Real Talk with Zuby #386 Michael Shellenberger - The Left Doesn't Want You To See This
Oct 24, 2025
Michael Shellenberger, an author and journalist known for his insights on energy and environment, joins for a provocative discussion. They explore the cultural shifts fueling political violence and the impact of social media on perceptions of crime. Shellenberger debunks environmental myths and critiques the radicalization seen in universities. The conversation also delves into gender politics, the fertility crisis, and the importance of revitalizing community norms as a counter to polarization.
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Social Media Warps Empathy
- Social media dulls empathy for out-groups while amplifying in-group compassion, creating pathological cruelty.
- Michael Shellenberger argues this shift explains celebratory reactions to political violence and rising societal callousness.
A Hinge From Globalism To Nationalism
- Shellenberger sees a generational hinge: post-war globalism giving way to nationalism and a 'return of the strong gods.'
- He links rising masculinity among Gen Z men to rejection of 'toxic masculinity' narratives and attraction to new right figures.
How Universities Became Radicalized
- The radicalization of colleges combined with millennials' social-media activism after 2012 catalyzed cancel culture and woke dominance.
- Shellenberger traces institutional shifts to hiring practices that filtered universities toward the radical left.
