Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and author of The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth and The Happiness Curve: Why Life Gets Better After 50, discusses how our sense of satisfaction with life is age-related, the U-shaped well-being curve, navigating midlife dissatisfaction, and shifting the social narrative around aging.

Jamie Lee Curtis and Lindsay Lohan, both icons of film and pop culture, join political analyst Jonathan Rauch to explore Jonah Goldberg's journey through the conservative movement. They discuss the unexpected remake of 'Freaky Friday' and dive into horseshoe theory in modern politics. The conversation highlights the evolution of American conservatism, the rise of populism, and moral dilemmas faced by public figures. As they dissect the influence of figures like Trump and the identity crisis within the Republican Party, the dialogue captures the tension between integrity and shifting ideologies.

0:00 What’s wrong with cancelation?13:28 A defense of Charles Murray21:24 Cancelation and the closet28:08 Jonathan’s book, The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth39:35 Jonathan: “The marketplace of ideas” is a necessary but insufficient metaphor42:51 Is Trump an agent of disinformation?54:22 What the woke and MAGA crowds have in common59:41 Why Jonathan is hopeful about the constitution of knowledgeRecorded February 6, 2022Links and ReadingsJonathan’s latest book, The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of TruthJonathan’s book, Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free ThoughtCharles Murray and Richard Herrnstein’s book, The Bell Curve: Intelligence and Class Structure in American LifeJeff Gerth’s Four-Party Columbia Journalism Review series on Trump and the pressStanford’s Internet Observatory This is a public episode. If you’d like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit glennloury.substack.com/subscribe

In this engaging discussion, Jonathan Rauch, an insightful journalist and author known for his work on public policy and culture, delves into timeless and timely issues. He connects the philosophies of Plato to modern challenges like cancel culture, examining how ancient ideas can inform our views on free speech today. The conversation covers moral dilemmas surrounding controversial figures like Salman Rushdie, the pitfalls of intolerance in liberal institutions, and the pressing need for open-mindedness amidst ideological dogma in media and society.

Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, discusses moral courage, the weaponization of silence, and his fight for gay marriage. Topics include the challenges of free speech, the politicization of academia, and the importance of common culture in democracy. They explore skepticism, fallibleism, and the limitations of social media in uncovering truth. They also address the spread of misinformation and the development of Jewish law.

Jonathan Rauch, author and journalist at the Brookings Institution, discusses his books, journalism career, and focus on liberalism, Madisonian Pluralism, and religion within democratic institutions. They explore the challenges and opportunities of pluralism and religion in democratic societies, the success of Lawfare as an online platform, the relationship between evangelicalism and democracy, the shift within the white evangelical church, and the divergent responses of evangelical and Mormon communities. They also debate the best James Bond.

Guest Jonathan Rauch discusses the reality, economics, and neurology of midlife crises. Topics include labor and policy implications, challenging stereotypes, distinguishing depression from dissatisfaction, navigating midlife malaise, redefining aging, and the evolutionary role of wisdom in midlife transitions.

Sam Harris speaks with Jonathan Rauch and Josh Szeps about the foundations of knowledge, the state of mainstream media, the impact of COVID on information landscape, Trump and Trumpism, immigration issues, and other topics.

Peter Wehner and Jonathan Rauch engage in a conversation about the intersection of faith and politics. They discuss the importance of mutual understanding and having conversations with different viewpoints. They explore the tension between miracles and regularity, and they delve into the atheist's reaction to the wonders of the universe. They also discuss the case for and against the resurrection and the potential danger of supernaturalism.

Lawfare's Ben Wittes interviews journalist Jonathan Rauch about his focus on liberalism, Madisonian pluralism, and religion within democratic institutions. They discuss the surprising approach of the LDS Church to culture war issues, the shift of white evangelical Christianity towards MAGA, and the disparity between white evangelical and LDS reactions to recent cultural issues.