The Revolt of the Public: Exploring a Digital Tsunami

In this podcast episode, Roger Berkowitz interviews Martin Gurri, author of the book 'The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium.' Gurri explains how the digital revolution has led to a tsunami of information, resulting in an erosion of authority. He highlights the dramatic shift from a narrow public sphere dominated by elites to a more diverse and complex public. Gurri emphasizes the mutual incomprehension between the public and the elites, with both sides viewing each other with disdain. He also discusses the danger of nihilism, where the public turns to destructive behavior without a positive alternative. Despite the crisis of authority, Gurri believes that authority can be restored through greater alignment between elites and the public, as well as decentralization of power at the local level.