The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan cover image

The Dishcast with Andrew Sullivan

Walter Kirn On The Midwest, Walz, Trump

Oct 11, 2024
Walter Kirn, a celebrated novelist and journalist best known for "Up in the Air," dives deep into his Midwestern roots, reflecting on a whimsical childhood filled with colorful characters. He shares his transformative experience of attending Princeton, contrasting it with his humble upbringing. The conversation takes an intriguing turn as Kirn recounts watching Obama and Trump speeches on LSD, revealing perceptions of American identity, the struggles of rural towns after NAFTA, and the unexpected complexity of Midwestern populism.
42:38

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Walter Kirn's upbringing in rural Minnesota reflects the profound connection between childhood experiences and personal identity within the literary landscape.
  • The podcast discusses how signaling adherence to progressive ideals contributes to polarization in political discourse and societal interactions.

Deep dives

Influence of Wokeness and Elite Signaling

The discussion revolves around the concept of wokeness and its association with signaling membership in an elite group. It highlights the ways individuals display their adherence to progressive ideals as a form of social standing among their peers. This signaling not only reinforces personal identity but also reflects broader cultural norms that are shaping societal interactions. The conversation suggests that this phenomenon is both a reaction to and a catalyst for polarization in political discourse.

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