Leonard "I can't believe I ate the whole thing" A. says:
I'm sure you've heard of Zagat, but have you heard of Zogby? John Zogby runs polls in a way that Gallup and Pew Research do not. He doesn't contact "strangers" via telephone like a telemarketer. He allows people who are actually *interested* in being polled to contact him via email, and they get put on a list. From time to time they then receive interactive polls via email in which to participate. The questions make you think, and in time you learn something about yourself, as well as the condition of the country, and the state of politics and all the other trends that drive America.
Zogby's been at this for many years, and has finally condensed his findings -- and his contemplations about his findings -- into a book with a futuristic edge a la Alvin Toffler. Here's what he has to say about his book:
"The conventional wisdom about the United States-that we're isolated from the world, politically fragmented, and inclined toward material pleasure-isn't just flawed; it may be 180 degrees from the truth. In this far-reaching and illuminating look at contemporary American life, I reveal nothing less than The Way We'll Be. Drawing on thousands of in-depth surveys conducted especially for the book, you will discover where we're headed-politically, culturally, and spiritually.
"The American dream is in transition; it is rapidly being redefined by four meta-movements: living with limits as consumers and citizens; embracing diversity of views and ways of life; looking inward to find spiritual comfort; and demanding authenticity from the media, our leaders, and leading institutions. Spearheaded by today's eighteen-to-twenty-nine-year-o lds-the "First Global" generation-Americans are becoming more internationalist, consensus-oriented, and environmentally conscious and less willing to identify themselves by the things they do to earn or spend their money. But this is more than a youth tide. Americans of all ages are moving beyond old divides-red state/blue state, pro-life/pro-choice, beer drinker/wine connoisseur-to form a new national consensus that will shape the nation for decades to come."
Go to www.zogby.com/book Play the video clip and listen to what he has to say. The book pertains to *you*, because it's *about* you, and the trends that 18-to-29 year-olds are shaping. Don't be surprised if you buy a copy. I just did!
http://www.yelp.com/topic/los-angeles-john-zogbys-new-book-the-way-well-be-3