Novara Media Downstream: Philosophy’s Biggest Pessimist w/ John Gray
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Oct 23, 2023 
John Gray, philosopher and author known for exploring ideas on political philosophy, discusses his central thesis that growth and progress are not inevitable. He talks about the revival of feudalism, religious orthodoxy, and ultra-nationalism in the West. They also touch on the impact of science fiction on society, the connection between illegal migration and Western intervention in Libya, the divergence in political sympathies in the US, the relevance of the Supreme Court in the UK, and the rise of inequality and marginalization.
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Globalization's Limits
- Globalization and liberal market capitalism were not inevitable.
- Gray predicted this in his book False Dawn, facing negative reviews.
Post-Cold War Optimism
- Post-Cold War, the prevailing belief was in the inevitable triumph of liberal market capitalism.
- This belief blinded many to other historical possibilities.
Science Fiction as Lens
- Science fiction, like Dune, can offer insights into present realities.
- Dune's neo-feudal setting challenges linear historical narratives.