For Common Things: Irony, Trust and Commitment in America Today

by Jedediah Purdy

Jedediah Purdy calls For Common Things his "letter of love for the world's possibilities." Indeed, these pages--which garnered a flurry of attention among readers and in the media--constitute a passionate and persuasive testament to the value of political, social, and community reengagement. Drawing on a wide range of literary and cultural influences--from the writings of Montaigne and Thoreau to the recent popularity of empty entertainment and breathless chroniclers of the technological age--Purdy raises potent questions about our stewardship of civic values.

Most important, Purdy offers us an engaging, honest, and bracing reminder of what is crucial to the healing and betterment of society, and impels us to consider all that we hold in common.

Genres: Nonfiction, Philosophy, Politics, Essays, Sociology, Contemporary, American

256 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a charming little mess of a book that took me approximately forever to finish. It's meandering, and dated, and not as good as the things it's heavily cribbing from (Purdy does at least acknowledge his debts to Tocqueville, Thoreau, and Wendell Berry - I suspect he should add Robert Putnam and possibly some of DFW's essays to that list), but there's something to it that still matters 15 years later. It's a book that has attracted a lot of negative attention, and I think unfairly so - the antipathy seems to be half people who are not-so-secretly jealous that someone else's cobbled-together musings were deemed publishable and half people who, by not actually reading the book, felt free to inaccurately caricature Purdy as an earnest Pollyanna figure. It is emphatically not a book about embracing naive positivity or being uncritical - rather, it is about being engaged and compassionate. Things I enjoyed: the gorgeous language, Purdy's obvious love for the Appalachian landscape, the riveting and inspiring section on central Europe's pro-democracy movements (we clearly like to geek out over similar things). Things I could have done without: the boooooring and shallow genetic engineering section (Purdy's lack of expertise on the topic really shows) and the lack of organizational structure (lots of following Purdy's train of thought from, say, mountaintop removal to Czeslaw Milosz and back with no rhyme or reason), which had the effect of making lots of content pretty forgettable, even as I was enjoying it in the moment. I really want to rate it higher on the grounds of feeling like I've found a kindred spirit, but given the unevenness, this seems like an accurate reflection of my actual enjoyment level.

[E. C. Koch · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a title mentioned in HBO's The Newsroom of all places, a show from a writer with whom I'm infatuated enough that I, obviously, took the inadvertent hint and picked up a copy. And I'm glad I did. Purdy's argument provides further grounding for a still-developing conception of the socio-cultural effects of what I have come to call the aestheticization of irony. In his intro. and first chapter, Purdy does an exceptional job outlining how ironic discourse has been diffused in our everyday communications and, by extension, our habitual patterns of thought. This treatment is of greatest interest and use to me, but this book is mostly about how such hostility to hope and a learned expectation that public officials don't mean what they say have prevented politics from performing its ostensibly positive social role. This then twists in on itself and constructs the negative feedback loop that encourages the ironic treatment of public life which Purdy would have his readers restore their trust in and seek to improve for the good of the commons. Like Costa's The Watchmen's Rattle, I found my interest waning once Purdy left his aesthetic theorization for a focus on the material consequences of irony, though by reading the one right the other I found myself growing more open to considering the importance of the New Sincerity's parallel material fronts (though the N.S. remains based in aesthetics for me). To a certain degree, like reading "The Suffering Channel," I can't help but feel a sense of tragedy (it's dramatic irony, really) when reading this knowing that the War-on-Terror political era is soon to come (following 9/11) and what that event's (and that event's provoked responses') effect on political speech and amplification of irony's exchange with politics will be. It's as though this was written at the last possible moment for the kind of hope he attaches to America's political future. I wonder, again like I did with Costa, why Purdy doesn't cite "Politics and the English Language" or "E Unibus Plurum," or discuss mass entertainment at any significant length, or contend with art's role in either encouraging or subverting irony's continued social currency (he starts with Seinfeld, but that's about the extent of it). These criticisms, though, don't, for the most part, meet the book on its terms, which, I submit, isn't fair. Purdy, ultimately, offers several new iterations of irony's separation of declaration and meaning in the political sphere of millennial America which is interesting and useful and totally crucial to returning anything close to purpose to politics today.

[Nathan · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5

[Matt Evans · Rating 3 out of 5]

Earnest and almost kind of pushy, with a dash of self-righteousness. This book made me hate irony and then, slowly, I began to hate Mr. Purdy for making me hate irony. Now, older and wiser (I read the book back in 2000), I remember only that this book introduced me to The Captive Mind, by Czeslaw Milosz. Mr. Milosz's novel book is required reading for anyone who seeks to understand communism (outside of the Reagan-era Evil-Empire propoganda).

[empty mug · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved how Purdy tied in his experiences on a farm with politics. In this way his message of intertwining one’s own personal life with a greater common good is epitomized. He talks of environmental policies and how while others are not in support of them for reasons of personal self interest he could do something like that because the farm he grew up on made him deeply connected with nature. I honestly think the concept is very good, that we shouldn’t fall prey to “foolish hope” or “idle pessimism”, as both accomplish nothing. One too idealistic gets us nowhere and is often to radical and doesn’t take into account reality or it’s affect on people, the other is just not moving for that sake of not moving because all hope is lost. He is so right in that a balance is needed. And so he doesn’t propose giving up one’s life for bettering humanity or solely focusing on oneself, but doing what one loves while also taking into account our “common things” and the bigger picture.

While this sounds great I honestly think this is hypocritical and too idealistic. Purdy is able to think this way because of his upbringing, education, and entrepreneurial way of thinking. But most of humanity is not like this, and in their short lives will likely focus on themselves. And so I still maintain the position that while this philosophy can be maintained in some lives, it most it cannot and life will go on exactly how it has been. As the masses were not the ones to create policy it was a select few great thinkers, and so while policy might keep world order, and keep all from falling into chaos it get never fundamentally change people, only keep them teetering from the edge of falling back to their familiar ways of selfish greed, and sheep like small mindedness (the ability to scarcely see far ahead).

To conclude I think his philosophy is good to adapt for those who can, but there is no saving grace for the rest of humanity.

[Tony Boskovich · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took me years to get through this little book; I had to restart it at least 3 times. Once I finished it, two overarching thoughts hit me. The first is how little we have really changed since the Clinton administration. Even as there were seemingly monumental political moments and a shift to populism, the “me” brand has intensified. Communities have transformed into the metaverse, and likeminded people have progressively siloed themselves. Populism has thrived and regenerated, but actual involvement is no better than it was 30 years ago, and political charlatans have actually gone from the fringe to the forefront. The second is that the book abruptly changed gears and tone at Chapter 5, and the book transformed from an obtuse time to something more readable. I actually wanted to keep reading. The conclusion, however, left me asking if the ordeal had been worth it, because all he really says is that we need to be civilly involved in order to preserve and advance society and to protect what is most dear to us. He honestly didn’t need 200 pages to say that. But as an early work by a brilliant young man, it was certainly a good start.

[Al · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book got off to a slow start for me by dwelling extensively on the ubiquitous (to the author) presence of irony in our society. Mea culpa, perhaps, but I couldn't grasp or even get interested in what he was driving at. But the book picked up steam when Purdy got down to cases and made a strong one for living the examined, useful life in a time when all too many are not. He warns that by not committing to participate in our communities and beyond, we are risking the downfall not only of our society, but indeed the world and our humanity. Not a new concept, perhaps, but persuasively and gracefully argued here. In the end, a worthwhile read.

[K ✩ · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Purdy deserves high praise for vindicating the belief that civic engagement can still be meaningful, important, and authentic.”

All I want to say is!! This book is peak aaron sorkin idealism that can be observed whenever he screenwrites about cynical times (as in the newsroom, a few good men, and charlie wilson’s war, ++). This talks of terminal irony and people’s refusal to hope and care openly, and how incredibly easy it is for us to turn a blind eye. Still not sure what to make of it but it was definitely a good read with interesting ideas (semi makalat thought process aside). If anything, it made my decision making process (in the field I’m currently in, atleast) extremely difficult.

[Justin Pitt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. Still relevant after 22 years, and prescient in many ways. It's fascinating to read this book written in 1999 about the dangers of irony and cynicism and the need for a common and public life in light of the culture of self-righteousness, moral certainty and public chaos of 2021.

[Dario · Rating 4 out of 5]

4,5 war eine weitachweifender, aber trotzdem jederzeit unterhaltender essay, der einem neben der hauptthese das ländliche leben west virginias näher bringt

[Tara van Beurden · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is mentioned numerous times in the final episode of Season 2 of Aaron Sorkin’s The Newsroom, which is one of my favourite shows of all time. The themes of this book are mentioned throughout the episode and inspire one of the main characters to make the right decision in a crucial situation. I’m not sure I got quite the same vibe from the book, and like many of these such books, there’s a definite American theme to it, that whole ‘America the great’ flavour that really grates me as an Australian. However, Purdy asks some important questions about the emptiness of current entertainment, of our responsibility to civic values, which upon reflection is the core of what Newsroom was trying to get at. I agree with Purdy’s concerns and desire for humanity to seek out and fulfil the possibilities available to us. How he puts his argument across, to my mind, requires a little more consideration for the values of the broader human society. Nonetheless, an important discussion particularly as we rapidly approach the multi-planetary era.

[Robert Corbett · Rating 1 out of 5]

Good ole dim american calvinism. Imagine he studied with Harvey Mansfield at Harvard and got a book contract that way. And eventually became a lawyer. Yes, this is a young man's book, and there should some leeway because of that, but to be so self-puffed that one can't see how one has simply mistaken an effect for a cause. For dear reader, no well, if there is anything that is common in America, it is irony and humor and back handed pragmatic overcoming of fear that keeps the country together--that and the military and all the surveillance, not to mention capitalism and a good night life--and to think otherwise, however tasteful one's prose, is to be idiot and tell a tale fully of sound and fury, signifying ...

[J. Dunn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve been thinking and reading a lot about irony, its pervasive effect on the way we think and communicate, and what the implications of that are for our personal, social, and political prospects. This isn’t incredibly sophisticated or original from a theory or analysis standpoint, but what it’s saying is nonetheless important and worth saying, especially on the part of someone of my own generation who has grown up in an irony-saturated society. Seems like a good bridge between Foster Wallace’s worries about irony and culture in E Unibus Pluram and Putnam’s worries about the decline of civic participation in Bowling Alone.

[D. George · Rating 3 out of 5]

I dearly wish that I could give this book five stars, and encourage everyone to read it, because the world (or at least the U.S.) would be a better place if more people shared Purdy's convictions. But unfortunately, as much as I love the sentiment, I'm afraid I just hate its delivery -- to say that I'm not a fan of Purdy's writing voice would be a gross understatement. Again, though, the ideas in this book need to be spread as widely as possible, and I hope that most people don't share my aversion to his style.

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love you, please change. Jed's love letter to humanity is a passionate plea to sensibility and responsibility. We must all live with a clear sense of who we are and act with conviction upon our beliefs. We must recognize the limitations of our laws and governments and leverage our individual creativity and collective might to help make the world a better place for all. I couldn't agree more.

[Greg Whaley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a really great book. I had not considered the vicissitudes of the rise of societal ironicism and its virulent effect on the public square. It caused me to wonder if the current disingenuous political landscape is not a repercussion of the culture's praise and adulation of the ironist. The book was a powerful call to understanding how the things (people and freedoms) we love are dependent on the common systems and institutions inherent in our democracy.

[Ann Rothschild · Rating 3 out of 5]

As this was originally published in 1999, I thought I was a little late to the party on this one. The content inspires hope and weariness. I remember being in high school in 1974 and have a mixture of hope and disillusionment. This writer was born in 1974 and deconstructs the irony and the sarcasm he experiences. There is hope and there is fear. The thread here is hope, and that makes this book worth the read.

[Lee Klein · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sometimes unable to resist the urge to skim sections about Central European politics or West Virginian mountaintop removal. Engaged through first 100 pages. Classically steady prose, mostly persuasive, respectful, insightful, but also often outdated, especially a lot of the apolitical bits. I wonder what he thinks of ironic political shows like The Daily Show and The Colbert Report?

[Jody Hultman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jedediah brings back faith in my generation. We're not all slack-jawed, lazy, no-good bums after all. There are the rare few of us who still see past the outer layers and seek to better the world one person at a time. Thank you Jedediah!

[Penny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking at today's lack of community through our use of "ironic avoidance."

[August]

I liked all the talk about strip mining. That's the most I remember about the book. However, I have kept it for ten years so there must be some good reason why I never sold it.

[Elizabeth A.]

refreshing, fun

[Heather C. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved this book--lots of cool insights on our society. A very good read. I would like chat with this guy over lunch.

[Tyler · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good insight into our culture and what may be wrong. Jedediah Purdy is a little too smart for me and I had to reread a lot of pages to understand what he was talking about.

[Bonnie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maybe a little bit dry in spots, but relevant and thought provoking. Good read all in all. Too bad more people don't think like this.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Well-argued treatise on behalf of the common good... nice antidote to the selfish, libertarian perspective that undergirds much of today's politics.

[Brock · Rating 3 out of 5]

Trade cynicism and irony for a little righteous indignation.

[Patrick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good concepts but the prose is challenging to read. It could have been more clearly written but would have been perhaps less poetic in conveying the concepts.

[booklover · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well-written innovative, insightful ideas expressed by a deep thinker. A pleasure to read and interesting thoughts to explore.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written book that echoes some of my thoughts but also seems a little long winded in some areas.