This Is Not Normal

This Is Not Normal examines how society shifted from stable political norms to a state of perpetual crisis and instability between 2016-2020. Through essays originally published in the London Review of Books, Davies documents changes in media, technology, and public discourse during this transformative period. The book traces how social media platforms, data analytics, and changing journalistic practices contributed to new forms of political manipulation and social division. Davies analyzes specific events and phenomena including Brexit, the rise of populism, and the erosion of truth in public debate. The collection provides context for understanding how traditional democratic institutions and shared reality came under threat during this time period. Davies incorporates research from sociology, political science, and media studies to explain the mechanisms behind these changes. This work explores fundamental questions about truth, democracy, and power in an era when the boundaries between reality and fiction have become increasingly blurred. The essays combine to create a portrait of how democratic societies grapple with radical technological and political transformation.

Readers value Davies' analysis of how abnormal political events become normalized over time. Many note the book helps make sense of modern political developments, though some say the essays feel disconnected since they were written at different times. Liked: - Clear explanations of complex political shifts - Compelling examples from Brexit and Trump era - Strong insights into media manipulation - Accessible academic writing style Disliked: - Essays don't form a cohesive narrative - Some repetition between chapters - UK/Brexit-heavy focus limits global relevance - Lack of concrete solutions offered One reviewer called it "A sobering look at how we've gradually accepted the unacceptable." Another noted "Davies excels at connecting psychological concepts to political realities." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (124 ratings) Amazon UK: 4.3/5 (46 reviews) Amazon US: 4.1/5 (31 reviews)

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📚 William Davies is a political economist and sociologist at Goldsmiths, University of London, where he co-directs the Political Economy Research Centre. 🗓️ The book was published in 2020, at a pivotal moment during both the COVID-19 pandemic and Brexit implementation, allowing for real-time analysis of these historic events. 💡 The book's title comes from a phrase that became increasingly common during Donald Trump's presidency, highlighting how previously unacceptable political behavior was becoming normalized. 🔍 Davies draws heavily from the works of Hannah Arendt, particularly her analysis of how truth becomes destabilized in political discourse, to explain contemporary phenomena. 📊 The book examines how digital media and modern technology have transformed political communication, creating an environment where emotions and personal narratives often override factual evidence.