How the Internet Killed Critical Thinking - Meghan Daum | #61

I had such a good time talking with Meghan Daum in LA! She is the author of seven books including My Misspent Youth, The Problem With Everything, and the award-winning The Unspeakable: And Other Subjects Of Discussion. She’s also the host of The Unspeakeasy Podcast and founder of The Unspeakeasy, a forum devoted to viewpoint diversity and free expression.This production was made possible by DFI Rentals - book gear for your next shoot here: https://www.dfirentals.com/Subscribe to my Substack to send in questions for upcoming guests! https://elliotbewick.substack.com/Check out Meghan’s Substack: https://www.theunspeakablepodcast.com/Find more from Meghan: https://www.meghandaum.com/CHAPTERS:00:00 “Culture is being held hostage by its own hyperbole”08:39 Why don’t Gen Z want normal jobs?15:03 Seductive half truths18:57 Amusing ourselves to death24:17 Where the Gen Z pursuit of happiness goes wrong32:20 “Hysteria is monetisable” and the flaws of feminism45:37 How feminism negatively affects both sexes49:07 How do we move forward from this?52:42 The Gen Z shift towards Christianity56:55 Charlie Kirk’s assassination59:20 Is it irresponsible to sit on the fence?1:13:14 New media pushes us into echo chambers1:22:10 Are Gen Z growing up in a uniquely difficult time?1:27:45 Are too many people going to university?1:32:34 Why are you so vocal in the trans debate?1:39:36 Should we use preferred pronouns?1:45:30 Attitudes around transgenderism are changing1:53:12 Is there such a thing as ‘true trans’?1:55:56 What’s the way forward for Gen Z?1:58:48 Final thoughtsMy Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elliotbewick/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@elliotbewickX: https://x.com/elliotbewickABOUT THE NEXT GENERATION: In a world saturated by social media and marked by skyrocketing rates of anxiety, depression, and ADHD among Gen Z, young people are growing up in a landscape of chaos and contradiction. While protests swell in city streets and activists hurl soup at famous artworks to demand climate action, a quieter crisis unfolds within - the mental and emotional battles faced by a generation trying to make sense of it all.The Next Generation is hosted by 20-year-old Elliot Bewick, offering a raw and honest look at the world through the eyes of those living in it. Bringing together insight from professionals and young people on the ground, this podcast isn’t here to complain or chase clout. It’s here to bend the arc of the modern world towards solutions, truth and a love for the beautiful adventure of life itself.