When Academia Meets Ideology

Read Time:4 Minute, 6 Second

MOVIE REVIEW
The Coddling of the American Mind
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Genre: Documentary
Year Released: 2023, 2024
Runtime: 1h 33m
Director(s): Ted Balaker
Where To Watch: available on VOD October 17, 2024

RAVING REVIEW: THE CODDLING OF THE AMERICAN MIND, directed by Ted Balaker and based on the book by Greg Lukianoff and Jonathan Haidt, attempts to delve into the growing mental health challenges faced by today’s youth, particularly on college campuses. While there are some notable efforts to capture the complex struggles of the younger generation, the documentary unfortunately oversimplifies what is a profoundly intricate issue. This feels more like an undercover slap in the face against people being ‘woke’ than a story looking to help enlighten the world. I admit I haven’t read the book, but based on the film, I have to put a lot into question.

The film brings forward the personal stories of individuals like Kimi and Lucy, whose experiences highlight the societal pressures exacerbated by social media. However, the narrative often reduces these modern challenges to surface-level observations, treating them as isolated personal battles rather than symptoms of more significant, systemic issues. The documentary's attempt to convey the toll of these pressures feels uneven, sometimes hitting the right emotional notes but too often glossing over the deeper layers of these struggles.

Social media is depicted as both a tool for connection and a catalyst for isolation, which is hardly a new or groundbreaking observation. The film touches on how digital platforms contribute to cycles of fear and insecurity, but its analysis of these phenomena feels shallow. By merely skimming the surface, it misses an opportunity to offer deeper insights into how these digital environments warp perceptions and shape mental health. The film also avoids a conversation about the positives of these platforms!

One of the more controversial aspects of the film is its critique of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. While it’s clear the filmmakers intended to provoke thought and challenge the effectiveness of these programs, the execution feels imbalanced. The critique comes off as reactionary at times, lacking the critical depth needed to explore such a sensitive topic without alienating viewers. Instead of fostering a balanced conversation, it too often leans into polemics, undermining the empathy the film purports to champion.

Perhaps the most distracting element is the film’s stance on 'woke' culture, which it critiques with a heavy hand. While there’s an attempt to encourage reflection and dialogue, the framing of the argument feels one-sided. The narrative doesn’t always succeed in promoting understanding; instead, it risks contributing to the ideological divisions it seeks to address. While I have no evidence, this feels like an undercover attempt by right-leaning individuals pretending to be on the side of “good.”

Ultimately, while the film wants to spark dialogue on important issues like free speech, digital alienation, and ideological divides, its impact is undermined by a lack of nuance and a tendency to reduce complex, multifaceted issues into overly simplified narratives. The film presents human connection as the solution to our fragmented digital lives. Still, its messaging comes across as too broad, never entirely cutting through the layers of complexity that define modern struggles with mental health, technology, and social change.

THE CODDLING OF THE AMERICAN MIND is a well-meaning film (I think) that starts important conversations but doesn’t follow through in a meaningful or impactful way. The blend of personal stories and ideological critique shows potential. Nevertheless, the film doesn’t engage with the depth necessary to truly understand the layered and nuanced challenges young people face today. It leaves viewers with the sense that something important was touched on but never fully explored, making for an uneven viewing experience.

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[photo courtesy of KORCHULA PRODUCTIONS, SUBSTACK]

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