Plain English with Derek Thompson Can "Touch-Grass Populism" Save America?
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Oct 21, 2025 
Jake Auchincloss, a U.S. Congressman from Massachusetts, tackles the Democratic Party's branding struggles and offers fresh policy ideas. He proposes a digital dopamine tax to address social media's impact on attention. The conversation dives into the 'cost disease' in housing and healthcare, suggesting tech adoption as a solution. Auchincloss argues for a new centrist approach, blending bold ideas across ideologies. He also emphasizes the importance of catchy, relatable political messages to reconnect with young voters and challenge big tech.
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Democrats Need A Memorable Mission
- Democrats lack a memorable, mission-driven identity compared with punchy Republican promises.
- Winning requires articulating a clear mission, not just occupying the center.
Regulate By Neuroscience Outcomes
- Use the CPSC and National Academies to assess social media's brain effects and set neuroscientific safety standards.
- Regulate platforms around outcomes for adolescent dopamine delivery, not corporate structure.
Tax Big Platforms' Ad Revenue
- Tax digital advertising revenues of big platforms and dedicate proceeds to public goods.
- Treat social-media ad income like a vice tax similar to tobacco or alcohol levies.
