Summary Of Robert Lipsyte's Jock Culture

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Robert Lipsyte, non-fiction, “Jock Culture” (2011); establishes that modern society is dominated by values of masculinity and the dominance of the physically strong, but this is the root of other issues further down the line. Lipsyte cites eyewitness accounts from his personal life and statements from business leaders and athletic coaches to first describe the praise athletes or “jocks” receive in their youth as well as adult life, and more importantly to reveal the flaws of this social value as it extends beyond the sport itself. Lipsyte’s purpose is to expound on the flaws of the “jock culture” ingrained in our society in order to reveal that this is the cause of other problems in our culture outside of the field or court. Lipsyte creates an analytical and contemplative tone as he explains to American youth and adults the benefits and drawbacks of praising those of athletic ability. Russell Baker, non-fiction, “The Plot Against People” (1968); humorously suggests that all of mankind’s technology can be divided into three classes and each has a unique technique to undermine human progress. Baker uses personal evidence and trends from others’ lives to illustrate the manner in which each class of technology …show more content…

Daum charts the increased use of the term in social and professional media outlets and its flagrant misuse in these instances as reasons to discontinue its use altogether. Daum’s purpose is to discredit the use of narcissism as an all-encompassing term for “jerk” in order to cause society to acknowledge its own flaws rather than hiding behind fictionalized mental disorders. Daum creates a tone that is critical of mankind’s increase in amorality and desire for excuses to cause America as a society to seek within itself for a true solution to its moral