Derek Thompson, a Staff writer at The Atlantic and host of the Plain English podcast, explores the rise of cult-like thinking in today's digital landscape. He discusses how the internet has splintered society into niche subcultures, from crypto enthusiasts resembling religious devotion to pop culture fandoms that fill spiritual voids. Thompson also critiques identity politics, noting how modern political engagement often stems from opposition rather than policy. Amidst these trends, he emphasizes the importance of fostering real-world connections for genuine social engagement.
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insights INSIGHT
Modern Cults vs. Mainstream
Modern cults criticize mainstream culture, claiming it's broken.
The internet facilitates this by enabling echo chambers and anti-establishment narratives.
insights INSIGHT
The Seductive Power of Cults
People join cults for status, power, and a simplified worldview.
Identifying a common enemy provides a sense of understanding and belonging.
insights INSIGHT
Media Fragmentation and Distrust
New media entrepreneurs often build their platforms by criticizing established media.
This creates a paradoxical situation where people distrust "The Media" but trust their chosen media personalities.
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The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be
Katy Milkman
In this ground-breaking book, Katy Milkman reveals a proven path to help readers move from where they are to where they want to be. Drawing on her original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, Milkman shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. The book offers innovative approaches like 'temptation bundling,' using timely reminders, and creating 'set-it-and-forget-it systems' to make change more achievable. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring solutions to specific roadblocks and using science to stack the deck in favor of successful change.
The internet has fractured our world into a million little subcultures catering to the specific identities and habits of everyone online. Writer Derek Thompson believes this has led to a widespread cult-like mentality that has crept into all facets of modern life — pop culture, media, politics, and religion itself. He joins Sean to explain this theory, and why it’s maybe not such a bad thing.
Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), host, The Gray Area