Economist Podcasts Woke croaks: “peak woke” has passed
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Sep 27, 2024 
Ainslie Johnstone, a data journalist at The Economist, and Sacha Nauta, the social affairs editor, explore the intriguing phenomenon of 'peak woke.' They discuss how wokeness, which thrived from 2015 to 2021, is now in decline, influenced by shifting public sentiment and backlash against radical ideas. The guests delve into generational perceptions of wokeness, its implications for institutional diversity, and its impact on the upcoming 2024 election. They also touch on the rise of the anti-woke movement and the evolving political messaging within the Democratic Party.
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Woke Cafe Misunderstanding
- Carmen Quiroga opened Woke Breakfast and Coffee in Coventry, Connecticut.
- She faced backlash from conservatives who misunderstood the name's meaning.
Peak Woke
- Wokeness, characterized by pessimism about American progress, especially racial progress, peaked in 2021-22.
- The Economist's analysis shows a decline in wokeness influence since then.
Measuring Woke Public Opinion
- Public opinion on woke topics, like racial injustice and trans rights, peaked around 2021-2022 before declining.
- Ainsley Johnston explains how this was measured using long-run surveys from Pew, Gallup, and other sources.