Book

While innovation and intellectual achievement continue to transform societies, the concomitant increase in personal prosperity has nurtured a superficial mindset where value equates to what is immediately appealing, mediocrity passes for excellence, and spin displaces serious debate. Presentation and triviality increasingly dominate private lives and public thought and an obsession with ‘feel good’, ‘lifestyle’, celebrity and status determine concerns and priorities at the most shallow levels of popular culture.

Sentimentality and an aggressive individualism now characterise many social environments while a preference for rights over responsibilities threatens good order. Misconceived interpretations of equality, tolerance and inclusivity undermine social stability and lead to an oversensitivity to the claims and sensibilities of individuals at the expense of wider society. Social cohesion is assailed Yet, despite unprecedented prosperity and virtually limitless freedom, discontent is rife, with widespread disaffection and social isolation. Too often, social direction is driven by influential elites motivated by the desire for power and status, sustaining an intellectual climate which offers no effective challenge to over-valued mediocrity, political correctness, incompetence, misplaced sentimentality or perverse notions of liberty. Superficiality is very evident and entrains heavy political and social costs.

Sense and Semblance presents a powerful indictment of superficiality. It confronts the core issues and reinforces the need to challenge this cosmetic culture in both public and private life.