Psychology

The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense

The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense

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  • Create Date：2021-09-28 06:51:56
  • Update Date：2025-09-06
  • Status：finish
  • Author：Gad Saad
  • ISBN：1684512298
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Summary

"Read this book， strengthen your resolve， and help us all return to reason。"  —JORDAN PETERSON

*USA TODAY NATIONAL BESTSELLER*

There's a war against truth。。。 and if we don't win it， intellectual freedom will be a casualty。

The West’s commitment to freedom， reason， and true liberalism has never been more seriously threatened than it is today by the stifling forces of political correctness。

Dr。 Gad Saad， the host of the enormously popular YouTube show THE SAAD TRUTH， exposes the bad ideas—what he calls “idea pathogens”—that are killing common sense and rational debate。 Incubated in our universities and spread through the tyranny of political correctness， these ideas are endangering our most basic freedoms—including freedom of thought and speech。

The danger is grave， but as Dr。 Saad shows， politically correct dogma is riddled with logical fallacies。 We have powerful
weapons to fight back with—if we have the courage to use them。

A provocative guide to defending reason and intellectual freedom and a battle cry for the preservation of our fundamental rights， The Parasitic Mind will be the most controversial and talked-about book of the year。

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Reviews

Dolly Martinez ，

Enlightening。 Definitely something I will eat again。

Jay ，

I'm as concerned as everyone else with the threat of growing illiberalism， and I agree with almost everything Saad says， but I thought there would be more description of how infectious ideas act like parasites。 Instead it's just mostly a review of all the lunacy of the last few years and the twitter spats that go along with it。 I'm as concerned as everyone else with the threat of growing illiberalism， and I agree with almost everything Saad says， but I thought there would be more description of how infectious ideas act like parasites。 Instead it's just mostly a review of all the lunacy of the last few years and the twitter spats that go along with it。 。。。more

Brian Kelly ，

🤮

Shawn Frilot ，

A concise and logical understanding of the false narrative perpetrated by universities and other institutions sticking to an equality of outcome sense of social justice， postmodernism and perpetual victimhood。Not afraid to tell the truth this book is the bravery all of us need stand up to misinformation not validated by objective truth。

Arttu Malek ，

A scrupulous and insightful companion to Cynical Theories and Peterson's videos and writing by a famous evolutionary psychologist Gad Saad。 Gad guts the modern academia and media， providing a wide list of parasitic ideas that deter free speech， diversity of ideas and the conduct of a modern liberal society instead replacing its values with identity politics， safe spaces and search of comfort despite the notions of reality and truth， turning any kind of discussion into a game of high road and mor A scrupulous and insightful companion to Cynical Theories and Peterson's videos and writing by a famous evolutionary psychologist Gad Saad。 Gad guts the modern academia and media， providing a wide list of parasitic ideas that deter free speech， diversity of ideas and the conduct of a modern liberal society instead replacing its values with identity politics， safe spaces and search of comfort despite the notions of reality and truth， turning any kind of discussion into a game of high road and morality and oppression Olympics。 Definitely worth reading。 。。。more

Alvaro Magnolfi ，

Good bookThe author gives a good explanation of how postmodernist ideology rhetoric focuses on only subjective evidence to hold their stances。 Empiricism is out of the question when discussing the emotional experience of the world what makes it challenging to maintain arguments with this ideology。 I appreciate the effort to confront whatever ideas treat our own and understanding of the world and the morals of our society。 It is ok to judge when we have the correct arguments on our side。I recomme Good bookThe author gives a good explanation of how postmodernist ideology rhetoric focuses on only subjective evidence to hold their stances。 Empiricism is out of the question when discussing the emotional experience of the world what makes it challenging to maintain arguments with this ideology。 I appreciate the effort to confront whatever ideas treat our own and understanding of the world and the morals of our society。 It is ok to judge when we have the correct arguments on our side。I recommend this book to anyone that would like the other side of the correct political framework 。。。more

Solée Meidus ，

recommended by Ondralistening on Audible

Erika Siabatto ，

Obsessed！ An extraordinary and complete analysis of what is required to defend our modern freedoms in the current climate of madness and ideological confusion。 An insightful book to support us in the pursue of the truth and the battle against bad ideas。 Totally recommend。

Kit Hart ，

For Critical thinkers who refuse to succumb to the narrative being shoved into our heads by the elite: a must-read

Amaya Saunsaucie ，

This book just sounded like an angry conservative blaming liberals for all the problems in the west。 Wahhhhhh

Mihkel Ummelas ，

Not a very deep book， but a decent one。 Some interesting concepts were discussed。 Some sarcasm that I found unnecessary but I kind of get it considering the amazing levels of political correctness， denial of freedom of speech， victim mentality etc。 that has become not only expected but accepted in the West。

Fred ，

Saad does a good job of pointing out the failure to create a comprehensive case by many parties in today's intellectual arguments。 Saad does a good job of pointing out the failure to create a comprehensive case by many parties in today's intellectual arguments。 。。。more

Mark Waine ，

Brilliant， illuminating and horrifying in equal measure

Peri ，

Even when I agree with the author I find myself rolling my eyes because his tone is indistinguishable for that of the kid in yellow pajamas in the movie Polar Express。

Priya Ramakrishnan ，

He's a hilarious writer， but a lot of ideas given in the book one can garner from his podcast。 If you've heard him speak on YouTube and the like， don't bother。 He's a hilarious writer， but a lot of ideas given in the book one can garner from his podcast。 If you've heard him speak on YouTube and the like， don't bother。 。。。more

Sabina Kulik ，

I can attest to having many of my own ideas challenged by those presented by Saad， and I did find some of the evidence he brought to light interesting， and value the book based on its ability to bring me to question some long established ideas of mine。 I found a particular smugness and condescension to Saad's tone a little difficult to stomach sometimes， however， and his relaying of Twitter insult wars on occasions distasteful and juvenile。 I also found that Saad represents his own views as alwa I can attest to having many of my own ideas challenged by those presented by Saad， and I did find some of the evidence he brought to light interesting， and value the book based on its ability to bring me to question some long established ideas of mine。 I found a particular smugness and condescension to Saad's tone a little difficult to stomach sometimes， however， and his relaying of Twitter insult wars on occasions distasteful and juvenile。 I also found that Saad represents his own views as always complex and non-binary， whereas the views of the opponents he speaks of， ie， feminists， are always presented on much more of an extreme black and white spectrum， which I feel isn't particularly reflective of the wide range of left-leaning perspectives。 The book also seems to gives extensive attention to topics it seems Saad is most personally affected by。 I felt the ideals he presents of science as entirely objective is somewhat of an impossibility， and he doesn't account for the agendas of funding bodies， or agendas behind choosing a particular topic for research over another。 Altogether， although the message of the book is one I agree with， encouraging individuals to think for themselves， research and garner truth rather than letting important political and social decisions be governed entirely by emotionality， it would have been more convincing and palatable if he were to approach the issue from a more balanced standpoint， considering some of the strengths of liberal arguments also。 Ironically， the complete lack of support or consideration for absolutely any liberal ideas across the book suggests a particular level of emotional bias which Saad claims to despise。 。。。more

Rahul H ，

4 StarsLiberalism and progressive has become dumbass shit， simple。

John Paxton ，

Favorite phrase。 The homeostasis of victimology。 E。G。， If there aren't enough examples of whatever oppression your protesting exists to make your point。 Create them。 A good takeaway is that we have to have some degree of personal courage when interacting with those that would attempt to use us as the material to create the rungs for their ascension up the oppression ladder。 When it's no longer enough to be tolerant and you have to be a cheerleader for your own demise what other choice do you hav Favorite phrase。 The homeostasis of victimology。 E。G。， If there aren't enough examples of whatever oppression your protesting exists to make your point。 Create them。 A good takeaway is that we have to have some degree of personal courage when interacting with those that would attempt to use us as the material to create the rungs for their ascension up the oppression ladder。 When it's no longer enough to be tolerant and you have to be a cheerleader for your own demise what other choice do you have？ Well hiding quietly in a corner hoping they pass you over seems to be most people's answer。 I hope this book inspires a few more people to locate their inner honey badger。 。。。more

Niklas ，

I liked the book and agree on most of Saad's points， however i expected it to be more ''meaty''， it read too much like a personal take for my points - although sources and facts were used。I found Saad's backstory in Lebanon especially interesting and whenever he would go to the subject of Religion; Especially Islam， those parts we're very good to me， the rest a bit lacking for my take。 Overall good and easy read， but it didn't reach the standard i had in mind。 I liked the book and agree on most of Saad's points， however i expected it to be more ''meaty''， it read too much like a personal take for my points - although sources and facts were used。I found Saad's backstory in Lebanon especially interesting and whenever he would go to the subject of Religion; Especially Islam， those parts we're very good to me， the rest a bit lacking for my take。 Overall good and easy read， but it didn't reach the standard i had in mind。 。。。more

Tariq Mahmood ，

Gad makes the most sense in presenting a rational argument when defending science but looks weak when he tries to apply rationalism to cultures。 He is wrong when he compares far-left cultural memes to similar outcomes in North Korea though。 Gad and Peterson fail to define 'free speech' properly， free speech in the cultural sphere are not saying whatever takes your fancy， but respecting the culture you live in。 The other issue is universities， I agree with Gad that they have become too commercial Gad makes the most sense in presenting a rational argument when defending science but looks weak when he tries to apply rationalism to cultures。 He is wrong when he compares far-left cultural memes to similar outcomes in North Korea though。 Gad and Peterson fail to define 'free speech' properly， free speech in the cultural sphere are not saying whatever takes your fancy， but respecting the culture you live in。 The other issue is universities， I agree with Gad that they have become too commercial， but Gad is a product of the same university system。 If he has been able to make a decent living thus far then the university system must still be inclusive。 。。。more

Cody Lasko ，

Tremendous exploration of toxic ideas and how they infect society and inflict upon individuals。 Gad Saad presents his arguments in an incredibly evocative and entertaining manner。 This makes for a palatable read that never completely dumbs itself down while remaining poignant and compelling throughout。 The message at the heart of this work is an important one。 It is asking the reader to rise up against the fronts of pseudo-science， liberal extremism， violent ideologies， and the collective meekne Tremendous exploration of toxic ideas and how they infect society and inflict upon individuals。 Gad Saad presents his arguments in an incredibly evocative and entertaining manner。 This makes for a palatable read that never completely dumbs itself down while remaining poignant and compelling throughout。 The message at the heart of this work is an important one。 It is asking the reader to rise up against the fronts of pseudo-science， liberal extremism， violent ideologies， and the collective meekness of our virtue signalling society。 It feels vital and necessary that such a message is being thrust forth and I appreciate it deeply for what it is。 I just wish there was a little less self-aggrandizing from the author。 It always rings a little hollow and narcissistic when one boasts examples of their self-righteous Twitter exchanges…Aside from that this is a solid read and I definitely recommend it。 。。。more

Joan Fung-Tomc ，

Gad Saad is a very clear thinker。 His family is Jewish and immigrated from Lebanon to Canada。 He is a professor of marketing in the business school at Concordia University， with background also in evolutionary and behavior sciences。 He is outspoken and not willing to back away from challenging views。 He stands his ground with clear arguments。 One aspect he challenges is today's universities， with their woke and space spaces。 In "The Parasitic Mind"， Saad raises good points， such as "The next tim Gad Saad is a very clear thinker。 His family is Jewish and immigrated from Lebanon to Canada。 He is a professor of marketing in the business school at Concordia University， with background also in evolutionary and behavior sciences。 He is outspoken and not willing to back away from challenging views。 He stands his ground with clear arguments。 One aspect he challenges is today's universities， with their woke and space spaces。 In "The Parasitic Mind"， Saad raises good points， such as "The next time some academics tell you how important 'diversity' is， ask how many Republicans there are in their sociology department。" He talks about man's behavioral immune system。 "Our bodies and minds expect exposure to novel and unfolding situations， but when it comes to our critical thinking faculties， we are shutting them down。 So many university graduates today are unable to debate because they have never been exposed to opposing viewpoints。。。。To function optimally， our evolved faculty for critical thinking expects to be challenged by contrary positions。" 。。。more

Lukas ，

The book is fun。 First， the author tells you the story about his escape from Lebanon with which he justified his interest to fight against social justice warriors， political correctness， （extreme） feminism， and so on。 In his hypothesis， these are key elements of a big menace to the freedom of western countries。 Thereafter， he tries to create a monster。 A monster that gets bigger and bigger chapter after chapter。 With horror scenarios from Universities in Canada and the Netherlands， he makes clea The book is fun。 First， the author tells you the story about his escape from Lebanon with which he justified his interest to fight against social justice warriors， political correctness， （extreme） feminism， and so on。 In his hypothesis， these are key elements of a big menace to the freedom of western countries。 Thereafter， he tries to create a monster。 A monster that gets bigger and bigger chapter after chapter。 With horror scenarios from Universities in Canada and the Netherlands， he makes clear who is the enemy。 And yes， that’s all。 There are no justifications why the current situation exists， no explanations of what you/we could do to fix it。 Sometimes， some crazy and not very scientific explanations appear （like the sneaky fucker hypothesis， which was fun） but because of the lack of presented data， it is nearly impossible to take it seriously。All in one， the book is not what it claims to be。 It is more like a little horror story that tries you to convince that we are f****。 。。。more

Jay Whyte ，

Interesting read on how society has changed in subtle ways like feeling trumping truths or infectious ideas running rampant in universities。

Ryan ，

Had to stop reading it。 I couldn’t stand the guy saying “buffoon” and “lunacy” more than giving examples of why he’s calling these people buffoons and lunatics。 Sorry， but if you have a PHD from Cornell and have to repeatedly say the same childish words- I don’t respect you （and don’t give me that “ I wrote it for a general audience” BS either！） I agree that political correctness has gone into the deep end， and there should be a better solution than just shaming everyone who doesn’t follow the c Had to stop reading it。 I couldn’t stand the guy saying “buffoon” and “lunacy” more than giving examples of why he’s calling these people buffoons and lunatics。 Sorry， but if you have a PHD from Cornell and have to repeatedly say the same childish words- I don’t respect you （and don’t give me that “ I wrote it for a general audience” BS either！） I agree that political correctness has gone into the deep end， and there should be a better solution than just shaming everyone who doesn’t follow the crowd mentality， but crowd mentality depends on the crowd。 This book is more about the author selling himself and his strong opinions than about “truth” and “freedom。” I do not recommend it。 。。。more

Blossom ，

3。66 ;）Normally I round up but I’m going to start rounding down。 It doesn’t earn 4 stars from me so I’ll not mark it as such。Alright， what was good？ He presents a lot of information and presents it mostly in a logical manner。 His analysis of the issues today are not without fault but they definitely give the reader something to consider。 He says to not be silent and this goes for everyone who sees/hears/knows of something ‘wrong。’ I actually really appreciated his evolution arguments for what pr 3。66 ;）Normally I round up but I’m going to start rounding down。 It doesn’t earn 4 stars from me so I’ll not mark it as such。Alright， what was good？ He presents a lot of information and presents it mostly in a logical manner。 His analysis of the issues today are not without fault but they definitely give the reader something to consider。 He says to not be silent and this goes for everyone who sees/hears/knows of something ‘wrong。’ I actually really appreciated his evolution arguments for what progressives attack as social constructs。 These were backed by relevant scientific research。What I did not like at times was his sarcasm。 There’s facetiousness- poking fun for the fun of all involved; then there’s sarcasm。 Sarcasm is intentionally meant to cause some kind of discomfort or pain。 I find there is too much sarcasm in the world。 The use of the “f” word。 Cannot stand when people can’t come up with better words to express themselves。 Personal hangup。 My personal thoughts: If you aren’t silent you had better not demand others to be！ We should all be able to have conversations about the issues， not blacklisting， not shunning， not blocking， etc。 If you can’t have a conversation， it is a problem that begins with you， not the world。 You need to deal with that before you attempt to ‘fix’ the world。 。。。more

Sam Kamoona ，

Although I agree with lots of the wrtter openion but I find the book came with nothing new。 It is pure ranting about the left and democrats。 There are some few jokes but the wrtter deems to be funny and smart only about democrats。 No statics no data to support his opemions just ranting。

Marko Karilaid ，

A clearly partisan book in the culture war， however a welcome refresher in a world polluted by post-modernism。

Lauren Hillman ，

We’ll I’ve done it， I’ve finished my first ever one-star book。 I seriously hated this， and only finished it so I could say I gave it a chance and wasn’t reacting emotionally to what was being said。 But I cannot say how many times in this book I was fighting with the author， disagreeing with so much of what he said。 I straight up lost count。 I especially hated how he used examples of extremists from within every group to make his point that these movements have gone too far， while completely igno We’ll I’ve done it， I’ve finished my first ever one-star book。 I seriously hated this， and only finished it so I could say I gave it a chance and wasn’t reacting emotionally to what was being said。 But I cannot say how many times in this book I was fighting with the author， disagreeing with so much of what he said。 I straight up lost count。 I especially hated how he used examples of extremists from within every group to make his point that these movements have gone too far， while completely ignoring the actual point of these movements。 I also hated his condescension。 He put lots of words in quotes， and I could hear air quotes around SO many things that were being narrated… real things… so the air quotes just showed how little he thought of them。 And he quotes himself so much。 And oh my god was he ever a whiner。 So many times did his argument come back to poor cis white men， we can’t say anything anymore。 He just missed the point on so many issues。 His point seems to have been that within academia and universities people can’t discuss and be critical of things anymore without being called transphobic or islamophobic or sexist or racist， etc。 But it also sounds like he legitimately wants to say some pretty transphobic， islamophobic， racist， sexist things… The only thing I agreed with him on is that yes， within all these movements there are people who take things too far and that criticism and debate would be a good thing to have within a safe academic environment。 But of course， he’s opposed to creating such safe spaces， as he assumes they’re just about not hurting anyone’s feelings… I’m so glad it’s done。 。。。more

Heith ，

Infernally logical， Saad addresses the bankruptcy and contradictions of post modern bad ideas。 Given the premise of the pervading illogic of vogue bad ideas， one wonders how effective this book will be for anyone but those for whom the veneer has already begun to chip。

Reference

google book https://www.google.com/search?tbm=bks&q=The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense

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The British Library https://bll01.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/discovery/search?query=any,contains,The Parasitic Mind: How Infectious Ideas Are Killing Common Sense&tab=LibraryCatalog&search_scope=Not_BL_Suppress&vid=44BL_INST:BLL01&lang=en&offset=0