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The Elephant in the Room: Silence and Denial in Everyday Life,Used
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The fable of the Emperor's New Clothes is a classic example of a conspiracy of silence, a situation where everyone refuses to acknowledge an obvious truth. But the denial of social realitieswhether incest, alcoholism, corruption, or even genocideis no fairy tale.In The Elephant in the Room, Eviatar Zerubavel sheds new light on the social and political underpinnings of silence and denialthe keeping of 'open secrets.' The author shows that conspiracies of silence exist at every level of society, ranging from small groups to large corporations, from personal friendships to politics. Zerubavel shows how such conspiracies evolve, illuminating the social pressures that cause people to deny what is right before their eyes. We see how each conspirator's denial is symbiotically complemented by the others', and we learn that silence is usually more intense when there are more people conspiringand especially when there are significant power differences among them. He concludes by showing that the longer we ignore 'elephants,' the larger they loom in our minds, as each avoidance triggers an even greater spiral of denial.Drawing on examples from newspapers and comedy shows to novels, children's stories, and film, the book travels back and forth across different levels of social life, and from everyday moments to largescale historical events. At its core, The Elephant in the Room helps us understand why we ignore truths that are known to all of us.
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- Q: What is the main theme of 'The Elephant in the Room'? A: The main theme of 'The Elephant in the Room' is the exploration of silence and denial in society, particularly how social pressures lead individuals and groups to ignore obvious truths.
- Q: Who is the author of 'The Elephant in the Room'? A: 'The Elephant in the Room' is authored by Eviatar Zerubavel, a noted sociologist.
- Q: How many pages are in 'The Elephant in the Room'? A: 'The Elephant in the Room' contains 176 pages.
- Q: What is the publication date of 'The Elephant in the Room'? A: 'The Elephant in the Room' was published on October 31, 2007.
- Q: Is 'The Elephant in the Room' available in different formats? A: 'The Elephant in the Room' is available in paperback format.
- Q: What category does 'The Elephant in the Room' fall under? A: 'The Elephant in the Room' is categorized under Social Psychology & Interactions.
- Q: What are some key concepts discussed in the book? A: Key concepts in the book include conspiracies of silence, social pressures, and the dynamics of denial across different levels of society.
- Q: Can 'The Elephant in the Room' be useful for understanding social issues? A: Yes, 'The Elephant in the Room' provides insights into various social issues such as corruption, alcoholism, and other forms of denial, making it relevant for understanding contemporary societal challenges.
- Q: Is there any specific audience that would benefit from this book? A: The book is beneficial for students, professionals in social sciences, and anyone interested in understanding the complexities of social interactions and denial.
- Q: What literary styles does the author use in 'The Elephant in the Room'? A: Eviatar Zerubavel employs a mix of narrative styles, drawing from examples in newspapers, comedy, novels, and historical events to illustrate his points.