In this podcast, Jill Lepore discusses the post-truth moment and its impact on the 2024 election, evolution of polling accuracy, chaos and misinformation on election night, public vs private political discourse, lack of diverse candidates in the Democratic Party nominations, challenges of student debt forgiveness, navigating political pressures in the Republican Party, importance of civic participation, and understanding opposing ideas for a better future.
Polling data can shape voter expectations and media coverage, emphasizing the need for responsible polling practices.
Spread of election denialism post-2020 election raises concerns about misinformation and media's role in public perception.
Historical context is crucial to understanding political developments instead of sensationalizing current events as unprecedented.
Deep dives
History and Impact of Polling on Election Night Coverage
Project X delves into the history of polling and election night coverage, highlighting the increased focus on predicting election outcomes, especially after the 2016 elections. The podcast explores the consequences of relying on polling data, showcasing historic examples like the 1948 election polling mishap involving Gallup. It raises pertinent questions regarding the accuracy and impact of polling on shaping voter expectations and media coverage, emphasizing the need for responsible polling practices.
Election Denialism and Media Accountability
The episode delves into the aftermath of the 2020 election, discussing the spread of election denialism and its potential impact on future elections, notably the upcoming 2024 election cycle. It raises concerns about the persistence of baseless claims of election fraud and the role of media in shaping public perception. The podcast encourages critical analysis of news coverage and accountability for disseminating misinformation surrounding election results.
Deciphering Unprecedented Narratives in American Politics
The podcast challenges the narrative of unprecedented events in American politics, highlighting the need for a nuanced understanding of historical contexts and structural drivers of change. By critiquing the tendency to sensationalize current events as uniquely unprecedented, the episode calls for a deeper examination of historical patterns and systemic influences on political developments. It underscores the importance of contextualizing contemporary issues within broader historical frameworks to foster a more informed and insightful discourse.
Challenging Traditional Ways of Reporting News
The podcast episode discusses the challenges of modern journalism in presenting news with historical context. It questions the common practice of framing current events as unprecedented or newsworthy without considering historical parallels. The speaker emphasizes the importance of not oversimplifying the past to explain the present, highlighting the need to avoid reducing historical events to mere prologues to current situations. Additionally, the episode explores how news and polling can shape public perception and manage anxiety about change by referring to past events like the lack of civility in Congress.
Promoting Active Civic Participation
The podcast delves into the importance of fostering a democratic mindset among voters. It suggests practical steps to enhance civic engagement, such as creating a national holiday for Election Day to promote voting as a celebrated act. The episode also advocates for mandatory national service to unite people from diverse backgrounds and encourage active citizenship. Moreover, the discussion underscores the significance of local community involvement, like participating in neighborhood meetings or book clubs, to strengthen democratic values and decision-making processes.
In a special, all-new episode of ‘The Returns,’ host emerita Jill Lepore returns to talk about the post-truth moment we find ourselves in and what it means for the 2024 election.
