Bret Stephens, a New York Times columnist and author of "America in Retreat," joins to discuss the Republican Party's tumultuous landscape. They dive into shifting attitudes towards Putin, the controversies surrounding Tucker Carlson, and the implications of the Hunter Biden laptop narrative. They also analyze the party's future in light of Trump’s influence and upcoming elections. Additionally, they explore the complicated relationship between misinformation, media ethics, and free speech, painting a vivid picture of modern conservatism's challenges.
The controversy surrounding the Hunter Biden laptop highlighted the challenges of navigating misinformation, social media algorithms, and the desire for journalistic integrity.
Effective communication by experts and institutions is essential to maintain public trust, requiring a balance between different voices and viewpoints.
The Republican Party has shifted towards truculent nationalism, reversing traditional conservative internationalist values and aligning with figures like Tucker Carlson and Vladimir Putin.
Deep dives
The Hunter Biden laptop controversy
The controversy surrounding the Hunter Biden laptop created a difficult journalistic dilemma about whether to report on it 10 days before the election. Some argued for withholding the information due to concerns of potentially tipping the scales and potential Russian disinformation. Others believed that it was a legitimate story that deserved coverage. The decision to ban the New York Post's account on Twitter for sharing articles about the laptop also raised concerns about heavy-handed censorship. The handling of the laptop controversy highlights the challenges of navigating the landscape of misinformation, social media algorithms, and the desire to maintain journalistic integrity.
The role of experts and institutions
The failure of experts and institutions to effectively communicate during the COVID-19 pandemic and other crises has led to widespread distrust. The arrogance and lack of humility displayed by some experts have eroded public confidence in their expertise. Additionally, attempts to suppress or deplatform dissenting voices have often backfired, contributing to a further erosion of trust. A healthy information ecosystem requires a balance between different voices and viewpoints, allowing for the recognition and understanding of both truth and falsehood. The need for trade-offs and the recognition of competing interests is crucial when considering complex issues such as public health and climate change.
The state of the Republican Party
There has been a notable shift within the Republican Party in recent years. The party has moved towards a form of truculent nationalism, reverting back to its pre-World War II isolationist stance. The influence of figures like Tucker Carlson and the appeal of models like Vladimir Putin have contributed to this shift. The Republican Party's attitude towards topics such as Putin, America's influence abroad, and Ukraine have seemingly swapped positions with the Democrats. These changes have led to a sense of weirdness and a departure from traditional conservative internationalist values.
The situation in Ukraine
The situation in Ukraine remains volatile and complex. The Ukrainian people are determined to defend their country and regain the territories that were seized by Russia. The prospects of winning the war against Russian aggression are uncertain, as the conflict has defied many expectations. The war in Ukraine has highlighted the failure of traditional military expertise and geopolitics, as experts' predictions have often proven wrong. The geopolitical and moral case for supporting Ukraine involves defending a victimized state against an authoritarian bully, upholding international norms, and deterring future aggression by autocratic regimes.
The challenge of navigating misinformation
The rise of misinformation and the challenges it poses to society have become increasingly apparent. Efforts to combat misinformation often fail to address the root causes or have unintended consequences. Censorship or deplatforming can sometimes amplify voices and contribute to a perception of bias. Furthermore, the algorithmic amplification of misinformation on social media poses a unique challenge. A balance must be struck between addressing misinformation and ensuring the free exchange of ideas and information. The trust and credibility of experts and institutions are key to effectively navigating the complex information landscape.
Sam Harris speaks with Bret Stephens about the current state of the Republican Party. They discuss the strange change in Republican attitudes toward Putin, the character of Tucker Carlson, the war in Ukraine, the failures of elites and experts, the tension between concerns about misinformation and free speech, the Hunter Biden laptop, the 2024 Presidential election, how Trump captured the Republican Party, the criminal charges against Trump, the future of conservatism, and other topics.
If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe.
Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
