Past Present Future History of Ideas 10: David Foster Wallace
Jan 3, 2024
In this episode, American writer David Foster Wallace discusses his experiences following John McCain's campaign for the Republican presidential nomination in 2000. The podcast explores McCain's distinctive political style and its implications for American democracy. It also highlights the role of technology in Donald Trump's successful 2016 campaign and delves into Wallace's contrasting views on McCain and Trump's authenticity. The episode concludes by discussing the parallels between Trump's rise to power and the narrative described by Wallace, including themes of populism, technological shifts, and media coverage.
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Unconventional Coverage
- Rolling Stone commissioned David Foster Wallace to cover John McCain's 2000 presidential campaign.
- Wallace, known for his fiction, approached the assignment as an outsider, offering a unique perspective.
Outsider vs. Insider
- Unlike Hunter S. Thompson, despite his outsider persona, Wallace truly was a political outsider.
- Thompson, despite his renegade image, actively participated in the insider political game.
Herd Mentality and Tech Guys
- Journalists covering campaigns often exhibit a herd mentality, mimicking each other and sticking to conventional narratives.
- To get the real story, Wallace talked to the technicians, who had a clearer view.