| Title | : | The Great Wave: The Era of Radical Disruption and the Rise of the Outsider |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | 0525575014 |
| ISBN-10 | : | 9780525575016 |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 245 |
| Publication | : | First published February 20, 2024 |
The twenty-first century is experiencing a watershed moment defined by chaos and uncertainty, as one emergency cascades into another, underscoring the larger dynamics of change that are fueling instability across the world.
Since the global financial crisis of 2008, people have increasingly lost trust in institutions and elites, while seizing upon new digital tools to sidestep traditional gatekeepers. As a result, powerful new voices—once regarded as radical, unorthodox, or marginal—are disrupting the status quo in politics, business, and culture. Meanwhile, social and economic inequalities are stoking populist rage across the world, toxic partisanship is undermining democratic ideals, and the internet and AI have become high-speed vectors for the spread of misinformation.
Writing with a critic’s understanding of cultural trends and a journalist’s eye for historical detail, Michiko Kakutani looks at the consequences of these new asymmetries of power. She maps the migration of ideas from the margins to the mainstream and explores the growing influence of outsiders—those who have sown chaos and fear (like Donald Trump), and those who have provided inspirational leadership (like Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky). At the same time, she situates today’s multiplying crises in context with those that defined earlier hinge moments in history, from the waning of the Middle Ages to the transition between the Gilded Age and the Progressive Era at the end of the nineteenth century.
Kakutani argues that today’s crises are not only signs of an interconnected globe’s profound vulnerabilities, but also stress tests pointing to the essential changes needed to survive this tumultuous era and build a more sustainable future.
The Great Wave: The Era of Radical Disruption and the Rise of the Outsider Reviews
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I get where this book comes from - an attempt to understand why the world is getting so messed up lately. But there's nothing new here. It's a recital of random facts and anecdotes loosely connected in the form of a common narrative. The narrative thinks of itself as a "why", but honestly it's just a more detailed version of the "what" or "how".
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وإذن فقد اختارت كاكوتاني الرمز الأمثل للحياة في عام 2024، وهي تكتب في المقدمة أن الموجة الهائلة ’صورة تجسد مشاعر الخوف والرجاء التي تصاحب التغيرات السريعة التي لا يمكن التنبؤ بها’. وترينا كاكوتاني ببراعة في كتابها أن التغير الهائل يأتي بتحولات ثقافية هائلة. والأمثلة التي تضربها لها صداها، فالكتاب تذكرة ثقيلة بأن من التغيرات (بادية) السلبية ما لا يبقى سلبياً إلى الأبد، بل إنها كثيراً ما تكون شديدة الأهمية وضرورية لإحداث أي شكل من التطور". وتقول كاكوتاني إن كثيراً للغاية من أزمات العالم قد يعد "تحذيرات جادة" أو "اختبارات ضغط". وتكتب أن "الخطر والأزمة قد يصدمان الناس ويخرجانهم من الرضا عن الذات". وتعلق روزنتال قائلة إننا "حينما نفكر في توابع صدمات كوفيد وانتخابات الرئاسة الأميركية لعام 2016 وحركة "حياة السود مهمة" في عام 2020، نجد أن تقديرها دقيق".
"وعلى مدار الكتاب تواصل كاكوتاني هذا النهج: تخبرنا بتغيير أو حركة كبرى في التاريخ، مما يتسم في الغالب بالضخامة والراديكالية، لترينا كيف نتحرك انطلاقاً منه. ورغم سعادتي بالمراجعة التي تقدمها لهذا التاريخ واهتمامي بتحليلاتها، فكثيراً ما وجدت نفسي أتساءل عن الغرض الحقيقي من الكتاب. لأن أقساماً منه تجعلني أتصور أن هدف كاكوتاني الحقيقي هو ثني الناس عن انتخاب ترمب في 2024، فكأنها من خلال مراجعتها للتاريخ وأمثلته تقول ’إننا ارتكبنا هذه الأخطاء وتعلمنا منها ولا ينبغي أن نرتكبها مجدداً’".
وتدلل روزنتال على ذلك بأن كاكوتاني تنتهز فرصة حديثها عن "دعم الصحافة المستقلة بوصفها أساساً للديمقراطية الناجحة لتؤكد أن ’الشعب لا بد أن يدرك مخاطر فوز ترمب وإعادة انتخابه في 2024’، أو لتناقش وعوداً انتخابية معينة قطعها ومن شأنها أن تجعل ولاية ثانية له ’أشد استبدادية من الأولى’". وتوشك روزنتال أن تنفي أي قيمة لذلك الجهد لأن "طبيعة القارئ الذي قد يقرأ لكاكوتاني هي بصفة عامة طبيعة الناخب الذي يؤثر بايدن أو أي ديمقراطي آخر، فهو يقرأ هذا الكتاب ليؤكد قناعات راسخة عنده أصلاً. ورغم أن كتاب ’الموجة الهائلة’ يشتبك مع مواضيع ثقيلة ورغم أهميته الثقافية التي لا جدال فيها، لا أعتقد أنه سيصل إلى الجمهور الذي يحتاج إليه أشد الاحتياج".
إلا أن "الموجة الهائلة" لم تغفر لكاوكاتاني ماضيها وخبرتها المهنية التي يبدو أنها التصقت بها فلم يعد يمكن تجاوزها عند قراءة كتاب لها. وكأن لعنة التصنيف التي تجعلنا في العالم العربي لا نقبل رواية من شاعر أو نقداً من روائي أو رأياً في الدين من أقل من نبي، هي لعنة عالمية تحول فعلاً دون قراءة منصفة لكتاب مثل "الموجة الهائلة" ولكتب أخرى كثيرة يكتبها غير "أهل الاختصاص"، مهما يكن الاختصاص.
وها هو دان كُويْس يتساءل "لماذا ترغب ناقدة كتب مرهوبة الجانب في التحول إلى تأليف الكتب، وتأليف هذه النوعية من الكتب بالذات؟ لماذا ترغب ميتشيكو كاكوتاني في أن تصبح ديفيد بروكس أو يوفال نوح هراري؟". ثم يقول في نهاية مقاله إن "كاكوتاني، خبيرة مراجعات الكتب، راجعت السنوات الـ10 الماضية، فقرأت كل ما يمكن قراءته على الإنترنت، ودونت ملاحظات مسهبة، وهي الآن تقدم لنا هذه الملاحظات". وعلى طريقة كاكوتاني التي لم تكن تتحرج من تقييم الكتب يتساءل دان كُويْس: "هل ما تقدمه جيد؟ لا، إنما هو سيئ".
قد يكون ما تفعله كاكوتاني محض "مراجعة" ضحلة، وقد يكون أخف مما ينبغي، قد يكون التفاؤل أو الرغبة في بث التفاؤل، سبباً في زيغ بعض تحليلاتها، وقد يكون الفزع من ولاية جديدة لدونالد ترمب قد غلبها في مواضع من الكتاب، ولكن تشخيص كاكوتاني دقيق للأزمة التي تعتري العالم الآن، وإحساسها مبرر بأن عشرينيات القرن الحالي لحظة مفصلية لن يكون العالم بعدها مثلما عهدناه قبلها، ودعوتها إلى الخروج بخير من هذه الفوضى العارمة لا ينبغي أن تقابل بالرفض. -
Surprisingly delightful
I’m not sure where I got this recommendation but this book offers a coherent and enjoyable view of how change occurs in societies and the good that can come from disruption. -
I don't get what the author wants to convey. Maybe this book is just not for me. It seems that the author is simply happy to throw in any global, pop culture, and viral references that might shape the current context.
Bought this book based on Kinokuniya March 2024 reference. I had high expectations at first regarding how the author would describe these 'great waves' in shaping our future. But after reading it, it might be more suitable for Western readers.
One thing that struck me the most is that the author only bothers to mention the Palestine situation in just one paragraph, and tries so 'carefully' to remain neutral. Hey, this book is published in 2024, and don't you think that the Palestine situation deserves better place as one of the great waves for the current global context? At least, it is for me, but not for the author. So, one star. -
Meh...
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EN: “The Great Wave” by Michiko Kakutani left me a bit disappointed. While the audiobook addresses important issues like misinformation and cultural changes, it felt more like a collection of commonly known facts rather than offering new insights. I agree with the author’s views, but the way the ideas were presented didn’t keep me engaged. If you’re familiar with these topics, you might not find much new here.
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In "The Great Wave: The Era of Radical Disruption and the Rise of the Outsider," Michiko Kakutani delivers an incisive and profound exploration of the seismic shifts reshaping the contemporary world. Known for her sharp analytical prowess, the Pulitzer Prize-winning critic examines the erosion of old certainties and the rise of outsiders challenging the established order.
Kakutani’s work is both a timely diagnosis and a historical reflection. She deftly navigates through the complexities of our current epoch, marked by political upheaval, cultural transformations, and technological advancements. The book captures the essence of an era where traditional institutions and elites are losing their grip, making way for a diverse array of radical voices. Whether they are populists, protesters, or hackers, these outsiders are wielding newfound power to disrupt the status quo. Figures such as Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky are emblematic of this wave – one representing chaotic disruption, the other inspirational leadership.
What sets "The Great Wave" apart is Kakutani's ability to contextualize the present by drawing parallels with historical hinge moments. From the decline of the Middle Ages to the post-World War II reconstruction, she highlights how periods of great turmoil have always harbored the potential for profound transformation. This historical lens not only enriches the narrative but also provides a sense of hope and direction.
Kakutani argues that in the face of such radical changes, society stands at a crossroads. We can either succumb to the chaos or harness the disruptive energy to forge a more stable and sustainable future. This duality is explored with a sense of urgency and optimism, making the book a call to action as much as it is a critique.
In sum, Kakutani’s latest offering is a masterful blend of cultural criticism, historical analysis, and forward-thinking perspective. It is a profound reminder that in the face of disruption, there is always an opportunity for renewal and transformation. -
I read an advanced readers copy of this book, so remarks made may not 100% accurately depict the final release.
This is a great book if you want to learn about many different subjects and historical events without getting too deep into them. I really enjoyed reading this book, especially the last half of it when Kakutani began to discuss how technology disrupted the world and social status quo. Although preachy at times, I feel like this book is a spring board to dive into a range of new information and topics. I'll be picking up a copy eventually just for the slew of topics and referenced materials to draw upon in the future.
I recommend this book to everyone who is interested in revisiting the disruptive events of the past three decades, and those who collect perspectives like foreign coins. -
‘In a 1996 letter to a friend, [Seamus] Heaney wrote of individuals feeling pressures from a "group's demands for loyalty" and the selfish pride that is "rampant at the moment." Change and conciliation, he concluded, require that people not only stop choosing "the intoxication of defiance" but also find their way toward "the civic, sober path of adjustment." Then maybe—maybe—they could exchange "the haughtiness of the hurt spirit for the humdrum and caritas of renewal."’
An excellent book about almost all the major crises that threaten our world today. But curiously, no mention of the genocide in Gaza. From literary criticism to political commentary, the book offers a kaleidoscopic portrait of the chaotic contemporary times. Moderately essential to read—as a primer on these issues. -
This is a nice time capsule to provide a broad overview of the insanity of the Trump to COVID era. The research and references are extensive, and yet this book is easy to consume. I wouldn't recommend this book for depth learning purposes, but it does bring to light a lot of issues that most (news-savvy and liberal space peoples) may already be aware of. I'd imagine this book is pretty difficult to write and organize, considering how so many issues (from AGI to protest countercultures to disinformation) are so inextricably tied to one another. But I didn't mind that much as it's enjoyable to go through all these examples again to read history in this way.
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It is ironic that in this book about how everything is new and changing, there was nothing new. I mostly agreed with it, but I had read it all before. There were no new insights, no interesting interpretations of where the confusing and sometimes threatening and seemingly directionless trends of contemporary society are taking us, and no program for how to flourish in the face of constant change and uncertainty. It was just more of the same old stuff to further stir us up and create discomfort and cognitive dissonance. I can get this from Facebook and CNN without reading books.
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This book is an interesting take on where the world is at this moment in time. We've moved past VUCA into a world that's destabilised on so many fronts its hard to keep up with them all, and even you could, hard to know what to 'do' rather than be a passive bystander.
I enjoyed the read although at times its almost as if the author is showing off how much she has read. I was looking for a bit more exploration of the outsider theme and some of the chapters don't really fit.
Worth the effort but wouldn't rush out to buy it. -
Please note: I read and advanced reader's copy and not the final version.
It was interesting and I enjoyed the touch points of various historical events and people. However, I sometimes found myself becoming distracted by wanting more information and more connection to the subject.
There were also some moments that felt like fear mongering but I get that some folks might need that vibe to get the picture. -
Some really interesting points about the slew of political, social and cultural disruptions we are facing today. Unfortunately, the review in the Wall Street Journal acknowledging the unfortunate prevalence of “partisan platitudes” was spot on. The great points made by the author are minimized by the partisan and ideological blindspots. Recommended reading to find a good starting point for discussing disruptions, but take the politics with a grain of salt.
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I wanted to like this, but it's ultimately far more descriptive of current trends than offering any unique or valuable framing of these well known trends. Strangely for a book reviewer the amount of books mentioned varies widely. The chapters with lots of references offer some great quotes and reading suggestions, but many others are strangely absent.
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Inarguably, we are in an age of turmoil, but Kakutani's fast-paced book offers only limited analysis or answers.
Full review is at the
Minneapolis Star-Tribune. -
I seem to be reading on a theme of late. This was an interesting book to follow-up “Filterworld” with, touching on a couple of shared themes, but taking it in additional directions. I would have liked this to delve deeper into its themes, but it was still an interesting read.
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Notables 2024 #15
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Like one of Kakutani's fans said, "If you want to know where we're headed, look elsewhere. If you want to know how we got here, The Great Wave is indispensable."
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If you really want to know how something works, look at it when it is coming apart. William Gibson
This author certainly has an ax to grind, but will probably have more to complain about in 2025. -
2.5, Kakutani seems to have lost some of her panache to rage.
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lots of evidence given but no main points????
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Review to come
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A good book for democrats who want someone to tell them they are correct about everything, without bringing anything but narrative control to the table. Contains some interesting cultural analysis.
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I missed the main theme of the book. Each chapter was interesting, but I never quite saw how they tied together into a whole -- at least it wasn't clear to me. It was something along the lines about history being a series of waves with peaks and troughs, I think. But I didn't get if it was meant to suggest we will pull out of our current trough -- she certainly didn't give me any empirical evidence to believe that. And she didn't provide any .suggestions of what we need to do to help the process.
