Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content #433 - How Did We Get Here?
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Sep 6, 2025 
In a compelling discussion, journalist Dan Carlin explores the trajectory of America's political landscape. He delves into the increasing powers of the presidency, the fragmentation within the Republican Party, and the unsettling rise of political violence and scapegoating. Carlin highlights the challenges posed by misinformation, particularly in the age of social media, and raises concerns about historical revisionism, especially regarding the Holocaust. Their conversation offers a rich tapestry of insights into the complexities of governance and societal divisions today.
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Why Carlin Releases Few, Polished Episodes
- Dan Carlin explains his slow, meticulous release schedule for evergreen content like books.
- He argues quality matters more than frequency because long-term listeners and future audiences value excellence.
Decades Built Today's Crisis
- Dan Carlin views current US dysfunction as decades-long accumulation of systemic changes and weakened guardrails.
- He argues this long-term erosion enabled a president to exploit norms instead of laws.
Cumulative Erosion Of Executive Limits
- Carlin stresses quantity matters: many past presidents pushed limits and cumulatively changed the office.
- He warns current presidency combines prior excesses into a single, more powerful package.
