Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content

#399 - The Politics of Catastrophe

Jan 27, 2025

In conversation with Sam Harris, Rick Caruso, philanthropist and founder of Caruso real estate, sheds light on the devastating LA fires and government mismanagement. They discuss the controversial practice of private firefighting and the pressing need for effective crisis leadership. Caruso addresses the ethical responsibilities of the wealthy in philanthropy and tackling social inequality. The dialogue also dives into the political implications of rebuilding efforts and public safety, advocating for better governance and resource allocation.

01:15:49

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Episode guests

Rick Caruso

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Quick takeaways

Rick Caruso emphasizes that poor leadership and infrastructure management significantly exacerbated the devastation caused by the Los Angeles fires.

In the aftermath of the fires, Caruso advocates for modernized building safety standards to enhance community resilience and protect against future catastrophes.

Caruso proposes that increased philanthropic efforts from wealthy individuals can play a crucial role in community recovery and rebuilding initiatives following disasters.

Deep dives

Rick Caruso's Background and Experience

Rick Caruso shares his journey from practicing law to becoming a successful businessman and public servant. His career began with a challenging experience at a New York law firm that led him to establish his own real estate company, where he credits his creative and innovative team for their groundbreaking work. His foray into politics began when he was appointed as a commissioner by Mayor Tom Bradley, where he learned the intricacies of municipal governance. Caruso's significant roles in various public service positions, including his leadership during crucial reforms in departments like the LAPD, showcase his commitment to improving community safety and infrastructure.

Intro

2min

Crisis Leadership and Infrastructure Failures

9min

Leadership and Crisis Management in Urban Fires

16min

Environmental Health Concerns and Community Safety

2min

Rebuilding After Catastrophe

8min

Rethinking Governance and Public Safety

10min

Wealth, Class, and Community Responsibility

7min

The Ethics of Aggressive Philanthropy

19min

Emotional Dynamics and Corruption in Political Campaigns

2min

Share this episode: https://www.samharris.org/podcasts/making-sense-episodes/399-the-politics-of-catastrophe

Sam Harris speaks with Rick Caruso about the Los Angeles fires. They discuss how mismanagement may have contributed to the severity of the fires, who’s to blame, the practice of private firefighting, rebuilding and the future of L.A., how DEI fueled public cynicism toward government, the ethics of having immense wealth, philanthropy, and other topics.

Rick Caruso is a philanthropist and the founder and executive chairman of Caruso, one of the largest privately held real estate companies in the U.S. Early in his career, he served as Commissioner for the L.A. Department of Water and Power, before being selected to be President of the L.A. Police Commission. He also served as the chair of the board of trustees at the University of Southern California, and is on the boards of St. John’s Hospital and the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library Foundation.

Website: https://caruso.com/about/rick-caruso/

Twitter: @RickCarusoLA

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Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content

#399 - The Politics of Catastrophe

Episode guests