Myth Breaker Stossel: He’s Misstra Know It All

By Chris Manson August 10, 2006 Issue

With all the prominent kooks around these days—I’m thinking specifically of Godless author Ann Coulter, but lately Mel Gibson appears to be shaping up to overtake the number-one slot—it’s interesting the relatively harmless John Stossel has landed a book on the bestsellers list. I call him harmless because after reading Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity, I wasn’t the least bit angered, intrigued, or moved.

Stossel begins his remarkably useless book with a chapter titled “Clueless Media.” C’mon, John, tell us something we don’t already know. Of course, his employer ABC News — Stossel made his name as a 20/20 correspondent — is spared from criticism. Interestingly, the one media outlet that really has excelled at scrutinizing the media, Z magazine, recently published a fine article discrediting Stossel’s television special on “Stupid Schools” from which Chapter 5 of Myths… draws heavily.

I have problems with Stossel’s sources. Anyone can support their argument with a quote or two from some “expert” or obscure study. But Stossel seldom presents strong opposing viewpoints, if only to tear them down. Instead he relies heavily on recycled 20/20 reports, and brief quotes from his interview subjects. It’s about as exciting as reading courtroom transcripts.

Speaking of the courtroom, Stossel really has it in for greedy trial lawyers, especially those who specialize in class action suits. But what does he suggest we do about this problem? Nothing, really. The idiocy of someone suing a fast food joint for making him fat is old news, as stale as last year’s Jay Leno monologues.

Another chapter takes on the “Monster Government.” As a self-proclaimed libertarian, Stossel’s gripes are to be expected, but where’s the fire? And why is it that Stossel doesn’t brag about his gun collection and the right to bear arms like all the libertarians I’ve met? In “Bashing Business,” Stossel proclaims that all corporations aren’t evil, citing only the predictable Enron, Tyco, and WorldCom as exceptions. It might have been interesting for the author to find a company that could serve as a model for others — exceptional treatment of employees, stuff like that. Instead, he calls outsourcing American jobs a good thing and stands up for Halliburton. Normally, I’d get worked up over such claims, but Stossel’s presentation borders on the trivial.

In fact, Myths… is not likely to be taken any more seriously than one of those trivia books you find in the reference section, especially when Stossel spends a whole chapter dispelling those old Mom’s tales. Want to go swimming after eating? It won’t hurt you! Save your dough and buy Why Do Men Have Nipples? instead. You might actually learn something.

Even areas where Stossel has some creditable experience — parenting and consumer reporting —offer little in the way of useful information. The reader would be better off with an issue of Consumer Reports for the latter. At least the magazine is current.

Other Stosselisms abound throughout the book. Global warming exists, but it’s hardly the big problem Al Gore thinks it is. Beating your kids is bad. Men and women really are different. Did I mention Stossel identifies himself as a libertarian? How about simpleton? I add this cheap remark because I know the author will not sue me.

The only emotion I feel after reading Myths, Lies, and Downright Stupidity is pity for the booksellers who have to figure out where to shelf this thing after it slides off the bestseller list. Current affairs? Not political enough. Humor? Not funny enough. How about the remainder bin?

304 pages, Hyperion, available at bookstores, local libraries, and online booksellers.

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