Time To Say Goodbye Phone Alienation, Body Optimization, and Make America Healthy Again with Maya Vinokour
Jan 15, 2025
Maya Vinokour, an Assistant Professor of Russian Studies at NYU, dives into the curious intersection of wellness culture and right-wing politics. She unpacks the concept of 'lifestyle fascism' and how everyday health choices can lead to radical beliefs. The conversation navigates the evolution of wellness since the 1970s, poking fun at modern food trends, and critiques the anxiety surrounding health narratives in our tech-driven world. Plus, she highlights the psychological toll of the optimization craze and the nihilism creeping into youth political engagement.
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Lifestyle Fascism
- Lifestyle fascism blends tech optimization, individualism, and self-help culture.
- It predicts right-wing views based on aggregated health trends.
Salinger's Seed Oil Fixation
- J.D. Salinger, after retreating to the woods, became fixated on avoiding seed oils.
- He would only discuss this topic with visitors, illustrating an obsessive focus on a singular health concern.
Body Optimization and Politics
- People's focus on body optimization as the final frontier often leads to strange political beliefs.
- This optimization mindset can create an obsession with maximizing everything, including human potential.