The Importance of a Hell

Americans are politically exhausted. Shadi happens to be one of them. But he’s taking action. In this special episode, our venerable co-host opens up about burnout, finitude, and his own struggles with meaning. In society more broadly, politically induced fatigue and even depression are spreading. Is there a way to find that meaning without religion—or is religion the only way?

Links:

The episode where Matt discusses thoughts and prayers: https://comment.org/podcasts/prayer-is-political/

Shadi on tying one's camel: https://wisdomofcrowds.live/p/is-it-enough-to-tie-your-camel-and

Shadi’s essay in The Atlantic on breaking up with the news: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/03/information-news-addiction-liberal-depression/673351/

2022 study on political depression: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8759681/