Philosopher Susan Neiman and cultural critic Thomas Chatterton Williams discuss the dangerous consequences of conflating 'wokeism' with the Left, exploring topics such as the definition of wokeness, cultural appropriation, lack of optimism, the influence of Michel Foucault, critiquing liberal powers, and the complexities of being 'woke'.
The woke movement is characterized by tribalism, while the liberal left embraces universalism and values a distinct conception of justice separate from power.
Intellectuals like Michel Foucault, Martin Heidegger, and Carl Schmitt have influenced the development of woke ideology, with postcolonial theory and realist politics playing a role in shaping the movement.
Deep dives
Discussion on the rise and fall of Sam Bankman Fried
The podcast episode features a conversation with Michael Lewis, where they discuss his most anticipated work, 'Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon'. Lewis had unprecedented access to Sam Bankman Fried, the world's youngest billionaire, who experienced a catastrophic financial meltdown. The podcast delves into Bankman Fried's unusual personality, his outstanding ability to make money, and the factors that led to the spectacular collapse of his empire.
Defining woke and its contrast with the liberal left
The episode explores the term 'woke' and its significance within the context of left-leaning ideology. They discuss how the woke movement is often characterized by tribalism, whereas the liberal left embraces universalism. Additionally, the liberal left values a distinct conception of justice separate from power, while the woke movement often challenges the notion of progress and believes that little to no progress has been made. The conversation highlights the importance of understanding the differences between these two ideologies.
Influence of theorists and historical events on the development of woke ideology
The podcast delves into the influence of intellectuals like Michel Foucault, Martin Heidegger, and Carl Schmitt on the development of woke ideology. Foucault's ideas are commonly cited in postcolonial theory, while Heidegger and Schmitt's concepts have influenced realist politics with a focus on power dynamics. The conversation also touches on the impact of historical events, such as the collapse of state socialism in 1991 and the shock of the 2016 US presidential election, which contributed to a sense of skepticism, lack of optimism, and a turn towards tribalist projects within the left.
Philosopher Susan Neiman and cultural critic Thomas Chatterton Williams take part in a challenging conversation on the themes of Neiman’s new book Left is Not Woke. The book sets out what Neiman sees as the dangerous consequences of conflating ‘wokeism’ with the Left, arguing that this confusion threatens the core principles that have guided progressive movements for centuries.
We’d love to hear your feedback and what you think we should talk about next, who we should have on and what our future debates should be.
Send us an email or voice note with your thoughts to podcasts@intelligencesquared.com or Tweet us @intelligence2.
And if you’d like to support our mission to foster honest debate and compelling conversations, as well as ad-free podcasts, exclusive bonus content, early access and much more, become a supporter of Intelligence Squared.
Just visit intelligencesquared.com/membership to find out more.