Jens Balzer's 'Confusion is next' Reviews the 2000s in Under 300 Pages

In his latest book, 'Confusion is next – die Nullerjahre', German author Jens Balzer attempts to encapsulate the entire decade of the 2000s in fewer than 300 pages. Following his previous works on the 1980s and 1990s, Balzer tackles a period marked by increasing global connectivity and complexity. The book covers both German pop culture and global upheavals, but the ambitious scope leads to inevitable gaps and imbalances. For instance, the chapter on 'Bionade-Biedermeier' receives as much attention as major events like 9/11 or the advent of the iPhone, which some may question. However, this maximalist approach also lends the book its appeal. Balzer offers several insightful and controversial analyses, including the role of misogyny and antisemitism in gangsta rap in paving the way for right-wing shifts, and the spread of Peter Thiel's early Tolkien-nerd origins. Most striking is his thesis that the 2008 bank bailout ultimately cemented capitalism's victory over democracy. The book is published by an unspecified publisher, and the review appears on kulturnews.de, written by Matthias Jordan. The review also recommends a related book, 'Kein Bock Club' by Maria Popov.