Ep. #660: Michael Eric Dyson, Pamela Paul, Nellie Bowles
May 18, 2024
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Renowned author Michael Eric Dyson, journalist Pamela Paul, and tech journalist Nellie Bowles join for a lively discussion on topics like Gen Z's disinterest in political trials, a feud between rappers Drake and Kendrick Lamar, and contrasting perceptions of masculinity in political ideologies.
Americans in 2024 displayed self-absorption, algorithmic enslavement, drug use, and a focus on their chosen gods.
Both liberal and conservative Americans showed similar character traits but manifested differently, with a lack of scientific rationality evident in denying climate change and challenging traditional gender norms.
The deep political division in America normalized collaboration with foreign adversaries like Russia, while Americans clung to nostalgia and resisted living in the present moment.
Deep dives
Americans of 2024 - Historians' Viewpoint
Americans in 2024 will be seen by historians as self-absorbed, algorithmically enslaved, on drugs, and focused on worshiping their chosen gods. The historian will view both sides of Americans' partisan divides as displaying similar character traits and pathologies, just manifesting differently across liberal and conservative groups. They will observe a lack of scientific rationality, with one side denying climate change and the other challenging traditional gender norms.
Gender Dysphoria and Unscientific Beliefs
Future historians will criticize Americans for being unscientific, with one side denying mainstream scientific consensus on issues like climate change and the other embracing unorthodox views on gender and medical teachings. Medical students being taught controversial gender constructs and the dismissal of biological differences will be viewed as significant lapses in rational thought.
Conspiracy Theories and Loss of Rationality
Historians will highlight how Americans in 2024 were prone to conspiracy theories, from QAnon and Jewish space lasers on the right to P-Tape conspiracies and election fraud claims on the left. The culture of conspiracy and lack of critical thinking will be a prominent criticism of American society.
Division and Collaboration with Foreign Adversaries
The historians of the future will note how Americans' deep political division led both sides to view each other as existential threats, to the extent that collaboration with foreign adversaries like Russia became normalized. American politics transformed into a battlefield where collaboration with foreign enemies became more acceptable than working with fellow citizens.
Nostalgia and Desire to Live in the Past
The people of the future will be puzzled by Americans' common longing for the past, whether it's the desire to return to the values of the 1950s or the focus on historical injustices like those highlighted in the 1619 Project. The pervasive nostalgia and resistance to living in the present moment will be a significant observation of future historians.