Jonah Goldberg, Editor-in-chief of The Dispatch and author of multiple bestsellers, dives deep into America's political state with insightful commentary. He highlights the dangers of hyperpartisanship and how Trump has reshaped the Republican Party. The conversation explores the collapse of trust in institutions and the toxic impact of social media on public dialogue. Goldberg emphasizes the rise of populism, calling for bipartisan collaboration to mend civil society. It's a thought-provoking discussion on the crossroads of politics and trust.
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Constitutional Monarchy vs. Scapegoating
Sam Harris discusses the value of a constitutional monarchy, exemplified by Queen Elizabeth II.
He contrasts the monarch's role with the concept of a scapegoat, highlighting the queen's embodiment of virtues like discipline and self-restraint.
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Professor's Tweet Controversy
A Carnegie Mellon professor's tweet about Queen Elizabeth II's death sparked controversy on social media.
Harris uses this incident to critique the dynamics of online outrage and the tendency to dehumanize opponents.
insights INSIGHT
Social Media and Mob Mentality
Harris argues that social media fosters a mob mentality that hinders productive discourse.
He expresses concern about the feedback loop between online distortions and real-world cynicism and distrust.
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In 'Politics and the English Language', George Orwell argues that vague and imprecise language can obscure truth and manipulate public opinion. He critiques the 'ugly and inaccurate' written English of his time, particularly in political contexts, where language is used to 'make lies sound truthful and murder respectable'. Orwell emphasizes the importance of clear and concrete language, suggesting that poor writing fosters poor political thinking and is a danger to society. He provides examples of bad writing and offers guidelines for effective writing, including six rules to avoid the misuse of language. Orwell believes that language and thought are interdependent and that improving language can help improve political life[1][3][5].
A Time to Build
From Family and Community to Congress and the Campus, How Recommitting to Our Institutions Can Revive the American Dream
Yuval Levin
In *A Time to Build*, Yuval Levin argues that the social crisis in America is not due to oppressive institutions but rather a lack of trust in them. He advocates for rebuilding and strengthening institutions like families, schools, and churches to foster unity and social cohesion. Levin emphasizes the importance of these institutions in shaping individuals and society, providing a framework for moral improvement and civic engagement.
Sam Harris speaks with Jonah Goldberg about the state of American politics and civil society. They discuss the hyperpartisanship of the Left and Right, what Trump has done to the Republican party, the breakdown of trust in institutions, the “new catastrophism” enabled by social media, the problem of populism, and other topics.
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