The Gray Area with Sean Illing

Michael Lewis on why Americans distrust experts

Apr 18, 2022

Michael Lewis, best-selling author known for insightful works like "Moneyball," dives into America's expert problem. He discusses why we struggle to recognize and trust genuine expertise, linking this issue to recent crises, including the pandemic. Lewis highlights the undervaluation of experts in various fields, from medicine to analytics, and examines the erosion of trust in institutions. He also explores potential pathways for rebuilding this trust and valuing diverse perspectives, pushing for greater appreciation of overlooked expertise in society.

58:12

Episode guests

Michael Lewis

AI Chapters

Episode notes

Intro

2min

Trusting the Unseen Experts

23min

Navigating Sensory Sensitivities

6min

Trust Erosion: Experts in Crisis

16min

Restoring Trust in Authority and Institutions

2min

Rebuilding Trust in Institutions

8min

Exploring Trust and Expertise in Contemporary Society

2min

Sean Illing talks with writer Michael Lewis about why it is that Americans are so good at producing knowledge, but so bad at identifying and utilizing that knowledge — the central issue of the new season of his podcast "Against the Rules." They discuss who counts as an expert, some fundamental impediments to disseminating knowledge, and whether or not there is a possible future where Americans regain their trust in experts, institutions, and each other.

Host: Sean Illing (@seanilling), Interviews Writer, Vox

Guest: Michael Lewis, author

References:

Against the Rules with Michael Lewis podcast (Pushkin)
The Premonition: A Pandemic Story by Michael Lewis (W.W. Norton; 2021 - paperback; 2022)
The Fifth Risk by Michael Lewis (W.W. Norton; 2018)
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Authority in the New Millennium by Martin Gurri (Stripe; 2014)

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This episode was made by:

Producer: Erikk Geannikis
Editor: Amy Drozdowska
Engineer: Paul Robert Mounsey
Deputy Editorial Director, Vox Talk: Amber Hall

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