Fast Politics with Molly Jong-Fast
Michael Tomasky & Greg Epstein
Oct 3, 2024
Michael Tomasky, editor of The New Republic, discusses the aftermath of the VP debate, providing insights on Trump's dwindling public empathy. Greg Epstein, a humanist chaplain at Harvard and MIT, dives into his new book, 'Tech Agnostic,' exploring technology's role as a modern religion. The conversation highlights the need for reevaluating our spiritual beliefs in the tech era and critiques the worship-like devotion to Silicon Valley leaders. The duo also addresses the ethical dilemmas posed by for-profit initiatives during societal crises.
40:21
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Quick takeaways
- Trump's insensitivity towards injured veterans and his undermining of military personnel reflect a troubling lack of compassion in leadership.
- Greg Epstein's perspective on technology as a quasi-religion emphasizes the need for critical scrutiny and a balanced approach to its influence.
Deep dives
Controversial Military Remarks
Donald Trump faced backlash for downplaying the significance of brain injuries sustained by troops during an Iranian attack, referring to them merely as headaches. This insensitivity highlights a perceived lack of empathy towards injured veterans, contrasting normal public sentiment which typically elicits sympathy for such individuals. The comments reflect a consistent pattern where Trump appears to undermine military personnel, raising concerns among critics about his regard for those who serve. The criticism indicates a troubling trend where the compassion expected from leadership is absent, eliciting a sense of outrage from the public.
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