Nellie Bowles on How the Revolution Went Mainstream
May 18, 2024
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Writer and reporter Nellie Bowles discusses her time at The New York Times, power hierarchies in media, and transformative ideas in 2020. They explore ideological conformity in newsrooms, evolution of ideologies, challenges in autonomous zones, impact of protests on law enforcement, and San Francisco's embrace of anarchy. The conversation tackles white supremacy traits, the evolution of anti-racism movements, and ends with a gratitude exchange.
Power dynamics within media led to small groups wielding outsized influence.
Journalistic integrity faces challenges amid activism's influence on reporting.
Shift in activism towards internal introspection impacts addressing systemic injustices.
Deep dives
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The Consequences of Religious Bullying and Censorship at Batley Grammar School
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Challenges Faced by Journalists in the Current Media Landscape
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Shift in Activism towards Internal Therapeutic Work
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Influence of Anarchist Values in American Movements
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In this week’s conversation, Yascha Mounk and Nellie Bowles discuss how she came to chafe against the institutional culture of The New York Times and why she left; how new power hierarchies arose within media and institutions where small groups came to wield outsized power; and how the transformative ideas about power and society that became dominant in 2020 continue to hold great influence.