Infantilised cover art

Infantilised

How Our Culture Killed Adulthood

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Infantilised

By: Keith J. Hayward
Narrated by: John Sackville
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About this listen

 A SHREWD AND TIMELY EXPLORATION OF A CULTURAL LANDSCAPE PREDICATED ON THE PRIMACY OF YOUTH

Have you ever noticed that in areas of everyday life, rather than being addressed like a mature adult, you're increasingly treated like an irresponsible child in constant need of instruction and protection?

Noticing society's creeping descent into infantilisation is one thing, however understanding the roots and causes of the phenomenon is not quite so easy. But in this topical and vitally important new work, cultural theorist and academic, Dr Keith Hayward, exposes the deep social, psychological and political dangers of a world characterised by denuded adult autonomy.

But importantly Infantilised is no one-dimensional, unsympathetic critique. Brimming with anecdotes and examples that span everything from the normalisation of infantilism on reality TV to the rise of a new class of political 'infantocrat', this comprehensive book also offers an insightful and at times humorous account of infantilism's seductive appeal, and details some suggestions for avoiding some of the pitfalls associated with our increasingly infantilised world.©2024 K.J. Hayward (P)2024 Hachette Audio UK Anthropology Sociology Witty Socialism Capitalism Liberalism

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Critic reviews

Keith Hayward's brilliant and timely enquiry into the Peter Pan-ish realms of deferred adulthood is simultaneously alarming, entertaining, fascinating and significant. Whatever names or letters of the alphabet they are assigned, recent generations seem more and more to embrace without embarrassment props, preferences and points of view that seem closer to the world of play than the world of work. Hayward's descriptions and analysis of this phenomenon are non-judgemental and shiningly insightful. Hugely recommended (Stephen Fry)
All stars
Most relevant
Some interesting and important ideas for discussion here. But the author appears overly biased against the left (regardless of whether the criticism is justified). Where is the chapter on idiotic right wing flat earthers for instance? Or the dubious post-truth tactics of pro-leave Brexiteers in the UK (thinking Boris Johnson’s double decker bus gimmick sporting an outright lie). And why resort to name calling and use of stupid nicknames (eg Amtrak Joe, which I had to look up as it had nothing to do with the book). If it was more balanced it would be more convincing. Where were the editors?

What about the infantilised right?

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This is a difficult one to love. It's a long grumpy tirade with some hits and many misses. Yet, some of its points are very valid, and the last chapter is consistently spot on.

Man finds hammer, sees nails everywhere

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"Infantilised" promised to explore a pressing issue, but it falls disappointingly flat. Rather than offering a nuanced analysis, the book reads like an unstructured rant from an old, reactionary perspective, stuck in nostalgia for a time that wasn’t as universally ideal as the author suggests.

The author name-drops intellectual figures like Hannah Arendt, Weber and Theodor Adorno without providing any meaningful context or connecting their ideas to his argument. It feels like a shallow attempt to lend credibility rather than a genuine engagement with their work.

Worse still, the book completely ignores critical social dynamics. It fails to acknowledge that society is evolving to provide broader, universal access following centuries of white male dominance. The infantilisation the author derides could be better understood as an adjustment to greater inclusion. Moreover, his critique of democracy shows a fundamental misunderstanding: democracy is grounded in representation, not an idealised meritocracy.

this is not a balanced, thought-provoking discussion I was looking for, bout a missed opportunity, bogged down by its reactionary tone and lack of depth.

Do we need a book to tell us that Trump has a childish behaviour?

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I tired but this is an awful rant without any .insight. could have done with both ab editor and some facts.

fails entirely to spot that missy of the issues are caused by laste stage capitan.

long evidence free bit hy rant

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