The Gray Area with Sean Illing

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Your questions, answered

Jun 25, 2020

Guest

Roge Karma

Roge Karma, a researcher and guest host from The Ezra Klein Show, dives into audience questions covering a range of timely topics. They discuss the political realities if Joe Biden were to take office, addressing the generational divide in today's political landscape. Karma critiques recent discussions on polarization while offering insights into effective information consumption as elections approach. They also share reflections on reading habits and the beauty found in various religious beliefs, answering lighter questions about parenting and favorite podcasts along the way.

01:23:53

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insights

INSIGHT

Current State of the World

Ezra Klein believes we're living in extraordinary times, surpassing even 9/11 in societal impact.
He's concerned about economic pain, social anxiety, and the unknown long-term effects of the pandemic.

insights

INSIGHT

Utopian Thinking

Despite the grim present, Ezra Klein has increased his focus on utopian thinking.
This shift stems from a desire to explore unconventional ideas and be open to ideological change.

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ADVICE

2021 Legislative Priorities

If Democrats win the 2021 election, Ezra Klein advises them to prioritize democracy reform first.
This includes making voting more accessible and reforming Congress to enable effective policymaking.

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Navigating Today's Challenges

01:30 • 18min

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Navigating Political Polarization

19:59 • 15min

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Analyzing Election Insights and Information Consumption

35:21 • 3min

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Reading Reflections and Podcast Insights

Insights and Reflections: A Lightning Round

01:00:49 • 20min

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The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay

Michael Chabon

The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay follows the lives of two Jewish cousins, Joe Kavalier and Sammy Clay, before, during, and after World War II. Joe, an artist and escape artist, escapes Nazi-occupied Czechoslovakia and joins his cousin Sammy in New York City. Together, they create the popular comic book character the Escapist, an anti-fascist superhero. The novel explores themes of magic, manhood, superheroes, and growing up Jewish in America during the 1930s and 1940s, delving into their creative and personal lives amidst the backdrop of war and social change.

Beyond Ideology

Frances E. Lee

What It Takes

The Way to the White House

Richard Ben Cramer

In this comprehensive and engaging book, Richard Ben Cramer provides an in-depth analysis of the 1988 U.S. presidential election. The book delves into the lives and campaigns of the major candidates, including George H.W. Bush, Michael Dukakis, Joe Biden, Gary Hart, and others. Cramer's narrative explores the personal and political aspects of each candidate, offering a rich and nuanced understanding of what it takes to run for the highest office in the United States.

The grapes of wrath

John Steinbeck

Published in 1939, 'The Grapes of Wrath' is a powerful and poignant novel by John Steinbeck. It tells the story of the Joad family, Oklahoma tenant farmers who are forced to leave their home after the devastating effects of the Dust Bowl and the Great Depression. The novel follows their arduous journey along Route 66 to California, where they face numerous hardships, including poverty, exploitation, and the loss of family members. The book explores themes of family, survival, and the struggle for human dignity in the face of overwhelming adversity. It also delves into the broader social and economic issues of the time, highlighting the conflict between the powerful and the powerless. Steinbeck's work is known for its vivid portrayal of the human condition and its impact on American literature and society.

The City We Became

Nora Keita Jemisin

In *The City We Became*, N.K. Jemisin crafts a world where major cities become sentient through human avatars. The story follows five avatars representing New York City's boroughs as they unite to combat an otherworldly enemy threatening their city. The novel explores themes of gentrification, racism, and community unity, set against a backdrop of surreal and fantastical events.

How to Change

The Science of Getting from Where You Are to Where You Want to Be

Katy Milkman

In this ground-breaking book, Katy Milkman reveals a proven path to help readers move from where they are to where they want to be. Drawing on her original research and the work of her world-renowned scientific collaborators, Milkman shares strategic methods for identifying and overcoming common barriers to change, such as impulsivity, procrastination, and forgetfulness. The book offers innovative approaches like 'temptation bundling,' using timely reminders, and creating 'set-it-and-forget-it systems' to make change more achievable. It emphasizes the importance of tailoring solutions to specific roadblocks and using science to stack the deck in favor of successful change.

In 'Why We're Polarized,' Ezra Klein argues that America’s political system is polarizing due to the merging of partisan identities with racial, religious, geographic, ideological, and cultural identities. The book explores how these merged identities have led to a dysfunctional political system and traces the feedback loops between polarized political identities and institutions. Klein also discusses the role of media and psychological factors in exacerbating polarization, providing a comprehensive analysis of the current state of American politics.

Believe it or not, we’re already halfway through 2020. What a great year so far, huh? Just a delight. That means it’s time for an AMA. Among the questions you asked:

If Joe Biden is elected president, what should his administration's first legislative priority be?

What were the best critiques of Why We’re Polarized?

How much of today's political conflict comes down to the Boomer/Millennial divide?

What’s your reading process?

What does preparation for EK Show episodes look like?

If you were only intellectually accountable to beauty and not truth, what religion would you choose?

What’s your favorite non-Vox podcast?

What’s your biggest takeaway from year 1 of being a dad?

East coast or west coast?

What are the episodes that you have the most fun doing?

What’s an important identity of yours that doesn’t usually come out on the show?

Roge Karma joins me for this one.

References:

"In praise of polarization" by Ezra Klein

"Imagining the nonviolent state" by Ezra Klein

Ezra's book recommendations:

The Grapes of Wrath by John Steinbeck

Beyond Ideology by Francis Lee

What It Takes by Richard Ben Cramer

Most fun EK Shows:

I build a world with fantasy master N.K. Jemisin

The art of attention, with Jenny Odell

Tracy K. Smith changed how I read poetry

How Hasan Minhaj is reinventing political comedy

Want to contact the show? Reach out at ezrakleinshow@vox.com

Please consider making a contribution to Vox to support this show: bit.ly/givepodcasts Your support will help us keep having ambitious conversations about big ideas.

New to the show? Want to check out Ezra’s favorite episodes? Check out the Ezra Klein Show beginner’s guide (http://bit.ly/EKSbeginhere)

Credits:

Producer/Editer/Audio Wizard - Jeff Geld

Researcher/Guest host - Roge Karma

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