Greg Gutfeld, author and political commentator, joins the discussion to delve into his book, 'THE PLUS: Self-Help for People Who Hate Self-Help'. They explore the challenges of living in New York City during the pandemic, including rising crime and high taxes. Gutfeld shares insights on navigating political beliefs and societal issues, while the conversation shifts towards the importance of rational discourse and dealing with narcissism. Insights from personal experiences create a revelatory exchange about growth, creativity, and societal narratives.
Greg Gutfeld's book 'THE PLUS' provides practical insights to help individuals navigate chaos by reclaiming agency and controlling impulses.
The discussion highlights the detrimental effects of modern scapegoating, particularly through social media, on society's ability to engage in rational discourse.
Deep dives
The Concept of The Plus
The book 'The Plus' by Greg Gutfeld is framed as a self-help guide for those who are skeptical of traditional self-help methods. Gutfeld emphasizes the importance of understanding human behavior and offers tools for impulse control as a way to navigate challenges in a chaotic world. He argues that societal mechanisms, like religion and cultural practices, were historically in place to curb our more destructive instincts, which have now been exposed and left unchecked in modern society. By presenting practical insights, Gutfeld aims to empower readers to reclaim their agency and make better choices amid societal chaos.
Mimetic Theory and Cancel Culture
Gutfeld discusses René Girard's mimetic theory, which examines how human behavior creates scapegoats in society, particularly in the context of cancel culture. He argues that modern scapegoating, often associated with social media outrage, reflects a deeper cultural need to vilify others to avert collective accountability. Gutfeld highlights that this tendency to create a scapegoat can lead to destructive social dynamics, indicating a societal regression in impulse control and rational discourse. The conversation ties the historical significance of scapegoating to contemporary issues, suggesting that understanding this theory is crucial for addressing today’s cultural conflicts.
The State of Modern Discourse
The podcast reveals the disarray in contemporary political and social discourse, where misrepresentations and exaggerations often become accepted truths. Gutfeld suggests that political figures, such as Joe Biden, perpetuate narratives that incite division rather than foster understanding, specifically pointing to statements regarding historical events. He critiques the ease with which facts can be distorted, likening it to a societal echo chamber that lacks accountability and critical discussion. This atmosphere of misinformation highlights a call for restoring grounded conversations based on factual realities rather than reactive sentiments.
Adam and Dr. Drew welcome Greg Gutfeld to the show to discuss his new book 'THE PLUS: Self-Help for People Who Hate Self-Help' which they both have consumed and enjoyed. The conversation then briefly turns to covid and how it's impacting Greg's home city of New York before the discussion shifts to taxes and the insanely high rate that they all pay seemingly without getting anything in return. After saying goodbye to Greg the discussion turns to wonderment as Drew tries to convince Adam to use it as a tool to get his points across to others.
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