The New Age of Sexism
At this point, I would read almost anything by Laura Bates because, book after book, I am left educated, informed, and a little speechless. So if you are wondering how biased this review of The New Age of Sexism might be, maybe that will give you a little hint! In all seriousness, though, that bias is built on a foundation of proven excellence.
The New Age of Sexism by Laura Bates is another book in a series exploring sexism in its many, often hidden, forms. So what form of sexism does this book explore? Well, The New Age of Sexism, as the subtitle “how the AI revolution is reinventing misogyny”, suggests it explores AI and how these new tools are harming the progression towards equality, but also so much more. This book explores how new technology, AI and more are resurrecting and reinforcing the worst aspects of sexism and misogyny that people have been working hard for generations to educate and eradicate from society.
It might feel odd to many readers to hear a man talking about and reviewing a book on sexism, but I think that's half the point. As you might expect, a book like this feels like it might be an angry rant about men and technology, but in reality, it is so far removed from that. At times, emotions clearly come through, but I felt that they were only matching my own as I was reading it, so they never felt out of place. I am not exaggerating when I said that this book moved me, and in the best possible ways. So much so that when I have recommended this book, I often add the caveat that it should be read when the person is in a calm headspace. I really do feel that most of Laura Bates’s books should be read by more men. It is easy not to notice privilege, and it is easy to get dragged into misogynistic ways of thinking, just read Men Who Hate Women to see how that can happen, when you don't educate yourself on how far-reaching and often subtle ways that sexism can creep into everyday life. Therefore, I want to understand what might be trying to influence my worldview so I can avoid it and stand against it, because even if it doesn't impact me directly, it impacts my partner, my family, my friends, and so many of the people in my life.
Laura Bates really does seem to have a knack for writing books that I believe should be read by almost everybody. This, their most recent publication, does an excellent job of highlighting what is often lurking behind the curtain of technology and worlds that most don't explore. The New Age of Sexism seems like a natural progression from the author's previous books and an excellent addition to the collection.