It Could Happen Here It Could Happen Here Weekly 191
Jul 19, 2025
In this discussion, Giorgene Jermey, a human rights journalist focused on Kurdistan, and Vladimir van Wilgenburg, who reports on regional politics, dive into pressing issues surrounding Kurdish struggles and Iranian ethnic minorities. They shed light on the humanitarian challenges faced by the Kurdish population amidst ongoing conflicts and highlight the significance of activism in promoting awareness about their rights. Additionally, they explore the political dynamics of proposed disarmament and the complexities of seeking peace in a politically fractured landscape.
03:13:30
Most People Are Decent
- Rutger Bregman's book argues most people are decent, contradicting the 'civilization as thin veneer' view.
- Human nature is flexible and shaped by social and historical contexts, not inherently savage or sinful.
Disaster Brings Out Empathy
- During disasters like Hurricane Katrina and the 9/11 attacks, people showed empathy and cooperation over violence.
- Community members acted first to help, contradicting apocalyptic fiction's depiction of human savagery.
Belief Shapes Behavior
- Belief in human cruelty can create a self-fulfilling prophecy, reinforcing distrust and punishment systems.
- Treating people as inherently good can nurture cooperation and reduce harm in society.
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Intro
00:00 • 3min
Exploring Human Nature and Societal Narratives
02:40 • 25min
The Complex Nature of News Consumption
27:15 • 4min
The Duality of Human Nature
31:44 • 15min
Ordinary Evil and Social Dynamics
47:10 • 10min
Innovative Furniture Solutions and Smart Parenting Tips
57:18 • 3min
Struggles of Ethnic Minorities in Iran
01:00:34 • 24min
Ethnic Tapestry of Iranian Opposition
01:24:45 • 10min
Kurdish Struggles Amidst Regional Conflicts
01:34:16 • 17min
Highlighting Kurdistani Activism and Human Rights
01:51:00 • 5min
Symbolic Disarmament and Political Dynamics
01:55:43 • 8min
Navigating the Complexities of Peace in Kurdish Politics
02:03:53 • 4min
Syria's Tensions and Geopolitical Dynamics
02:07:23 • 20min
Insights into the Evolving Situations in Kurdistan and Syria
02:27:32 • 5min
Epstein, Trump, and Political Confusion
02:32:22 • 12min
Echoes of Controversy: Epstein and Political Narratives
02:44:25 • 8min
Controversy and Consequences: The Rise of Anti-Semitism in Politics
02:52:12 • 4min
Immigration Policy and Economic Insights
02:56:26 • 18min
Economic Data Integrity and Legal Battles: A Political Update
03:14:06 • 3min
The Dark Normalization of Extremism
03:17:08 • 9min
Privacy, Fundraisers, and Food Culture
03:25:41 • 5min
Humankind
A Hopeful History
Rutger Bregman
Humankind: A Hopeful History challenges the idea that humans are inherently selfish by presenting evidence of our altruistic behavior throughout history.
The book takes a multi-disciplinary approach, drawing from history, economics, psychology, biology, anthropology, and archaeology to argue that humans are more peaceful and friendly than commonly believed.
Bregman sides with Jean-Jacques Rousseau's view of human nature in the state of nature debate, opposing Thomas Hobbes' more pessimistic outlook.
He also discusses the concept of 'domestication syndrome' and how humans may have self-domesticated, leading to a more cooperative and empathetic species.
Lord of the Flies
William Golding
In 'Lord of the Flies', William Golding tells the story of a group of British schoolboys who are stranded on a deserted island after their plane crashes.
The novel follows their attempts to govern themselves and the gradual descent into chaos and savagery.
The story is an allegory that explores themes of human nature, morality, leadership, and the fragility of civilization.
Key characters include Ralph, who represents order and democracy; Jack, who symbolizes power and violence; and Piggy, the voice of reason.
The novel highlights the tension between the desire for civilization and the primal savagery that lies beneath the surface of human society.
Cultish
The Language of Fanaticism
Amanda Montell
In 'Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism,' Amanda Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes in cults and cult-like groups lies in the use of language.
The book delves into the verbal elements that make these communities 'cultish,' including the redefinition of words, euphemisms, and other linguistic tricks.
Montell analyzes various groups such as Jonestown, Scientology, NXIVM, and even modern entities like SoulCycle and social media influencers, highlighting how these groups use language to create a sense of belonging and loyalty.
The book is praised for its engaging narrative, original research, and incisive analysis of the power of language in shaping human behavior.
Discourse on the Origin and Basis of Inequality among Men
Jean-Jacques Rousseau
Cole, George
In this discourse, Rousseau critiques modern society by tracing the psychological and political effects of civilization on human nature.
He distinguishes between natural inequality, which arises from personal attributes like health and strength, and moral or political inequality, which stems from social conventions.
Rousseau uses a hypothetical history to describe humanity's evolution from a state of nature to complex societies, highlighting how the development of property and social structures led to increased inequality.
He argues that these inequalities are not justified by natural law but are instead the result of human conventions and the emergence of civil society.
Humans
Humans
null
Jack Posobiec
A paradise built in hell
the extraordinary communities and strange joys that arise in disasters
Emily Beresford
Rebecca Solnit
David Muñoz Mateos
In 'A Paradise Built in Hell', Rebecca Solnit examines how people respond to disasters and crises, often forming strong, resilient communities.
The book delves into the human capacity for cooperation, altruism, and mutual aid during times of catastrophe, challenging the common narrative that disasters bring out the worst in people.
Solnit draws on historical examples such as the 1906 San Francisco earthquake, the 1985 Mexico City earthquake, and Hurricane Katrina to illustrate these phenomena.
LEVIATHAN
Thomas Hobbes
Published in 1651, 'Leviathan' by Thomas Hobbes is a comprehensive treatise on political philosophy.
The book is divided into four main parts: 'Of Man,' 'Of Commonwealth,' 'Of a Christian Commonwealth,' and 'Of the Kingdom of Darkness.
' Hobbes argues that the natural state of humans is one of conflict and anarchy, and that the best way to achieve peace and security is through the establishment of a commonwealth governed by an absolute sovereign.
This sovereign, which Hobbes terms the 'Leviathan,' has supreme authority over all aspects of governance, including law, religion, and public offices.
Hobbes' work is a foundational text in social contract theory and continues to influence political thought to this day.
All of this week's episodes of It Could Happen Here put together in one large file.
- Humanity, the Good feat. Andrew
- Humanity, the Bad feat. Andrew
- What Bombing Means for Freedom In Iran
- What Does the PKK's Disarmament Mean
- Executive Disorder: White House Weekly #25
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Sources/Links:
Humanity, the Good & the Bad, feat. Andrew
Humankind by Rutger Bregman
A Paradise Built In Hell by Rebecca Solnit
What Bombing Means for Freedom In Iran
https://www.instagram.com/kurdistanipeopleii
Executive Disorder: White House Weekly #25
https://www.gofundme.com/f/urgent-help-for-bukets-asylum-case
https://x.com/WIRED/status/1945207066634657854
https://x.com/jeremyphoward/status/1943444549696917714
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c628d9mre3go
https://strangematters.coop/supply-chain-theory-of-inflation/
https://x.com/TriciaOhio/status/1945274627976200206
https://www.facebook.com/TimesofEswatini/
https://thedawn.com.ss/2025/07/10/govt-places-8-u-s-deportees-behind-bars-in-juba/
https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/15/politics/department-of-education-trump-dismantle-explainer
https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/14/politics/supreme-court-firings-education
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/07/16/trump-tariffs-small-countries-00456401
https://www.ft.com/content/65b1fb44-6391-4f74-82db-2d7eb6aaafa9
https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/15/economy/trump-says-trade-deal-with-indonesia
https://www.spokesman.com/stories/2025/jul/15/spokane-ice-protesters-including-stuckart-arrested/
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