On Being Unreasonable: Why Being Bad Can Be a Force for Good
On Being Unreasonable: Why Being Bad Can Be a Force for Good
Call no.
: 303.4 SED
Author
: Kirsty Sedgman
Contributor
: Nur Farhan Bin Aini
Summary
We live in an increasingly divided world where civil debate has declined, and respect, manners, and order seem to be fading. What one person sees as reasonable often appears offensive to another. Everyday actions—letting children play outside during work hours, applying makeup on public transport, reclining airplane seats, or breastfeeding in public—spark disagreement over what’s acceptable. Even how we protect our communities or protest injustice becomes a matter of contention. In On Being Unreasonable, Kirsty Sedgman explores how historical and cultural forces have embedded unfairness and discrimination into social norms, shaping our perceptions of what’s “right” or “proper.” Through examining issues of gender, class, race, disability, and sexuality, Sedgman reveals how these norms divide us. She ultimately argues that genuine progress often requires us to challenge conventional ideas of reasonableness—and that being “unreasonable” at times is essential for driving fairness and positive social change.