Michael Lewis, renowned author of The Big Short and Moneyball, joins to discuss his latest work, Who is Government? He highlights the unsung heroes of civil service whose crucial roles often go unrecognized. Lewis dissects the damaging stereotypes of bureaucrats, emphasizing the importance of reliable information. He critiques Elon Musk's approach to governance and examines the complex dynamics of political leadership. Additionally, he calls attention to the critical narrative of government effectiveness, advocating for stories that reshape public perception.
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Unexpected Heroes
Michael Lewis became interested in the government after Trump fired the transition team, initially intending to write a humorous piece.
He was surprised by the compelling stories of dedicated civil servants, like Arthur A. Allen, an oceanographer who revolutionized Coast Guard search and rescue.
insights INSIGHT
Untold Stories
Government stories are underreported due to political sensitivity, communication barriers, and a prevailing negative narrative.
Civil servants often avoid attention, while stereotypes about government inefficiency further hinder positive coverage.
insights INSIGHT
Forgotten Improvements
People take government services for granted, lacking a collective memory of life before their implementation.
Democrats struggle to counter negative narratives about government, while Republicans actively reshape public perception despite unpopular policies.
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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].
The Premonition
A Pandemic Story
Michael Lewis
The Premonition by Michael Lewis is a gripping account of the individuals who foresaw the impending COVID-19 pandemic and the failures in the American public health system. The book focuses on characters such as Charity Dean, a public health officer, and the 'Gang of Seven,' a group of doctors and scientists who created their own pandemic plan. It highlights their tireless work, the use of computer models to predict viral spread, and the challenges they faced amidst political pressure, financial constraints, and public criticism. The narrative underscores the courage and dedication of these unsung heroes and the need for more proactive approaches to public health preparedness.
Michael Lewis, acclaimed author of The Big Short, Moneyball and The Fifth Risk joins Lovett to discuss his most recent book, Who is Government? Lewis and his coauthors profile the civil servants whose thankless and unglamorous work prevents mines from collapsing, castaways from drowning, and rare diseases from killing people. He and Jon talk about why it’s so important to break down the “bureaucrat” stereotype right now, why Lewis is convinced Elon Musk has no idea how to run DOGE, and what leads the people he writes about to stand up to Trump or succumb to their personal ambition.
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