In *The Fifth Risk*, Michael Lewis delves into the Trump administration’s botched presidential transition, highlighting the consequences of willful ignorance and greed among its leaders. The book explores the critical services managed by the U.S. government, including ensuring food and drug safety, predicting extreme weather events, and tracking black market uranium. Lewis focuses on the Departments of Energy, Agriculture, and Commerce, revealing their often-overlooked roles and the dedicated employees who work within them. The title 'The Fifth Risk' refers to 'project management,' the unforeseen and long-term risks that only a vigilant and committed agency can forecast and prevent. Lewis's narrative is character-driven, featuring interviews with former federal staff members and historical context to illustrate the importance of effective government management and the dangers of short-term solutions[1][4][5].
In a rapidly changing world faced with seemingly impossible problems, 'The Genius Myth' combines dramatic real-life experiences with compelling mythic tales and a profound exploration of the wisdom of genius. It is essential for anyone who seeks to awaken their own genius and learn how to heal nature and renew culture. The book imagines that everyone, by virtue of bearing some genius qualities, is subject to a genuine calling in life, and it offers essential ideas for parents, teachers, counselors, and mentors seeking to encourage and support those they care about.
Sam Harris speaks with Helen Lewis about the culture wars. They discuss the role of journalists, DEI, political polarization, feminism, transgender activism, gender roles, the Rotherham scandal, Islam and jihadism, Elon Musk and X, the future of the Democratic Party, and other topics.
Helen Lewis is a staff writer at The Atlantic, where she writes about politics and culture. Last year, she traveled to Austin to explore what Joe Rogan has done to the city, profiled the controversial American literacy guru Lucy Calkins, and spent the election campaign season in Pennsylvania.
Helen is also the host of the BBC's Strong Message Here and Helen Lewis Has Left The Chat. Her first book, Difficult Women: A History of Feminism in 11 Fights, was a Sunday Times bestseller. Her second book, The Genius Myth, explores how the modern idea of genius―a class of special people―is distorting our view of the world. It will be published in the summer by Jonathan Cape (UK) and Thesis (US). She writes a weekly Substack, The Bluestocking.
Website: helenlewis.substack.com
X: @helenlewis
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Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.
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