Jon Askonas, a political theorist and writer known for his insights on culture and media, delves into the complexities of modern communication and its influence on society. He critiques the Tower of Babel analogy in relation to social media's fragmentation of language. The conversation highlights the evolution of political dynamics from traditional media to online communities, addressing the impact on public perception. Askonas also examines societal anxieties about declining fertility rates and the search for spiritual renewal amid bureaucratic control.

Jon Askonas, a Senior Fellow at FAI and Assistant Professor, dives into the evolving intersection of the right and technology. Highlights include the impact of smartphones on the youth and how emerging tech like AI and AR is redefining conservative values. The discussion shifts to age verification in pornography and how social conservatism is adjusting its strategies. As a new conservative coalition forms, Askonas explores its implications for U.S. politics, especially in light of the MAGA movement and the tech right's influence on future elections.

Jon Askonas, an Assistant Professor of Politics and a senior fellow, delves into the evolving intersection of technology and the Republican Party. He discusses how Trump's second term may shift AI policy priorities away from existential risks towards competition, especially concerning China. The conversation highlights the rise of a tech-oriented faction within conservatism, tensions in AI regulation, and the challenges of balancing innovation with safety. Jon also critiques the AI safety community's early missteps in influencing policy discussions post-ChatGPT.

Jon Askonas, professor at The Catholic University of America and a contributor to the New Atlantis and Compact, discusses technological change, conservatism's vulnerability to grift, democracy, the January 6th hearings, Rene Girard, and apocalypse.

Jon Askonas joins me to discuss his ongoing series of essays in The New Atlantis, "Reality: A Post-Mortem." Read the series here: https://www.thenewatlantis.com/collections/reality-a-post-mortem