In this book, David Baddiel argues that antisemitism is often overlooked or downplayed by progressives who otherwise champion social justice. He discusses the 'hierarchy of racisms' that places antisemitism at a lower level of importance and highlights double standards in how antisemitism is addressed compared to other forms of racism. Baddiel explores various topics including under-representation of Jews in media, the relationship between Jews and white privilege, and the distinction between anti-Zionism and antisemitism. He also reflects on his personal experiences and engages with contemporary debates in politics, sports, and culture to make a compelling case for why Jews should be recognized as a legitimate minority group facing unique forms of discrimination.
The book explores how the ideas 'what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,' 'always trust your feelings,' and 'life is a battle between good people and evil people' have become embedded in American culture. These 'Great Untruths' contradict basic psychological principles and ancient wisdom, leading to a culture of safetyism that interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. The authors investigate various social trends, including fearful parenting, the decline of unsupervised play, and the impact of social media, as well as changes on college campuses and the broader context of political polarization in America.
The Intelligence Trap delves into the surprising ways that even the brightest minds and most talented organizations can go wrong. David Robson draws on cutting-edge ideas in intelligence and expertise, including historical examples and insights from behavioral science. The book discusses how higher education and expertise can amplify mistakes and blind individuals to their biases. It offers practical advice based on the lessons of Benjamin Franklin, Richard Feynman, and Daniel Kahneman to help avoid these cognitive pitfalls and enhance rational thinking.
In 'Cultish: The Language of Fanaticism,' Amanda Montell argues that the key to manufacturing intense ideology, community, and us/them attitudes in cults and cult-like groups lies in the use of language. The book delves into the verbal elements that make these communities 'cultish,' including the redefinition of words, euphemisms, and other linguistic tricks. Montell analyzes various groups such as Jonestown, Scientology, NXIVM, and even modern entities like SoulCycle and social media influencers, highlighting how these groups use language to create a sense of belonging and loyalty. The book is praised for its engaging narrative, original research, and incisive analysis of the power of language in shaping human behavior.
In this book, Jonathan Haidt draws on twenty-five years of research on moral psychology to explain why people's moral judgments are driven by intuition rather than reason. He introduces the Moral Foundations Theory, which posits that human morality is based on six foundations: care/harm, fairness/cheating, loyalty/betrayal, authority/subversion, sanctity/degradation, and liberty/oppression. Haidt argues that liberals tend to focus on the care/harm and fairness/cheating foundations, while conservatives draw on all six. The book also explores how morality binds and blinds people, leading to social cohesion but also to conflicts. Haidt aims to promote understanding and civility by highlighting the commonalities and differences in moral intuitions across political spectra.
In 'What Is a Woman?', Matt Walsh embarks on a journey to answer a question that has become increasingly controversial. He interviews various experts, including doctors, therapists, psychiatrists, and politicians, only to find that none can definitively define what a woman is. The book delves into the shocking and horrifying roots of radical gender ideology, how activists are influencing children, and reveals a strategy to counter the prevailing gender ideology. Walsh's approach is often comical yet deeply disturbing, highlighting the logical and evidential gaps in modern gender theories.
In 'Going Clear: Scientology, Hollywood, and the Prison of Belief,' Lawrence Wright delves into the inner workings of the Church of Scientology. The book provides a comprehensive history of the church, from its founding by L. Ron Hubbard to its current status as a global organization. Wright examines the church's practices, its treatment of members, and its significant influence on Hollywood through high-profile adherents like Tom Cruise and John Travolta. The book is based on extensive research and interviews with former Scientologists, offering a critical look at the church's beliefs and operations.
I sat down with journalist and documentary filmmaker Andrew Gold to discuss our susceptibility cultish thinking, the dangers of ideological capture, and the disturbing rise of woke Islamism. Andrew shares his personal journey from a respected BBC presenter to an outspoken critic of the mainstream media and politics. He also digs into his experiences over the years reporting on exorcism, Scientology, and his more recent focus on gender ideology and Britain’s immigration crisis. Drawing on his extensive study of how cults capture and control people, Andrew makes a compelling case for independent thought and healthy skepticism when confronting the dark forces at work in the modern world.
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Follow Andrew on X (formerly Twitter): https://x.com/AndrewGold_ok
Watch ‘Heretics’ on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@andrewgoldheretics
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Outline:
[0:00] Andrew’s run-in with DEI at the BBC
[16:53] Cancel culture’s role in independent media
[22:05] Are cults an inevitable part of human society?
[28:05] Scientology, Tom Cruise, and Hollywood
[35:11] Hasidic Jews and urban ethnic enclaves
[38:45] Atheism, faith, and the evolution of morality
[51:40] Can liberalism survive without Christianity?
[59:20] How intelligence can fuel crazy beliefs
[1:09:59] Is exorcism real, and how can we know?
[1:18:55] Feminism set the stage for gender ideology
[1:35:33] Is ‘transgender’ a cover for predators?
[1:45:49] Liberalism, equality, and human nature
[1:52:35] Successful immigration requires assimilation
[2:03:04] Islamo-wokeism makes no sense
[2:15:37] Acceptance is the key to happiness
[2:19:15] Make people feel less alone
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Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/o94f3452XYQ
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