In a thought-provoking discussion, Christine Rosen, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and author of 'The Extinction of Experience,' explores how technology reshapes our culture. She highlights the decline of traditional practices like handwriting and the ramifications of social media on public discourse. The conversation also touches on conspiracy thinking and its effects on politics, the moral obligations of think tanks in protecting dissenting voices, and the unsettling implications of a potential second Trump term, urging a reevaluation of technology's human impact.
Christine Rosen emphasizes the negative impact of technology on human interaction, urging a return to humanistic values in our cultural practices.
The decline of handwriting education highlights broader concerns about cognitive development and the potential erosion of essential communication skills.
The podcast addresses the rise of anti-Semitism in political discourse, stressing the need for critical engagement to combat extremist ideologies effectively.
Deep dives
Concerns Over Trump's Cabinet Appointments
Trump's early cabinet appointments raise significant concerns, with figures like Pete Hegseth, Tulsi Gabbard, Matt Gaetz, and Robert Kennedy Jr. drawing particular scrutiny. The appointments spark debates around their legitimacy, with some viewing them as part of a broader agenda rather than serious selections for office. The unpredictability of these choices, including whether they will survive confirmation processes, reflects a chaotic political landscape. Observers express hope for competent leaders but remain wary of potential nominees who may not align with traditional qualifications.
Impact of Technology on Human Experience
The discussion highlights the adverse impact of modern technology on human interaction and experience, particularly through constant mediation of relationships via screens. Christine Rosen argues for a renewed emphasis on humanism, urging society to reconsider how technology alters personal interactions and cultural practices. This shift has led to a diminished ability to engage meaningfully with one another, ultimately detracting from essential human skills. The loss of practices like handwriting serves as an example of what is forfeited in pursuit of efficiency and technological advancement.
Diminishing Handwriting and Cognitive Skills
The failure to teach cursive writing to children exemplifies a broader concern regarding the erosion of traditional learning methods and their implications for cognitive development. Rosen points out that handwriting influences memory, recall, and the overall learning process, leading to a more profound understanding of content. The lack of emphasis on this skill risks losing important aspects of self-expression and historical continuity. The conversation underlines the need for thoughtful consideration of educational priorities to prevent the neglect of foundational skills.
The Role of Social Media in Politics
Social media emerges as a central topic in discussing how digital platforms influence political discourse and public trust. The ease of mediating experiences and sharing information online often leads to the spread of misinformation and conspiracy theories, creating an increasingly divided public. The conversation suggests that many individuals prefer echo chambers, which reinforce existing beliefs rather than promote critical thinking. This digital environment complicates efforts to address complex social issues, as it hampers authentic dialogue and shared understanding among diverse perspectives.
Anti-Semitism in Modern Politics
The rise of anti-Semitism on both ends of the political spectrum is scrutinized, with particular emphasis on how mainstream discourse can lend legitimacy to extremist ideologies. The discussion illustrates how anti-Semitic sentiments have found platforms through influential media figures, raising alarms about their broader social implications. The connection between historical narratives and contemporary political actions reveals the potential dangers of unchallenged rhetoric. The need for a nuanced understanding of these issues is presented as crucial for combating rising intolerance and fostering a more inclusive dialogue.
Sam Harris speaks with Christine Rosen about how technology is changing our culture. They discuss the courage of Ayaan Hirsi Ali, lost practices like handwriting, tradeoffs in our use of technology, social media, conspiracy thinking, X as a platform for breaking news, the future of journalism, the importance of local news, the asymmetry right and left politically, the strange case of Tucker Carlson, the antisemitic hallucinations of Dan Bilzerian, expectations for a second Trump presidency, antisemitism in America, and other topics.
Christine Rosen is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a columnist for Commentary magazine, and a fellow at the University of Virginia’s Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture. She is the author of several books, and her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, the New York Post, Politico, The Washington Post, National Review, and MIT Technology Review, among other outlets. Rosen has a PhD in history from Emory University and a BA in history from the University of South Florida. She also teaches martial arts and holds a third-degree black belt in aikido. Her most recent book is The Extinction of Experience: Being Human in a Disembodied World.
Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.
Get the Snipd podcast app
Unlock the knowledge in podcasts with the podcast player of the future.
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode
Save any moment
Hear something you like? Tap your headphones to save it with AI-generated key takeaways
Share & Export
Send highlights to Twitter, WhatsApp or export them to Notion, Readwise & more
AI-powered podcast player
Listen to all your favourite podcasts with AI-powered features
Discover highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode