Reviews for But What If We're Wrong?

by Chuck Klosterman

Publishers Weekly
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Klosterman (I Wear the Black Hat) conducts a series of intriguing thought experiments in this delightful new book about how we conceive of the future. He begins with a conundrum virtually all writers contemplate at some point: why do some writers achieve literary immortality while others are totally forgotten? From there, he works through similar questions with respect to rock music and then shifts to wondering which of our established scientific principles might be replaced in the centuries to come. This is pop philosophy, but Klosterman takes it seriously enough to bring in heavyweight experts such as Neil deGrasse Tyson and George Saunders. Klosterman also considers the long-term viability of the NFL and team sports in general. He asks, supposing that the ancient Egyptians had TV, which of their TV shows would interest us most-the Egyptian Breaking Bad? He argues that we'd want the most realistic portrait of society possible, and that level of realism is only achieved unintentionally. As usual, Klosterman's trademark humor and unique curiosity propel the reader through the book. He remains one of the most insightful critics of pop culture writing today and this is his most thought-provoking and memorable book yet. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.


Book list
From Booklist, Copyright © American Library Association. Used with permission.

*Starred Review* Klosterman (I Wear the Black Hat, 2013) is a skeptic of the highest order, and, as he himself admits, he is also often wrong, Not about everything. Just about most things. In this compellingly readable volume he insists it is not a collection of essays, even though he admits it might look like and even feel like one Klosterman wonders about many things, from democracy to science and other topics. But this doesn't quite do it justice, since Klosterman's wonderfully inventive mind is all over the place: Moby-Dick, gravity, books, language, Jane Austen, Beowulf, rock and roll, the last scene from The Sopranos, Johnny B. Goode, conspiracy theories, the whole idea of merit, television as an art form, Malcolm Gladwell and the future of football and red meat (it makes sense in context), the movie Whiplash, and much more. He often thinks aloud by writing aloud, confused by his own contradictions (I told people I loved my job at the newspaper, but if that was true, why did I hate going to work? I guess that's why they call it work.) His comments about pop culture are spot-on (Roseanne was an attempt to show how white families weren't necessarily rich and functional), as is most everything else here. Jump in anywhere; it's all fabulous.--Sawyers, June Copyright 2016 Booklist


Library Journal
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Klosterman delivers another introspective think piece, this time reflecting on the present from the point of view of centuries into the future. As human society has advanced, many commonly held concepts have changed immensely; for example, the belief of a geocentric universe started in ancient Greece, but the Copernican Revolution in the 16th century discredited that theory. Klosterman asks which of our current, most resolute beliefs will change in the same manner. What elements of our current culture will be remembered, which will be forgotten, and which will be transformed? Moving quickly from one topic to the next, Klosterman investigates a wide range of themes from gravity to color to popular culture in his usual witty manner. He draws from interviews from a host of authorities such as Neil deGrasse Tyson, Junot Diaz, and Ryan Adams to present a very engaging and accessible piece. Fiona Hardingham adds a sophisticated element with her pleasant narration and British accent. VERDICT While thought provoking, this book's often lengthy conjecture might turn off some readers. Still, Klosterman's work will be very popular. ["An engaging and entertaining workout for the mind led by one of today's funniest and most thought-provoking writers": LJ 4/15/16 starred review of the Blue Rider hc.]-Cathleen Keyser, NoveList, Durham, NC © Copyright 2016. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.


Publishers Weekly
(c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

Veteran voice actor Hardingham certainly brings impressive credentials to any narration project. At first glance, the British woman may not seem an obvious choice to tackle the latest title from noted cultural critic and essayist Klosterman, a man who originally hails from deep in the American Heartland, but Hardingham manages to pull off her duties with an effective tone that balances the sometimes whimsical quality of Klosterman's musings with the serious nature of the larger questions he raises. Klosterman draws on personal anecdotes to make his case, including several references to the generational transition between an analog world and the digital media revolution. Hardingham's professional and poised approach to narration keeps the displays of personal catharsis in check to keep listeners' attention on the bigger picture. Her earnest vocal style seems akin to what listeners would expect in a highbrow broadcast setting such as public radio. A Blue Rider hardcover. (June) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.


Kirkus
Copyright © Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

An inquiry into why we'll probably be wrong about almost everything.The ever smart, witty, and curious Klosterman (I Wear the Black Hat: Grappling with Villains (Real and Imagined), 2013, etc.) takes on the notion that it's "impossible to understand the world of today until today has become tomorrow." One might call that a "klosterism," and the book is full of them. It's also full of intelligence and insights, as the author gleefully turns ideas upside down to better understand them. Klosterman is currently obsessed with ideas that are so accepted we dare not dispute theme.g., gravity. Once upon a time, Aristotle believed things didn't float away because they were in their "natural place." Then Newton came along 2,000 years later and changed the way we think. Then Einstein said gravity was really a warping of time and space. Now, scientists are trying to "rethink gravity itself." Therefore, the author posits, in the future, whenever that may be, we'll know we were wrong about whatever we thought "gravity" was back then. In each chapter, Klosterman takes on a different topic, applying "Klosterman's Razor" to it: "the philosophical belief that the best hypothesis is the one that reflexively accepts its potential wrongness to begin with." He seeks out a variety of experts to assist him. George Saunders and Franz Kafka help him sort out why future literary greats are "at the momenteither totally unknown or widely disrespected." Physicists Neil deGrasse Tyson and Brian Greene help him explore the concept of a multiverse universe. Others assist Klosterman in taking on the future of rock 'n' roll ("there are still things about the Beatles that can't be explained"), time, dreams, democracy, TV shows (Roseanne is an overlooked work of "genius"), and sports. Klosterman is fond of lists and predictions. Here's one: this book will become a popular book club selection because it makes readers think. Replete with lots of nifty, whimsical footnotes, this clever, speculative book challenges our beliefs with jocularity and perspicacity. Copyright Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.