University of Virginia Library

Consciousness Of Discontent

Consciousness III is to be found
primarily in the new "youth culture,"
although Mr. Reich emphasizes
that it belongs to no group
exclusively. He builds a good case
for its existence, bolstered with
evidence that younger children today
have even greater radical potential
than their older siblings. What
the book draws is a picture of a
trend. How one interprets the trend
makes all the difference.

Mr. Reich's appraisal is optimistic.
His assertion that "there is no
reason to fight the machine" seems
founded on the premise that a
change so overwhelming as the one
approaching is well worth waiting
for. The Times review renders a
gloomier image, one already poisoned
with psychosis and speed and
bombs and absolute hate.