Plain English with Derek Thompson

PE Greatest Hits: Thompson and Klosterman Debate Why Society Got So Negative

Dec 27, 2022

Chuck Klosterman, an author renowned for his sharp cultural insights, joins for a lively discussion on why negativity pervades modern society. They explore the evolution of celebrity culture, where disdain now often overshadows admiration, driven by the internet's relentless scrutiny. Klosterman emphasizes how digital media shifts perceptions, fostering a culture where notoriety is prized over traditional success. They also dive into the impact of postmodernism on discourse, revealing how media shapes our reality, reflecting the disconnection between individual well-being and collective negativity.

51:51

Episode guests

Chuck Klosterman

Highlights

AI Chapters

Episode notes

The Power of Social Media in Protest

01:11

The Changing Relationship Between Opinion and Publicity

01:25

The Ring Remo May Show

01:31

Intro

4min

The Shift Towards Negativity in Celebrity Culture

15min

The Shift from Fame to Familiarity: Exploring Negativity in Society

4min

The Impact of Postmodernism on Contemporary Discourse

2min

Perception and Reality: Media's Influence on Public Figures

4min

From Monoculture to Negativity: Media's Evolution

21min

This has been an amazing year for the show, and I’m so grateful for everybody who has listened. I’m off the last two weeks of the year but I wanted to keep something in your feed over the holidays, so this week I’m reboosting one of our most popular episodes of the year. Maybe you listened and want to listen again. Maybe you missed this one, and want to check it out. Or you’re looking at this feed for the first time and trying to figure out whether this is your kind of show. I think these episodes offer a great snapshot of what we try to do here on 'Plain English.' Range widely across topics. Synthesize complicated ideas. Frame breaking news and big ideas in ways that you’ll remember when the show is over. And do it all relatively quickly. No BS. No filler. An espresso shot of news analysis.

In today’s episode, I talk with the author Chuck Klosterman about why society has gotten so negative, ranging from TV and film to politics and social media. Maybe the most wide-ranging conversation of the year and, in terms of online reception, probably the single episode that I got the most positive feedback from … Ironically. I hope you enjoy! Happy holidays, and if you feel like giving this show a small gift, head to Spotify or Apple Podcasts and leave a five-star rating and review. It goes a long way. See you in the new year!

Host: Derek Thompson

Guest: Chuck Klosterman

Producer: Devon Manze

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