Them audiobook cover - Why We Hate Each Other – and How to Heal

Them

Why We Hate Each Other – and How to Heal

Ben Sasse

★ 4.4 / 5(50 ratings)
Start ListeningDownloadQR code that opens AudiobookHub on the App StoreTry free on iPhoneScan to start in 5 seconds
Categories:
Society & Culture

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

Listen to Them — Free Audiobook

Loading player...

Key Takeaways from Them

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Them

Mind Map

Them
The Epidemic of Loneliness+
Collapse of Community Work+
Broken Media Landscape+
Campus Intolerance+
Rebuilding the American Team+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 7
Why are men considered particularly at risk for loneliness compared to women, according to the text?
  • A. They are biologically more susceptible to the stress hormones caused by social rejection.
  • B. They tend to stop making new friends once they marry or focus on climbing the career ladder.
  • C. They are more likely to work in freelance or project-based jobs that lack social interaction.
  • D. They consume more anger-driven news media, which isolates them from their communities.
Question 2 of 7
What major technological advancement does the author warn could devastate American communities in a way similar to the collapse of the Appalachian coal sector?
  • A. Artificial intelligence replacing administrative workers.
  • B. The shift toward remote work and project-based freelancing.
  • C. Self-driving cars eliminating millions of driving-related jobs.
  • D. Social media algorithms replacing traditional journalism jobs.
Question 3 of 7
How does the author characterize the shift in news consumption brought about by television and Twitter?
  • A. It has increased civic engagement by making news more accessible to the average citizen.
  • B. It has replaced in-depth journalism with 'polititainment,' leading to shallower understanding.
  • C. It has forced politicians to be more transparent about their policy decisions.
  • D. It has eliminated the 24-hour news cycle in favor of bite-sized, scheduled updates.
Question 4 of 7
What is the media tactic referred to as 'nutpicking'?
  • A. Highlighting the most complex arguments of the opposing side to confuse viewers.
  • B. Selecting a random, extreme comment from social media to falsely represent an entire group.
  • C. Repeatedly interrupting political opponents during live television debates.
  • D. Creating fabricated news stories to generate outrage and boost ratings.
Question 5 of 7
According to sociological research mentioned in the text, why do viewers continue to tune into anger-driven news programs despite knowing they are unproductive?
  • A. Having a clear enemy provides a psychological benefit by making the world feel less disordered.
  • B. Anger releases dopamine, creating a physical addiction to outrage-inducing media.
  • C. Viewers feel a civic responsibility to understand the arguments of political extremists.
  • D. These programs offer the most accurate predictions regarding economic and job trends.
Question 6 of 7
Why does the author argue that the creation of 'safe spaces' on university campuses is deeply un-American?
  • A. They require significant financial resources that would be better spent on academic programs.
  • B. They allow students to segregate themselves and avoid engaging with differing viewpoints.
  • C. They encourage students to organize politically against the university administration.
  • D. They are often used by extreme political groups to recruit new members in secret.
Question 7 of 7
What is one of the key steps the author suggests Americans take to help the country 'play as a national team again'?
  • A. Boycott all social media platforms that restrict character limits.
  • B. Hold political candidates from their own side to the same standards as their opponents.
  • C. Vote only for politicians who promise to bring back lifetime employment at single companies.
  • D. Ignore local news in favor of focusing entirely on national political issues.

Them — Full Chapter Overview

Them Summary & Overview

Them (2018) explores the social, political and economic challenges facing the United States of America. Drawing on insights from psychology, politics and contemporary media, the blinks investigate the current climate of hostility in public life and explains how Americans can get back to a more harmonious way of life.

Who Should Listen to Them?

  • Political animals looking for a fresh perspective
  • Democrats open to listening to the other side
  • Current-affairs junkies wanting new insights

About the Author: Ben Sasse

Ben Sasse is a United States senator and a member of the Republican party. He holds a Ph.D. in American history from Yale University.

🎧
Listen in the AppOffline playback & background play
Get App