Making Sense with Sam Harris - Subscriber Content #389 - The Politics of Risk
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Oct 25, 2024 
Nate Silver, statistician and founder of FiveThirtyEight, discusses the evolving cultural attitudes toward risk in American politics. He highlights the erosion of trust in democratic institutions and how digital echo chambers shape public perception. The conversation touches on the complexities of polling, the impact of key tech figures like Musk and Bankman-Fried, and the rising Gen Z voting trends. Silver also explores the likelihood of electoral unrest and the intricate relationship between wealth concentration, media trust, and political dynamics.
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Erosion of Trust
- Americans distrust institutions, the market economy, and even democracy.
- This distrust is fueled by political fragmentation and a sense of stagnation.
Internet’s Impact on Trust
- The internet’s endless information and bespoke segmentation amplify confirmation bias.
- Tribalism and algorithms prioritizing engagement over truth worsen this.
Nate Silver vs. Bette Midler
- Nate Silver had a public disagreement with Bette Midler regarding his election forecast.
- Midler questioned Silver's impartiality due to his prediction of Harris trailing slightly.