people, we are told about the progressive mission to "showcase" people from diverse minority groups (aside from our political enemies), control narratives to ensure those we wish to showcase are shown in a good light, etc.
The idea of people from diverse groups being in positions of power over themselves seems good. Support for choosing how to present themselves in media seems good.
The idea of actually recognizing people and seeing them on a heat-to-heart level is great.
Unforutately, this book does not deliver much on this front at all. You'll be better off reading communication books and applying this to one's interactions with people from diverse wakes of life, including across political divides.
I suggest reading Just Listen: Discover the Secret to Getting Through to Absolutely Anyone. One needs to calm down and empathize with people to listen to them, and to see them. Even if you have an agenda, you need to at least temporily stretch beyond that to see where others are. If your focus is on how to employ "change agents" to craft narratives to help right-wing populists to see the light to recognize people as you think they should, then you will probably fail to see them.
The author notes that she's working from an Ivory Tower, yet her view should hopefully be helpful from its vantage point. Yet the book consists almost entirely of statistics, demographics, and surveys of college students. Further, the "minority" demographics among students who are "less progressive" get short shift. Rather than seeing people, we are told about the progressive mission to "showcase" people from diverse minority groups (aside from our political enemies), control narratives to ensure those we wish to showcase are shown in a good light, etc.
The idea of people from diverse groups being in positions of power over themselves seems good. Support for choosing how to present themselves in media seems good.
The idea of actually recognizing people and seeing them on a heat-to-heart level is great.
Unforutately, this book does not deliver much on this front at all. You'll be better off reading communication books and applying this to one's interactions with people from diverse wakes of life, including across political divides.
December 29, 2025
Te vezi: citEști „Seeing Others”, Michele Lamont
„Efectele inegalității își fac apariția în toate aspectele vieții de zi cu zi”. p.25 Michele Lamont, „Seeing Others”, Penguin Books, 2025
Cum ar fi dacă inegalitatea nu e legată doar despre bani, ci mai ales de felul cum ne percepem unii pe alții? Cum te apropii de Solstițiul de iarnă, e momentul pentru o schimbare de perspectivă. Michèle Lamont începe, în „Seeing Others”, o discuție esențială despre „recunoaștere”. Este vorba de procesul subtil prin care unii sunt validați, alții stigmatizați. Neoliberalismul ne-a învățat să vedem valoarea exclusiv prin lentila succesului material și a diplomelor. Asta transformă societatea într-un ring unde doar „profesioniștii cu facultate” câștigă. Dar, spune Lamont, această optică îngustă e toxică! Miza cărții? Să ieși din tipare, să recunoști și să iei în considerare o paletă largă de contribuții. De la munca de îngrijire la integritatea morală. Asta ar permite tuturor să „strălucească în lumini diferite”. Cu studii pe Gen Z și „agenți ai schimbării”, cartea oferă o hartă către o reziliență colectivă. E un ghid care îți rescrie narațiunile sociale. Scopul ar fi o lume unde mai mulți oameni se simt demni, un ideal necesar pentru a vindeca diviziunile profunde.
„Multe vor depinde de cât de repede vom realiza nevoia de a elabora noi orientări colective”. p.154 Michele Lamont, „Seeing Others”, Penguin Books, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnKHM...
„Efectele inegalității își fac apariția în toate aspectele vieții de zi cu zi”. p.25 Michele Lamont, „Seeing Others”, Penguin Books, 2025
Cum ar fi dacă inegalitatea nu e legată doar despre bani, ci mai ales de felul cum ne percepem unii pe alții? Cum te apropii de Solstițiul de iarnă, e momentul pentru o schimbare de perspectivă. Michèle Lamont începe, în „Seeing Others”, o discuție esențială despre „recunoaștere”. Este vorba de procesul subtil prin care unii sunt validați, alții stigmatizați. Neoliberalismul ne-a învățat să vedem valoarea exclusiv prin lentila succesului material și a diplomelor. Asta transformă societatea într-un ring unde doar „profesioniștii cu facultate” câștigă. Dar, spune Lamont, această optică îngustă e toxică! Miza cărții? Să ieși din tipare, să recunoști și să iei în considerare o paletă largă de contribuții. De la munca de îngrijire la integritatea morală. Asta ar permite tuturor să „strălucească în lumini diferite”. Cu studii pe Gen Z și „agenți ai schimbării”, cartea oferă o hartă către o reziliență colectivă. E un ghid care îți rescrie narațiunile sociale. Scopul ar fi o lume unde mai mulți oameni se simt demni, un ideal necesar pentru a vindeca diviziunile profunde.
„Multe vor depinde de cât de repede vom realiza nevoia de a elabora noi orientări colective”. p.154 Michele Lamont, „Seeing Others”, Penguin Books, 2025
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnKHM...
February 12, 2024
In the very first pages, we get to think about what happened to George Floyd The pages give us a powerful example for what happens to Black men. Page 8 gives “Again, I am motivated by hope, because we urgently need new was to dissuade people form the appeal of right-wing extremism that is fed by cynicism and a desire to ‘buck the system.’ “And, in page 11 there is “We are in the midst of a conflict over where we are heading as a society.” (11)
Pages 32-33 show of the upper-middle class and the first time Trump shows up in the book. Chapter 6, “The Work of Change Agenda in Hollywood and Beyond” has a statement about Trump.
Chapter 6 is “The Work of Change Agenda in Hollywood and Beyond.” Chapter 7, “The Next Generation” has the themes to make the changes. And then Chapter
8, “Different Yet the Same, ” is the material about changes for the work.
One the longer Chapter 7 explains what needs can happen to make changes. Chapter 8 is “Solutions for Building an Inclusive Society.” The leading sentence is “How else can we promote the social inclusion of those who are often viewed as second-class citizens in our divided world?”
Michele Lamont is faculty member at European Studies at Harvard University. The book shows that there are many ways to understand what is wrong and what we can do in our country.
Pages 32-33 show of the upper-middle class and the first time Trump shows up in the book. Chapter 6, “The Work of Change Agenda in Hollywood and Beyond” has a statement about Trump.
Chapter 6 is “The Work of Change Agenda in Hollywood and Beyond.” Chapter 7, “The Next Generation” has the themes to make the changes. And then Chapter
8, “Different Yet the Same, ” is the material about changes for the work.
One the longer Chapter 7 explains what needs can happen to make changes. Chapter 8 is “Solutions for Building an Inclusive Society.” The leading sentence is “How else can we promote the social inclusion of those who are often viewed as second-class citizens in our divided world?”
Michele Lamont is faculty member at European Studies at Harvard University. The book shows that there are many ways to understand what is wrong and what we can do in our country.
June 1, 2023
I received this book through a Goodreads giveaway, and I was very excited to read it. I thought it was going to give/show ideas on how to help bring people together. What it ended up being was just another book about standard DEI talking points. The author continuously paints white, conservative men to be the evil that creates all of societies issues. Like most of the DEI talks that I have seen, this book is not inclusive. It states issues that minorities have, which I don't disagree with, and then blames white, conservative men for those problems. If this book is meant to "heal a divided world" I think it has/will fail. Inclusion and recognition for minority groups is very important, but by including and recognizing them it is not healthy to exclude and disregard those that don't fit into those groups. I would love to read a book similar to this that truly is inclusive and starts to open discussions between groups so that people will finally start to see that our differences not only make us unique, but can benefit everyone.
January 25, 2025
Seeing Others by Michèle Lamont offers an insightful and powerful exploration of cultural inclusion and how we perceive and value one another. Drawing from years of research on inequality and cultural change, Lamont simplifies complex ideas, making them both clear and engaging, while challenging readers to rethink what we know about inclusion. A standout aspect of the book is her examination of how different generations—especially Gen Z—are not just making minor adjustments but are completely reshaping societal norms. They are embracing differences, questioning outdated beliefs, and advocating for a world where everyone is valued. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in social justice or cultural change, providing an eye-opening look at the forces shaping our future.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
A huge thanks to NetGalley, the author, and the publisher for the opportunity to read this advanced copy.
January 21, 2024
The message of this book, while very simple, is extremely important for the sociopolitical paths of the Western world, especially if we want to win the fight against fascism. This message of including everyone that’s underrepresented or left behind socioeconomically in the fight for improving living conditions and focusing less on division needs to come to the forefront of the political left if they want to make any real progress.
I didn’t particularly learn a lot while reading this book, but the ease of digesting this book will probably help a lot for people to take something away from this book.
I wish the author would have used endnotes within the main text so I could easily see which reference goes for which statement.
Overall, easy read, very important takeaway message.
I didn’t particularly learn a lot while reading this book, but the ease of digesting this book will probably help a lot for people to take something away from this book.
I wish the author would have used endnotes within the main text so I could easily see which reference goes for which statement.
Overall, easy read, very important takeaway message.
February 4, 2026
I found Seeing Others through a book club, and it’s one of those thoughtful reads that lingers with you. Michèle Lamont explores the idea of recognition, the basic human need to feel seen, respected, and valued, and shows how much of today’s division is tied to struggles over dignity, not just money or politics.
She blends research with real voices, which keeps it grounded and human rather than overly academic. The book leans more toward reflection than toward solution-heavy, but that’s part of its strength: it challenges how we judge others and what we consider “worth.”
It’s a great discussion book, timely, humane, and likely to make readers rethink how they see the people around them.
She blends research with real voices, which keeps it grounded and human rather than overly academic. The book leans more toward reflection than toward solution-heavy, but that’s part of its strength: it challenges how we judge others and what we consider “worth.”
It’s a great discussion book, timely, humane, and likely to make readers rethink how they see the people around them.
November 13, 2023
I’m split on this book. Lamont wrote an excellent book about the challenges marginalized people go through and what we can do about it. It’s a fantastic book when you look at it as a book about social justice, but I was sort of sold on getting this book because it was written by a sociologist. I was expecting a lot more data-driven research in this book or even some psychological research. While the author interviewed quite a few people for the book, the book was primarily opinion rather than the research I’d expect from an academic writing a book like this.
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February 3, 2026In Seeing Others, Michèle Lamont offers {InkLight Book Club} a powerful masterclass in empathy. She argues that our obsession with professional success and material wealth has created a "recognition gap," leaving many feeling invisible.
By blending decades of research with interviews from cultural icons, Lamont shows us that healing a divided world starts with redefining what we value. It’s a timely, essential read for our group that challenges us to look past status and truly see the dignity in every individual.
By blending decades of research with interviews from cultural icons, Lamont shows us that healing a divided world starts with redefining what we value. It’s a timely, essential read for our group that challenges us to look past status and truly see the dignity in every individual.
July 15, 2023
A timely, compelling, and thought-provoking look at recognition and dignity. It is an accessible call to action with practical advice on how we can be more inclusive and how we can reshape narratives to reflect what we want society to be. Cultural norms can shift if we want them to, including how we define "success" and who gets to be recognized and feel worth (why not everyone?).
Thank you very much to Atria and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
Thank you very much to Atria and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advance copy.
February 3, 2026
I discovered this book through a book club, and Seeing Others immediately caught my attention for its insightful exploration of recognition and respect in a divided society. Michèle Lamont highlights how limited definitions of success reinforce inequality and makes a compelling case for embracing diverse ways of living to reduce stigma and strengthen social bonds. I would love to see your book next in the event!
February 3, 2026
I came across this book through a book club, and Seeing Others immediately drew me in with its thoughtful examination of recognition and respect in a deeply divided society. Michèle Lamont compellingly shows how narrow definitions of success perpetuate inequality, while advocating for the recognition of diverse ways of life as a means to reduce stigma and foster stronger social connections. I would love to see your book in our next up coming event!
February 3, 2026
I recently came across Seeing Others in a book club, and it really stood out for its insightful look at recognition and respect in today’s divided world. Michèle Lamont highlights how limited definitions of success fuel inequality and makes a compelling case for valuing diverse ways of living to reduce stigma and strengthen social connections. I’d be thrilled to see your book featured at the next event!
February 3, 2026
Seeing Others by Michèle Lamont offers an important and thoughtful look at how recognition, truly valuing people beyond status, credentials, or success, can help heal divisions in society. Lamont blends research with real-world insight to show why dignity and respect matter for everyone. This book gave our club a lot to think about and discuss, especially around empathy, inclusion, and what it means to see one another.
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February 4, 2026I came across Seeing Others through a book club discussion, and it immediately struck me as a thoughtful, timely exploration of dignity, respect, and what it truly means to be seen. Michèle Lamont’s focus on recognition feels both urgent and hopeful, offering a powerful lens for understanding inequality beyond economics.
I’d love for the book club to feature her book in our next upcoming event, it’s exactly the kind of work that sparks meaningful, inclusive conversations.
I’d love for the book club to feature her book in our next upcoming event, it’s exactly the kind of work that sparks meaningful, inclusive conversations.
February 4, 2026
I came across Seeing Others in a book club, and it really stayed with me. Michèle Lamont makes a strong, accessible case that many of today’s divisions come from a lack of recognition, people not feeling seen or valued, and that rethinking what we respect can help heal those divides.
It’s timely, thoughtful, and perfect for discussion. I’d love for our book club to feature this book at our next event.
It’s timely, thoughtful, and perfect for discussion. I’d love for our book club to feature this book at our next event.
February 4, 2026
I came across *Seeing Others* through a book club, and it immediately stood out. Michèle Lamont thoughtfully examines how recognition and respect influence inequality and our sense of belonging. The ideas are timely, accessible, and deeply relevant, turning complex sociology into something very human.
It’s a book that naturally invites rich discussion, and I’d love to see it featured at one of our upcoming book club events.
It’s a book that naturally invites rich discussion, and I’d love to see it featured at one of our upcoming book club events.
February 3, 2026
I came across this book in a book club, and Seeing Others immediately stood out for its thoughtful take on recognition and respect in a divided world. Michèle Lamont shows how narrow ideas of success deepen inequality, and argues for valuing diverse ways of living as a way to reduce stigma and rebuild social connection. I would love to see your book next at the event!
February 3, 2026
I came across Seeing Others through InkLight Book Club, and it was a thoughtful, eye-opening read. The book explores how recognition, respect, and dignity shape our social lives, and how the lack of them deepens division. It made me reflect on how small acts of understanding and acknowledgment can play a powerful role in healing a divided world.
February 3, 2026
Seeing Others by Michèle Lamont argues that social division comes from a lack of recognition, people not feeling seen or valued. The book encourages shifting from judging worth by success or status to recognizing shared human dignity. Thought-provoking and relevant, it’s a good book-club read, though more reflective than practical.
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