| | |  | Mike Bonifer | Home » » The Cultural Creatives: How 50 Million People Are Changing the World | | | | | | | Description: | | ARE YOU A CULTURAL CREATIVE?
Do you dislike all the emphasis in modern culture on success and “making it,” on getting and spending, on wealth and luxury goods?
Do you care deeply about the destruction of the environment and would pay higher taxes or prices to clean it up and to stop global warming?
Are you unhappy with both the left and the right in politics and want to find a new way that does not simply steer a middle course?
In this landmark book, sociologist Paul H. Ray and psychologist Sherry Ruth Anderson draw upon thirteen years of survey research studies on more than 100,000 Americans. They reveal who the Cultural Creatives are and the fascinating story of their emergence over the last generation, using vivid examples and engaging personal stories to describe their distinctive values and lifestyles. The Cultural Creatives offers a more hopeful future and prepares us all for a transition to a new, saner, and wiser culture. | | | Features: | |
• ISBN13: 9780609808450
• Condition: NEW
• Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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| | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Paul H. Ray Ph.D. | | Paperback:
| 384 pages | | Publisher:
| Three Rivers Press | | Publication Date:
| October 02, 2001 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0609808451 | | Package Length:
| 8.9 inches | | Package Width:
| 7.4 inches | | Package Height:
| 1.2 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.65 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 44 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
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Are you a Cultural Creative?May 31, 2009
A very difficult read. In the first half of the book the married Ph.D.'s intermix dry academic statistics with emotional romantic stories, coming off somewhat like a psychological sociologist a textbook. (OK, really not that bad.)
I stuck with the book because I knew nothing about the topic but began to realize that they were writing about people like me.
They divide people into three cultural persuasions: Moderns, Traditionals, and Cultural Creatives.
According to their research Moderns focus on "more more more" thinking that progress and technology are the best and only solutions. Think bank executives and stock brokers. According to their demographic research about 48% of Americans are Moderns. (Book published in 2000).
Traditionals focus on a glorified and selected view of the past. Think fundamentalists and "fair and balanced" talking heads. Years ago about half of the population may have been Traditional, but now they are about 25%.
If you don't really feel comfortable with either of those labels you could be in the new group that has been around for maybe 50 years, Cultural Creatives. Neither the Moderns or Traditionals are going to solve the problems facing the planet. If we are going to have a prosperous future it will likely come from the work of Cultural Creatives.
The stories from the many people interviewed for this book are real inspiration gems. They tell of the trials and extraordinary successes of people who have stepped out of the majority and into a new way of thinking and living. The references to books that Cultural Creatives found inspiring added tremendously to my future reading list.
If you have gotten this far in the review you should read the book.
1 of 2 found the following review helpful:
 Authors Define "Cultural Creative" Too NarrowlySep 21, 2008
"The Cultural Creatives" is a very good book that is marred by its authors' overly narrow definition of the type of person who is a Cultural Creative. They've missed all the people like me who are what Rod Dreher calls "Crunchy Cons".
After reading Dr. Ray's and Dr. Anderson's profiles of the 3 types of people, I fit mostly the profile of a Cultural Creative except I'm more conservative when it comes to religion and certain social issues. I didn't fit the demographics given of Traditionals- I'm not uneducated, blue-collar, rural, nor do I feel "left behind" and "unable to compete" in modern society. On the survey questions, most of my beliefs are closer to that of CC's rather than Traditionals. Also, the discussion of the personal journey CC's typically take from feelings of alienation from modernism to finding wholeness through forging their own paths really resonated with me.
On the other hand, I definitely do not share the authors' whole-hearted enthusiasm for the 1960's. Some of the societal changes brought about were very positive (such as civil rights for African-Americans, the opening up of career & educational opportunities for women, greater concern for the environment, etc.) but others were negative (especially regarding sexual morality). My generation grew up experiencing both the benefits from and the problems caused by the '60's. I think that's why I and a number of other people my age I know actually ended up a bit more conservative than our Baby Boomer parents.
The authors keep talking about how CC's are dissatisfied with both the political left and the political right; however, their narrow definition of CC's very much equates CC's with liberalism. So I'm back to my original question- where do all the "Crunchy Cons" like me fit in?
 placing YOU in the bigger pictureAug 06, 2008
An important book! I found it none to soon after I read A Call for Connection: Solutions for Creating a Whole New Culture Do you believe you have an open mind, that your small part in society can somehow have a ripple effect? Check this book out. Intriguing, intelligent, inspiring... could make you consider what your political, cultural, economical, and social place in society is ... makes me hopeful and positive. I read it right when it came out and now I want to read it again!!
0 of 2 found the following review helpful:
The Best!!Jun 08, 2008
I am very pleased with my order. The book was in excellent condition and was swiftly delivered.
This is an absolutely amazing book.
Thanks!
AwesomeApr 13, 2008
Fantastic presentation of hope for the continuation of life on this planet. It is nice to know that the ones of us Paul Ray calls cultural creatives are not alone or few in number. Read this book to see how our world is changing and what is being done and can be done to sustain the planet and life on it.
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