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If You Can Read This: The Philosophy of Bumper Stickers
A PICTURE MAY BE WORTH A THOUSAND WORDS—BUT A FEW CHOICE WORDS CAN SPEAK VOLUMES! • If Ignorance Is Bliss, Why Aren’t More People Happy?• Bottled Water Is for Suckers• Clones Are People Too• At Least the War on the Environment Is Going Well• Don’t Believe Everything You Think• The Revolution Will Be Tweeted Long before blogs, tweets, and sound bites, people were telling the world how they felt in brief, blunt bursts of information plastered on the backs of their cars. Whether they’re political or religious, passionate or proud, controversial or corny, these brightly colored, boldly lettered mini manifestos are declarations of who we are, where we stand, and what we’d rather be doing. But as bestselling author and noted philosopher Jack Bowen reveals, there’s much more to the pop-culture phenomenon of bumper stickers than rolling one-liners and drive-by propaganda—no less, in fact, than a wise, funny, poignant, contentious, and truthful discourse on the human condition. Mixing pop culture with the ideas of historically prominent philosophers and scientists, If You Can Read This exposes the deeper wisdom couched behind these slogans—or, as need be, exposes where they have gone wrong. If you brake for big ideas, now’s the time.
250 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2010
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March 14, 2015
Bowen�s statement on page 95 best summarizes the book: �Note to any first-year high school teachers looking for an example to teach �dogmatism,� look no further.� I sought out this book after hearing a book tour discussion with the author on the radio and was really excited. Apparently, Bowen is much more congenial in public than he is when he�s in his university office writing a book.[return][return]If You Can Read This uses bumper stickers as a jumping off point to go on rant after rant�discussing all the petty little things that are alluded to in Philosophy 100 lectures across the country but for the sake of keeping academic tenor are rarely brought out into the full light. Instead of using bumper stickers as an opportunity to elevate discussion, Bowen swings the door wide open and mocks, stereotypes, and arrogantly dismisses any idea that he doesn�t hold. Bowen�s distain for anyone who may practice (or even respect) religious traditions is particularly dogmatic. Ironically, I know dozens of religious fundamentalists who are not only much more thoughtful than he asserts, they�re more thoughtful than this book. [return][return]I was hoping to find a funny and light-hearted approach to philosophy that I could incorporate into my ethics classes. Instead, other than the funny, sarcastic, and counter-cultural bumper stickers that I loved, all I found was a philosophy discussion that as biased and deep as the ones my students already get from FOX News and MSNBC. Yuck![return][return]In fairness, this whole book might be a brilliant meta-commentary, ironically showing us how bad critical, academic thought would be if we approached the world with the same self-righteous attitude bumper stickers convey. Sadly, I doubt that was the case.
May 11, 2010
Again, another book I wasn't sure what I was going to get from it, but really enjoyed it. He presents a lot of information in this book that really makes you think. A really interesting book, definitely recommend it.
October 4, 2018
Review title: If you can read this, don't
What sounds like a fun look at philosophy through the deliberately reduced field of vision of the bumper sticker turns into a materialist, anti-religion (primarily anti-Christian), and pseudo-philosophical rant that is neither enlightening, nor amusing, nor consistent.
On one page (p. 129) he seems to seriously take pro-life activists to task for not giving enough thought to those millions of times when conception is halted naturally during the first weeks of pregnancy before the woman is even aware of it. Bowen's claim that 4 million of these naturally occurring events in the course of conception are as important as 1.3 million intentional abortions (he cites 2008 statistics but gives no source) would be laughable were it not so morally bankrupt.
On the next page (p. 130), while discussing the bumper sticker slogan "Clones are people too", Bowen writes:
So on one page he dismisses those who try to save unborn children--who are unquestionably "human (i.e., they have human DNA)"--yet on the next page he vilifies those who consider other races, genders , and ethnicities as human but less than people? This is a moral inconsistency simple enough to fit on a bumper sticker. Were I not a Christian and therefore ignorant, flat-earth believing, and incapable of intelligent thought, I would say that his inconsistency is a direct result of his materialist atheism.
While we're on the topic of DNA, for all his self-satisfied stance of philosophical and scientific wisdom and holier-than-thou insulting of anyone who questions evolution as scientific fact, he fails to understand both the facts he claims to know and the arguments of those he insults. He cites "selective breeding of dogs (where do you think all these breeds came from?)" (p. 117) as evidence of evolution, when in fact this is not naturally selected mutation of genetic material resulting in species change (i. e., evolution) at all, but just cosmetic changes within species based on selected characteristics. And nearly all creationists agree that evolution (i. e., naturally selected mutation of genetic material resulting in species change) is an operational scientific change mechanism; what they dispute is that evolution by itself is not sufficient to account for the origins of life, including the chemical, biological, genetic, and data complexity of DNA.
To be fair, Bowen does later (p. 149-151) consider serious philosophical arguments about the beginning and value of life and the human cost and mortality of abortion, and he isn't always so smugly condescending in his analysis of bumper-sticker statements. Besides the obvious humor in treating bumper sticker material as serious philosophical statements, he is sometimes able to introduce great philosophers and their ideas to a presumably novice audience (Bowen has a masters in philosophy and teaches the subject). However, he never presents a consistent overview of philosophical approaches to any subject, except that he is consistently and very smugly anti-Christian and consistently references eastern religions in approving tones . I find it more than ironic, in fact historically ignorant and inaccurate, when he mocks Christians for believing that the sun revolved around the earth at a time when nearly every observer from every culture and religion believed the same thing, and it was only Christianity which provided the philosophical worldview that supported the scientific method that enabled Galileo, a Christian, to discover that the earth revolved around the sun.
Bowen begins with a discussion of the philosophical and linguistic meaning of labels to identify things and ideas, an appropriate starting point since statements that are short enough to fit on the physical size of a bumper sticker and simple enough to be grasped in a few seconds by readers driving or passing by must rely on labels that are commonly known and understood. He also points out the flaws of labels and the logic with which we apply them. Then he promptly proceeds to apply labels to attack Christianity. The biggest flaw in this approach, and the reason I rated it a 1-star "Waste of paper", is the risk that the novice audience toward which it appears to be directed would not have the understanding of logic and philosophy and the knowledge of history to recognize the slanted view of philosophy that Bowen is presenting.
What sounds like a fun look at philosophy through the deliberately reduced field of vision of the bumper sticker turns into a materialist, anti-religion (primarily anti-Christian), and pseudo-philosophical rant that is neither enlightening, nor amusing, nor consistent.
On one page (p. 129) he seems to seriously take pro-life activists to task for not giving enough thought to those millions of times when conception is halted naturally during the first weeks of pregnancy before the woman is even aware of it. Bowen's claim that 4 million of these naturally occurring events in the course of conception are as important as 1.3 million intentional abortions (he cites 2008 statistics but gives no source) would be laughable were it not so morally bankrupt.
On the next page (p. 130), while discussing the bumper sticker slogan "Clones are people too", Bowen writes:
in frighteningly recent history replacing "clones" with the word "Blacks," "Women," or "Jews" would not have been universally well received. While everyone would agree that all four categories mentioned here are human (i.e., they have human DNA) the question at hand is, "Are they people?". . . . the answer to all of the above is a resounding "Yes."
So on one page he dismisses those who try to save unborn children--who are unquestionably "human (i.e., they have human DNA)"--yet on the next page he vilifies those who consider other races, genders , and ethnicities as human but less than people? This is a moral inconsistency simple enough to fit on a bumper sticker. Were I not a Christian and therefore ignorant, flat-earth believing, and incapable of intelligent thought, I would say that his inconsistency is a direct result of his materialist atheism.
While we're on the topic of DNA, for all his self-satisfied stance of philosophical and scientific wisdom and holier-than-thou insulting of anyone who questions evolution as scientific fact, he fails to understand both the facts he claims to know and the arguments of those he insults. He cites "selective breeding of dogs (where do you think all these breeds came from?)" (p. 117) as evidence of evolution, when in fact this is not naturally selected mutation of genetic material resulting in species change (i. e., evolution) at all, but just cosmetic changes within species based on selected characteristics. And nearly all creationists agree that evolution (i. e., naturally selected mutation of genetic material resulting in species change) is an operational scientific change mechanism; what they dispute is that evolution by itself is not sufficient to account for the origins of life, including the chemical, biological, genetic, and data complexity of DNA.
To be fair, Bowen does later (p. 149-151) consider serious philosophical arguments about the beginning and value of life and the human cost and mortality of abortion, and he isn't always so smugly condescending in his analysis of bumper-sticker statements. Besides the obvious humor in treating bumper sticker material as serious philosophical statements, he is sometimes able to introduce great philosophers and their ideas to a presumably novice audience (Bowen has a masters in philosophy and teaches the subject). However, he never presents a consistent overview of philosophical approaches to any subject, except that he is consistently and very smugly anti-Christian and consistently references eastern religions in approving tones . I find it more than ironic, in fact historically ignorant and inaccurate, when he mocks Christians for believing that the sun revolved around the earth at a time when nearly every observer from every culture and religion believed the same thing, and it was only Christianity which provided the philosophical worldview that supported the scientific method that enabled Galileo, a Christian, to discover that the earth revolved around the sun.
Bowen begins with a discussion of the philosophical and linguistic meaning of labels to identify things and ideas, an appropriate starting point since statements that are short enough to fit on the physical size of a bumper sticker and simple enough to be grasped in a few seconds by readers driving or passing by must rely on labels that are commonly known and understood. He also points out the flaws of labels and the logic with which we apply them. Then he promptly proceeds to apply labels to attack Christianity. The biggest flaw in this approach, and the reason I rated it a 1-star "Waste of paper", is the risk that the novice audience toward which it appears to be directed would not have the understanding of logic and philosophy and the knowledge of history to recognize the slanted view of philosophy that Bowen is presenting.
July 27, 2020
I won't say that I like this kind of all over the place philosophy, but it does have something good going. Sometimes the book has good humor as intended. For me, it is very sporadic with no clear message from the author - he distances his own opinion from the material when he defends something and is quick to criticize an opinion when he is against it. Jack Bowen's atheist view shines through in his criticism of Christianity, but he also reveals his weak spots as a philosopher although he is friendly toward some views of theologians. A fun read, nice idea to investigate the deeper meaning of bumper sticker messages, but very sporadic and jumpy in the content - that is not that good either. Weak 3 star.
June 3, 2021
Absolutely perfect. Bite size little nuggets of philosophy beautifully explained and related to contemporary media made this an easy and speedy read, and I'm a slow reader. I couldn't have been happier with that, easily digestible and infinitely relatable I thoroughly enjoyed this. Also gave me a differing perspective on a topic I'd thought I already was well versed in. Most highly recommended to anyone with an interest in philosophy or anyone just curious to see the world differently. 10/10 if not more.
July 14, 2019
As a I'm sure he got high marks. He was quite humorous as well. So it was a serious flaw to have a book about bumper stickers with no bumper stickers in. I would have enjoyed his critique on some of the fabulous ones out there
March 24, 2011
Long before blogs and tweets, people were telling the world how they felt through bumper stickers. Even now, whether they're political or religious, passionate or proud, controversial or corny, these brightly colored, boldly lettered mini manifestos are declarations of who we are, where we stand, and what we'd reather be doing. But as bestselling author and noted philosopher Jack Bowen reveals, there's much more to the pop-culture phenomenon than rolling one-liners - no less, in fact, than a wise, funny, poignant, contentious, and truthful discourse on the human condition. Mixing pop culture with the ideas of historically prominent philosophers and scientists, If You Can Read This exposes the deeper wisdom couched behind these slogans - or, as need be, exposes where they have gone wrong. If you brake for big ideas, now's the time.
This was not exactly the book I thought it was when I put it on my "to-be-read" list so long ago. I thought it was going to be more of a historical look at the bumper sticker itself; how they came about, have evolved, why people love them, etc. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I was going to get a lesson in philosophical theory instead!
But it works, it really does. I thought it was very clever of Bowen to use something we all know (and mostly love), something as simple as a bumper sticker, to delve into some pretty tough topics. This small work covers just about everything: "reality", "the self", "values", "morality", even "the big questions". Each chapter has one of these general titles, then we get the bumper stickers.
For example, under the chapter "God and Religion", there are bumper sticker slogans ranging from "God Said It. I Believe It. That Settles It." to "God, Please Save Me, From Your Followers!". No sticker is safe, and Bowen discusses the philosophy behind them all. And brings up some valid points that I hadn't really thought about, either. Such as when he discusses the sticker "When You Pray Get Off Your Knees". I'm pretty sure I've seen this one somewhere before but have never really given it much thought. Bowen talks about the driver's selection of this sticker, that this person most likely believes that you need to do something to change things other than pray. Or that you can pray, but still need to get off your butt and do something to help yourself as well. Bowen uses a quote from Frederick Douglass to illustrate this point: "I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs." Perhaps the driver would have the companion sticker on the other side of the bumper (just my thinking here....), "God helps those who help themselves."
It's a very interesting look at such a small, common thing, one that really makes the reader think about the "slogan" being advertised. Some stickers have a good, solid philosophical theory behind them; others are completely destroyed by Bowen, who points out a lot of faulty logic. A fun read, and one that will teach you something while entertaining you at the same time.
This was not exactly the book I thought it was when I put it on my "to-be-read" list so long ago. I thought it was going to be more of a historical look at the bumper sticker itself; how they came about, have evolved, why people love them, etc. Imagine my surprise when I realized that I was going to get a lesson in philosophical theory instead!
But it works, it really does. I thought it was very clever of Bowen to use something we all know (and mostly love), something as simple as a bumper sticker, to delve into some pretty tough topics. This small work covers just about everything: "reality", "the self", "values", "morality", even "the big questions". Each chapter has one of these general titles, then we get the bumper stickers.
For example, under the chapter "God and Religion", there are bumper sticker slogans ranging from "God Said It. I Believe It. That Settles It." to "God, Please Save Me, From Your Followers!". No sticker is safe, and Bowen discusses the philosophy behind them all. And brings up some valid points that I hadn't really thought about, either. Such as when he discusses the sticker "When You Pray Get Off Your Knees". I'm pretty sure I've seen this one somewhere before but have never really given it much thought. Bowen talks about the driver's selection of this sticker, that this person most likely believes that you need to do something to change things other than pray. Or that you can pray, but still need to get off your butt and do something to help yourself as well. Bowen uses a quote from Frederick Douglass to illustrate this point: "I prayed for freedom for twenty years, but received no answer until I prayed with my legs." Perhaps the driver would have the companion sticker on the other side of the bumper (just my thinking here....), "God helps those who help themselves."
It's a very interesting look at such a small, common thing, one that really makes the reader think about the "slogan" being advertised. Some stickers have a good, solid philosophical theory behind them; others are completely destroyed by Bowen, who points out a lot of faulty logic. A fun read, and one that will teach you something while entertaining you at the same time.
July 4, 2010
I'm not sure how to really review this book. I will say that when I bought it, I was under the impression that it was going to be a humorous discussion about bumper stickers and why people choose to display certain ones on their cars and other places.
However, while it did discuss bumper stickers, it went less into the whys behind them and more into the true meaning behind the trite sayings printed on them (and how people don't really think about these deeper meanings before plastering them on their bumper). And while parts of the book were quite interesting, parts of it truly dragged and it took me much longer than it should have to get through simply because philosophical discussion generally doesn't interest me.
I can't say this book was disappointing since the fault lies with me for thinking it was something it wasn't. I will only say that if I had taken a closer look at it before I bought it, I never would have bought it at all.
However, while it did discuss bumper stickers, it went less into the whys behind them and more into the true meaning behind the trite sayings printed on them (and how people don't really think about these deeper meanings before plastering them on their bumper). And while parts of the book were quite interesting, parts of it truly dragged and it took me much longer than it should have to get through simply because philosophical discussion generally doesn't interest me.
I can't say this book was disappointing since the fault lies with me for thinking it was something it wasn't. I will only say that if I had taken a closer look at it before I bought it, I never would have bought it at all.
June 4, 2011
While on my way to my favorite brick and mortar book store, I heard Jack Bowen's interview - on NPR last week - about his book, "If You Can Read This".
Bowen's commentary plays well with the subject matter of various bumper stickers and how thought provoking they can be. His delivery of background information, the logic behind the one-liner witticisms and how packed they are yield insight as to how their wording often jolts the reader stop and think. His methodical analysis offers a fascinating insight about what makes an interesting, compelling and effective message.
Bowen's relaxed delivery works well with the subject matter because so much of bumper-sticker logic can be emotionally loaded. I do wish however, that he would have written more than a few lines on the topic of gun control. It almost seemed as though he consciously chose to avoid any commentary on the topic altogether.
Bowen's commentary plays well with the subject matter of various bumper stickers and how thought provoking they can be. His delivery of background information, the logic behind the one-liner witticisms and how packed they are yield insight as to how their wording often jolts the reader stop and think. His methodical analysis offers a fascinating insight about what makes an interesting, compelling and effective message.
Bowen's relaxed delivery works well with the subject matter because so much of bumper-sticker logic can be emotionally loaded. I do wish however, that he would have written more than a few lines on the topic of gun control. It almost seemed as though he consciously chose to avoid any commentary on the topic altogether.
June 17, 2010
this was fairly entertaining and humorous. the author is a philosophy professor who tries to wax philosophic over the deeper meanings, internal inconsistencies, and conflicting ideologies behind numerous popular bumper-stickers. a number of the arguments he tries to advance are some that i don't agree w/ and parts remind me why i hated my philosophy classes, but it was a fairly decent read and not too bad for helping you to think about some of your own closely held beliefs and try to develop a feel for why you hold them.
January 10, 2013
Reading this made me feel intelligent, even though I don't remember much of it now. A good and funny intro to philosophy. (Also perfect for reading before bed, because it's interesting but full of enough technical terms to make you tired.) It's almost worth reading just because the author addresses The Purpose of Life, which I will not give away here.
January 3, 2012
A fascinating exploration of some of the most poignant themes of our era! Through the use of bumper-stickers Bowen is able to start a conversation of some of the most touchy and interesting concepts in modern times, from abortion to the purpose of life in a secular world. I would strongly recommend it to anyone who is willing to have their views challenged, whether as a liberal or conservative.
August 24, 2011
A thinking book. Consider all the messages we see on the roads and in parking lots: what's the real message? I imagine ultra social conservatives will not like it one bit.
June 23, 2010
Entertaining, though I've never seen half the bumper stickers he mentions
July 20, 2010
As superficial as the bumper stickers reviewed.
October 4, 2010
Brilliant taste of philosophy using bumper stickers. Philosophical and wit combined. Much recommended.
May 24, 2011
While definitely not hard-hitting philosophical discussion, interesting nonetheless.
July 5, 2011
This is a good way to explore the concepts of philosophy. I recommend this book and may use some of it in class.
Currently reading
September 25, 2012I picked this up at Readings clearance yesterday, as much-needed light relief from alla the self-help texts piled around unread and part-read. So far so good.
March 27, 2013
Philosophy 101. I enjoyed it. I always like a book that makes me think.
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews