GoodFellows: Conversations from the Hoover Institution

OK Boomers: Victor Davis Hanson, Pagers, Zelenskyy, and the Fellows “Talkin’ ‘Bout Their Generation” | GoodFellows | Hoover Institution

Sep 25, 2024

Victor Davis Hanson, a military historian at the Hoover Institution, joins regulars John Cochrane and H.R. McMaster for a lively discussion. They debate Israel's unconventional military tactics against Hezbollah, weighing national security against international law. The trio also reflects on Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's visit amidst U.S. elections and its political implications. Lastly, they delve into the legacy of the Baby Boomer generation, arguing over which entertainers merit statues alongside Johnny Cash in the Capitol.

01:07:44

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Episode guests

Victor Davis Hanson

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Quick takeaways

The podcast critiques the baby boomer generation for their perceived self-righteousness and disconnect from the struggles of younger generations.

It examines Israel's controversial military tactics against Hezbollah, arguing that innovative strategies reveal enemy positions while minimizing collateral damage.

The discussion highlights Ukraine's precarious political and military situation, especially regarding its president's strategic engagement with U.S. election dynamics.

Deep dives

Critique of Baby Boomers' Legacy

The discussion highlights a critical view of the baby boomer generation, suggesting they have exploited their privileges and created cultural challenges for younger generations. The boomers, who indulged in a lifestyle of excess during their youth, are now perceived as self-righteous and rigid in their beliefs, imposing hardships on those following them. Their failure to appreciate the struggles of previous generations, specifically the Greatest Generation, is emphasized, showcasing a lack of empathy and understanding. This generational criticism points to a continuing cycle of conflict between political and cultural values, and a shift away from shared societal norms.

Embrace Complexity and Lifelong Learning

01:24

A Gracious Acknowledgment Can Open Doors

01:34

Generational Shifts in Parenting and Life Choices

01:21

Intro

2min

Election Impact and Middle Eastern Conflicts

17min

Navigating Campus Protests and Geopolitical Challenges

5min

Zelensky's Strategic Visit Amid U.S. Elections

11min

Generational Reflections: Boomers and Beyond

22min

Exploring the Disconnect Between Interest Rates and Inflation

1min

Cultural Icons and Their Place in the Capitol

3min

Literary Journeys into Retirement

7min

Hot-wiring pagers and walkie-talkies to take out Hezbollah operatives: Was Israel’s tactic—like something from an Ian Fleming novel—a justifiable act of national security or a violation of international law?

Victor Davis Hanson, the Hoover Institution’s Martin and Illie Anderson Senior Fellow and a military historian and classicist, joins GoodFellows regulars John Cochrane and H.R. McMaster to discuss the latest in the Middle East, as well as whether it was wise for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy to tour a munitions factory in the battleground state of Pennsylvania on the verge of America’s national election. Next, the three Baby Boomer panelists reflect on their generation’s legacy, plus which singer deserves a statue in the US Capitol alongside country music legend Johnny Cash.

Recorded on September 24, 2024.

RELATED RESOURCES:

The Secret History of the Shadow Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election by Molly Ball
The Second World Wars: How the First Global Conflict Was Fought and Won by Victor Davis Hanson
The Year That Broke Politics: Collusion and Chaos in the Presidential Election of 1968 by Luke A. Nichter
Basic Economics by Thomas Sowell
Free to Choose: A Personal Statement by Milton Friedman and Rose Friedman
With the Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa by E. B. Sledge
Memoirs of General William Tecumseh Sherman by William Tecumseth Sherman

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