Rick Wilson's The Enemies List

Apocalyptic Partisanship

Apr 29, 2024

Frank Bruni, author of 'The Age of Grievance,' discusses the toxic culture of outrage in American politics with Rick Wilson. They delve into the roots of grievance, the impact of conservative media like Rush Limbaugh, and how social media exacerbates the problem. They reflect on the decline of civility, rise of apocalyptic partisanship, and erosion of trust in institutions.

33:58

Episode guests

Frank Bruni

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

The rise of apocalyptic partisanship in American politics fueled by outrage culture and grievance-driven identities.

Social media incentivizes performative outrage, hindering substantive political dialogue and prioritizing anger over progress.

Deep dives

The Impact of Grievance Culture on Politics

The podcast discusses how Americans have increasingly relied on outrage and grievance to shape their political identities. It highlights a shift towards a culture where individuals define themselves by their perceived sense of being wronged and seek retribution. The guest and host delve into the evolution of campaigning, emphasizing a shift towards apocalyptic partisanship, indicating a departure from traditional political discourse.

Introduction

3min

Exploring the Roots and Consequences of Apocalyptic Partisanship

4min

Challenges of Partisanship and Bias in Political Discourse

5min

Hope in Politics: A Call for Constructive Leadership

18min

Reflections on Violent Entertainment and Book Recommendation

2min

American political discourse has become more toxic than ever. In today's episode, Rick speaks with Frank Bruni, author of the new book "The Age of Grievance," which examines the pervasive culture of outrage and grievance driving contemporary American politics. Together, they analyze the roots of this phenomenon, tracing it back to historical and media influences, such as the rise of conservative media figures like Rush Limbaugh and Fox News. They explore how social media has intensified this culture, rewarding anger and performative outrage over substantive dialogue. They reflect on the decline of civility and compromise in political discourse, the rise of apocalyptic partisanship, and the erosion of trust in institutions.

Timestamps:

[00:01:30] The Age of Grievance

[00:16:22] Pessimism sells

[00:15:46] Breaking the spell

[00:24:40] Strategies for governing

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