Who wrote the book, "The Lonely Crowd"?

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Correct option is C

David Riesman

• David Riesman wrote the influential book "The Lonely Crowd" in 1950. The book explores the changing nature of social character in post-war America, particularly the shift from inner-directed to other-directed people in a modern society. This shift, according to Riesman, contributes to a loss of individuality and increased conformity in society, which is captured in the title "The Lonely Crowd."

• Howard Rheingold is a prominent figure in internet studies, authoring books like "The Virtual Community" and "Smart Mobs," which are unrelated to the topic of social character.

• Bruno Latour is a sociologist known for his work in Science and Technology Studies (STS) and is most famous for "Actor-Network Theory," which focuses on how human and non-human actors interact in creating scientific knowledge.

• Georg Simmel is known for his work in sociology and philosophy, particularly for developing the concept of "social forms," which includes his famous essay "The Metropolis and Mental Life," but he did not write "The Lonely Crowd."

Information Booster:

1. David Riesman's "The Lonely Crowd" remains a landmark in social theory, analyzing the impact of social pressures on individualism in America.

2. Riesman describes three types of social character: inner-directed, other-directed, and tradition-directed.

3. The book is particularly critical of modern American society, which, Riesman argues, moves away from inner-directed values toward a more outward-focused mentality driven by social conformity.

4. The concept of other-directed people focuses on individuals who are influenced by external cues and societal trends, often leading to a lack of self-direction.

5. The book's exploration of social isolation in the context of urbanization and industrialization had a significant impact on both sociological and psychological theory.

6. The Lonely Crowd highlights the tension between individuality and social conformity in modern life.

Additional Information:

• Howard Rheingold: Known for his analysis of virtual communities and the social impacts of digital media, he is not related to the content of "The Lonely Crowd."

• Bruno Latour: An influential sociologist and anthropologist, Latour’s work is focused on the intersection of science, technology, and society, especially through his Actor-Network Theory.

• Georg Simmel: His work on urban life and the impact of modernity on the individual provides important sociological insights, but it is distinct from the ideas discussed in "The Lonely Crowd.