Omar Wasow

Omar Wasow, a political science professor at UC Berkeley and a key voice on the history of protests, shares insights on the current wave of protests sweeping across college campuses in response to the Gaza war. He discusses how the dynamics of protests have evolved since the 1960s, highlighting the impact of media coverage on public opinion. Wasow explains why some protests succeed while others backfire, and the critical role of peaceful activism in shaping societal change. His analysis draws parallels between past and present movements, shedding light on strategies for effective engagement.

Omar Wasow, an assistant professor at UC Berkeley specializing in protest movements, and Andrew Couts, a cybersecurity editor at WIRED, delve into the dynamics of activism. They discuss the historical context of protests, emphasizing the lessons learned from past movements like the civil rights era. The conversation examines the emotional complexities of protests today, the impact of surveillance technology, and strategies for nonviolent demonstrations. They also explore how modern media shapes public perception and the importance of inclusivity in activism.