Scott Alexander critically reviews 'On the Road' by Jack Kerouac, highlighting its problematic glorification of irresponsible behavior and flawed philosophy. Longer summary

Scott Alexander reviews Jack Kerouac's 'On the Road', criticizing the book's glorification of irresponsible behavior, its treatment of women and minorities, and its excessive use of religious adjectives. He contrasts the characters' perceived oppression with their actual privilege in 1950s America, and reflects on the book's philosophy of rejecting societal norms. Scott suggests the book might be best read as an early exploration of a lifestyle that has since become commonplace, and compares its flawed utopianism to early Communist thought. Shorter summary