

The Collapse of American Trust — with Sam Harris
396 snips Jun 19, 2025
Sam Harris, a renowned neuroscientist and author, dives into the alarming decline of trust in key institutions and the proliferation of misinformation. He examines how mindfulness could be our greatest ally in navigating today’s chaotic landscape. The conversation also highlights the impact of social media on mental health and the urgent need to address systemic social inequalities. Plus, insights on ethical masculinity and the significance of personal well-being in an increasingly divisive world.
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Collapse of Institutional Trust
- Trust in institutions is collapsing beyond their actual failures, exacerbated by misinformation and social media influences.
- This growing distrust risks making society ungovernable and vulnerable in crises.
Rebuilding Trust and Expertise
- We must reboot trust by making institutions more genuinely trustworthy while the public relearns to respect expertise.
- Not all opinions hold equal weight; recognizing true expertise is vital for societal function.
Why Trump's Support Persists
- Trump's continued support defies conventional political norms due to systemic vulnerabilities and public tolerance.
- The system lacks resilience to prevent unethical behavior and requires reform to avoid repeating such dysfunction.