James O'Brien

How To Be Right… in a World Gone Wrong

Apurva Chitnis

Summary in three (long...) sentences - How To Be Right is a good discussion of the problems the UK faces today: the polarisation of big media and its lack of regard for the truth, the overly-cosy relationship that journalists have with politicians, and the economic time bomb that millennials have now found themselves in. It's a fun read consisting of James' commentary on topical subjects, using excerpts from his radio show, and spans race and gender to political correctness. My world view hasn't shifted radically after listening, but I feel optimistic that careful discussion of facts can get through to those we disagree with so strongly - a particularly relevant read in today's polarised world.

Why a 3 and not a 4 or 5?

I wish James went deeper in his discussions with guests. Why do they hold such radical views? What is preventing them from changing their minds? And why do they persist when they're presented with evidence to the contrary?

James does a good job at presenting facts and arguing, but I wonder if he could have made a greater impact by trying to understand what led them to his world view. Ask them why 5 times, and keep going if he's continuing to learn new things. It feels like's he's trying to be too clever most of the time, but perhaps his job as a radio show host needs him to be entertaining. He also doesn't investigate the role social media plays in "radical" belief, which I feel is a missed opportunity.

Finally, I listened to the audiobook version which worked very well when following exchanges between James and his guests. However, his writing is sometimes too mechanical and hard to understand in normal prose. I wish he'd say things simply.