Plain English with Derek Thompson How Democrats Lost the Future
37 snips
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.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
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.
