Robert Wright's Nonzero Tucker Carlson, Nick Fuentes, and the Gatekeeper Question (Robert Wright & Paul Bloom)
Nov 5, 2025
In this conversation, Paul Bloom, a Canadian psychologist and expert on moral psychology, discusses the controversial Tucker Carlson-Nick Fuentes interview. The pair delve into whether gatekeeping in media is a relic of the past. They explore the implications of Carlson's influence and the unsettling rise of extremist views in conservative circles. Bloom argues against amplifying extremist voices, and they analyze the shifting identity of the Republican Party, connecting modern populism to historical figures like William F. Buckley.
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Gates Are Weaker In The Digital Age
- The Fuentes appearance raises the question whether traditional media 'gates' still matter in the internet era.
- Robert Wright argues digital platforms make excluding extremists harder, blurring gatekeeper power.
High-Reach Platforms Have Moral Responsibility
- Paul Bloom supports gatekeeping in media reach, saying high-reach platforms shouldn't give soft interviews to extremists.
- He frames gatekeeping as a moral editorial choice distinct from censorship.
RNC Riff Showed Carlson's Gifts
- Paul Bloom recalls Tucker Carlson's RNC speech to illustrate Carlson's rhetorical gifts and mass appeal.
- He describes Carlson as faster, funnier, and more spontaneous than other speakers at the convention.
