#128 – Michael Malice: Anarchy, Democracy, Libertarianism, Love, and Trolling

20 snips

Oct 2, 2020

Michael Malice, a thought-provoking political thinker and author known for "Dear Reader" and his podcast "You're Welcome," delves into some fascinating topics. He discusses the balance between individual freedom and societal cohesion, explores the complexities of love in both digital and personal relationships, and critiques the nature of political discourse and trolling in contemporary society. The conversation also touches on anarchism, the impact of social media on politics, and engaging with controversial ideologies, all infused with humor and insightful anecdotes.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Putin Trolls Merkel

Michael Malice recounts Putin trolling Merkel, who is afraid of dogs, by bringing his large dog close to her.
This playful interaction highlights Putin's awareness of his persona and his tendency to engage in trolling.

INSIGHT

Cultural Differences in Trust

Michael Malice discusses cultural differences in perceiving strangers, contrasting American friendliness with Russian distrust.
He highlights the "moat" Russians maintain and the internal scan for potential threats in conversations.

ANECDOTE

Differing Approaches to Conflict

Michael Malice shares an anecdote about an American friend who offered unsolicited advice to directly confront a coworker.
He contrasts this with the Russian approach of avoiding vulnerability and seeking alternative solutions before direct confrontation.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

The New Right

A Journey to the Fringe of American Politics

Michael Malice

Michael Malice's "The New Right" delves into the complexities of the American right-wing, exploring its various factions and ideologies. The book examines the historical evolution of the movement, tracing its roots and influences. Malice analyzes key figures and their impact on the political landscape. He also discusses the role of social media and other factors in shaping the contemporary right. The book offers a critical yet insightful perspective on the American right, challenging conventional narratives and prompting further discussion.

Dear Reader

The Unauthorized Autobiography of Kim Jong Il

Michael Malice

Atlas Shrugged

Ayn Rand

Published in 1957, 'Atlas Shrugged' is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and her longest novel. The story is set in a dystopian United States where increasingly burdensome laws and regulations strangle innovation and productivity. The plot follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they struggle against 'looters' who exploit their work. A mysterious figure named John Galt leads a strike of productive individuals, persuading them to abandon their companies and disappear. The novel culminates with Galt's three-hour radio speech explaining his philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and the importance of the human mind. The book explores themes of capitalism, property rights, and the failures of governmental coercion, presenting a provocative vision of a society in collapse and the potential for a new capitalist society based on Galt's principles.

The crowd

A Study of the Popular Mind

Gustave Le Bon

In 'The Crowd: A Study of the Popular Mind', Gustave Le Bon examines the psychology of crowds, highlighting their impulsiveness, irrationality, and susceptibility to suggestion. He argues that crowds exhibit a unique mentality distinct from that of individuals, often leading to unpredictable and extreme behaviors. The book remains a foundational work in social psychology, influencing thinkers like Sigmund Freud.

The Fountainhead

Ayn Rand

Published in 1943, 'The Fountainhead' by Ayn Rand tells the story of Howard Roark, a young and innovative architect who refuses to compromise his artistic vision despite the opposition from society. The novel explores themes of individualism, egoism, and the conflict between those who think for themselves (the 'first-handers') and those who follow the opinions of others (the 'second-handers'). It also delves into the lives of other characters such as Dominique Francon, Peter Keating, Ellsworth Toohey, and Gail Wynand, each representing different aspects of Rand's philosophical ideas. The book is a defense of egoism and individualism, presenting a radical rethinking of basic moral concepts and challenging conventional notions of selfishness and altruism[2][3][5].

The Righteous Mind

Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion

Jonathan Haidt

In this book, Jonathan Haidt draws on twenty-five years of research on moral psychology to explain why people's moral judgments are driven by intuition rather than reason. He introduces the Moral Foundations Theory, which posits that human morality is based on six foundations: care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, authority/subversion, sanctity/degradation, and liberty/oppression. Haidt argues that liberals tend to focus on the care/harm and fairness/cheating foundations, while conservatives draw on all six. The book also explores how morality binds and blinds people, leading to social cohesion but also to conflicts. Haidt aims to promote understanding and civility by highlighting the commonalities and differences in moral intuitions across political spectra.

The Machiavellians

James Burnham

James Burnham's "The Machiavellians" is a seminal work in political philosophy that analyzes the ideas of several influential thinkers, including Pareto, Mosca, and Sorel. Burnham examines their theories on power, elites, and the dynamics of political systems. The book challenges traditional notions of democracy and explores the role of elites in shaping society. Burnham's analysis offers a critical perspective on power structures and their influence on political outcomes. The book remains relevant for its insights into the enduring nature of power dynamics.

Their Eyes Were Watching God

Zora Neale Hurston

The novel follows Janie Crawford, an African-American woman, as she navigates through three marriages and her quest for love, freedom, and self-identity. Set in central and southern Florida, the story explores themes of race, gender, and identity, depicting Janie's transformation from a voiceless teenage girl to a woman who takes control of her own destiny. The narrative is marked by Janie's relationships with her husbands—Logan Killicks, Joe Starks, and Tea Cake—and her ultimate discovery of true love and independence[1][3][4].

Ostracism

Guy Winch

Revolution 1989

the fall of the Soviet empire

Victor Sebestyen

A renegade history of the United States

Thaddeus Russell

In 'A Renegade History of the United States', Thaddeus Russell presents a groundbreaking narrative that challenges traditional views of American history. He argues that it was not the elites or intellectuals who established American liberty, but rather those who lived on the fringes of society—drunkards, prostitutes, gangsters, and unassimilated immigrants. These accidental revolutionaries, through their subversive lifestyles, helped legitimize the taboo and make America the land of the free. Russell's work introduces a fascinating array of antiheroes who pioneered personal freedoms in unexamined places like saloons, brothels, and gambling halls.

Wrapped in Rainbows

Valerie Boyd

Wrapped in Rainbows is a comprehensive biography of Zora Neale Hurston, a pivotal figure in 20th-century literature. The book delves into Hurston's life, from her early years in Eatonville, Florida, to her involvement in the Harlem Renaissance and her extensive anthropological research. Valerie Boyd's work offers a nuanced portrayal of Hurston's complexities and achievements, positioning her as a literary foremother to many contemporary black women writers.

The idea of decline in Western history

Arthur Herman

The red decade

Eugene Lyons

The Red Decade by Eugene Lyons explores the impact of communism on American society during the 1930s, highlighting how policies were influenced by Moscow. The book critiques the American Communist Party's incoherent policy shifts and their alignment with Soviet interests. Lyons, who initially supported communism, later became disillusioned after experiencing its harsh realities in Russia.