David Goodhart; Somewhere Vs. Anywhere people; the conflict between classes
Jan 10, 2021
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David Goodhart, author of 'The Road To Somewhere,' discusses the conflict between somewhere and anywhere people and the impact of college decisions. The podcast explores topics like the Tower of Babel, the intransigent minority, and the student loan crisis. It also delves into the value divergences in education, personal experiences with societal changes, and the limitations of meritocracy.
The anywhere-somewhere divide contributes to the current political climate and the rise of populism, emphasizing the need for bridging value differences and finding common ground in modern politics.
Meritocracy has limitations and may perpetuate inequality, as privilege and advantages are often inherited, calling for a nuanced understanding of its impact on social and economic dynamics.
Key workers, such as caregivers and cleaners, play a vital role in society but receive inadequate recognition and rewards, highlighting the need to address inequalities in their distribution.
Deep dives
The Anywhere-Somewhere Divide
The podcast explores the concept of the anywhere-somewhere divide, which refers to the differing worldviews and values held by individuals in society. Anywhere people are often highly educated, mobile, and prioritize openness and individual autonomy. Somewhere people, on the other hand, are more rooted in their communities, less educated, and value security and familiarity. The podcast discusses how these value differences have contributed to the current political climate and the rise of populism. It emphasizes the need for bridging these value divides and finding common ground in modern politics.
The Influence of Meritocracy
The podcast delves into the concept of meritocracy and its implications for society. While meritocracy is often lauded as an ideal where the most talented and skilled individuals rise to the top, the podcast raises concerns about its limitations. It highlights that meritocracy is not a realistic goal as privilege and advantages are often passed down from generation to generation. Moreover, it questions whether a society solely focused on meritocracy creates winners and losers and exacerbates inequality. The podcast calls for a more nuanced understanding of meritocracy and its impact on social and economic dynamics.
Recognizing Hidden Contributions
The podcast explores the importance of recognizing the hidden contributions of certain groups of individuals in society. It emphasizes the value of key workers and their vital role in keeping communities functioning, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. The podcast sheds light on the disparity in recognition and reward for essential workers such as caregivers, cleaners, and delivery personnel. It calls for greater understanding and appreciation of these often overlooked professions and suggests the need to address inequalities in the distribution of rewards and prestige in society.
The tension between freedom and equality
David Goodhart discusses the tension between our ideals of freedom and equality. While society values the idea of equality, it is undeniable that individuals possess different talents and abilities. Goodhart argues that this tension creates resentment and needs to be addressed in public conversations. He suggests that we need to examine and honestly discuss how we can accommodate the uneven distribution of human talent while maintaining ideals of equality.
The crisis of overproduction of elites and the narrowing definition of success
Goodhart explores the crisis of overproduction of elites and the narrowing definition of success in society. He highlights that the traditional path to success, which involves excelling in education and obtaining professional careers, is becoming increasingly saturated, resulting in a growing sense of resentment among individuals who have followed this path but have not achieved the desired outcomes. Goodhart argues that society needs to reassess its focus on only one cluster of aptitudes, namely cognitive intelligence, and recognize the value and importance of other forms of human ability, such as vocational skills and emotional intelligence.
David Goodhart is the author of the "The Road To Somewhere" a book that describes how western societies have been divided by the aspiration and decisions of young people choosing to go away to college or stay in their hometown. His heretical book caught Britain by storm as it was published just as the world watched Brexit happen and Donald Trump be elected.
Goodhart and Vance Crowe discuss the Somewhere vs. Anywhere people, the story of the Tower of Babel, and highlight new ideas regarding the Intransigent Minority and the student loan crisis as a reason for joining mass protest movements.
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About the Vance Crowe Podcast —
Vance Crowe interviews people with an expertise that you would want to know about, but might not think to ask. He prompts his guests to think about their work in novel ways, discusses how it applies to regular people and has fun sharing stories and experiences.
We are a patchwork of thinkers that want to articulate ideas in a forum where they can be respectfully challenged, improved and celebrated so that we can explore complex subjects, learn from those we disagree with and achieve our personal & professional goals.
Vance delivers speeches that reveal important aspects of human communication. Audiences are entertained, engaged, and leave feeling empowered to change something about the way they are communicating. Vance tells stories about his own experiences, discusses theories in ways that make them relatable and highlights interesting people, books, and media that the audience can learn even more from.
