Victor Davis Hanson: In His Own Words

Alex Tarascio, a pollster and strategist at Cygnal who led a survey of 1,000 young men, outlines the study and methods. He discusses online time patterns, links between social activities and problem-solving, and how mentorship, exercise, and moderate screen limits correlate with better life direction. He also highlights which factors predict trouble and suggests areas for further research.

Jennifer Kabbany, editor-in-chief of The College Fix and higher-education reporter, outlines research showing Truman Scholarships skew liberal. She breaks down how selection stages produce bias. Short takes on DEI’s persistence, jaw-dropping campus stories, alumni and trustee activism, and whether higher education faces a bubble.

Tyler O'Neil, senior editor at The Daily Signal and investigative reporter, digs into Minnesota’s recent turmoil. He recounts alleged taxpayer fraud and limits on criminal probes. He describes a disruptive protest inside Cities Church and examines officials’ responses. He traces activist funding and broader nonprofit influence on policy.

Elizabeth Spalding, chairman of the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation and founding director of its museum, discusses the museum’s origins and what visitors encounter. She explores Hollywood’s cultural blindness to communist crimes and recommends films and memoirs that document oppression. She also examines the shared DNA of communism and socialism and the risks to civic life.

Lee Ohanian, UCLA economist and Hoover Institution senior fellow who studies California policy, critiques the state’s grand high-speed rail plan. He breaks down massive cost overruns, delays, and political missteps. The conversation also touches on looming infrastructure failures, fuel policy impacts, and pricey public works choices.

Daniel J. Mahoney, professor emeritus and Claremont Institute senior fellow noted for work on Solzhenitsyn and Scruton. He spotlights Solzhenitsyn’s Gulag Archipelago as a moral reckoning. He highlights Thomas Sowell’s constrained vs unconstrained visions. He praises Roger Scruton’s critique of the New Left and connects C.S. Lewis to modern biotech threats.

Chuck Donovan, a pro-life activist and former president of the Charlotte Lozier Institute, shares insightful perspectives on the anti-abortion movement's evolution. He highlights the diverse coalition that emerged post-Roe and critiques Trump's comments on the Hyde Amendment. Donovan warns about the ethical implications of growing assisted suicide trends and discusses the need for a culture that values life. He explores threats posed by genetic technologies and the expanded access of the abortion pill, calling for renewed strategic responses from pro-life advocates.

In this dialogue, Bill Jacobson, founder of Legal Insurrection and Cornell law professor, discusses the alarming rise of hostility towards Jewish students at Cornell following recent events. He critiques the origins of Black Lives Matter, claiming its narratives stem from fabrication and Marxist agendas. Jacobson also outlines the chilling effects of a monoculture in academia and his initiatives to document and challenge discriminatory practices in education through Legal Insurrection and the Equal Protection Project.

Eli Steele, an award-winning filmmaker and president of Man of Steel Productions, joins the discussion to explore the implications of Michael Brown's death in Ferguson. He examines the historical roots of racial unrest tied to 1960s post-liberal policies. Steele details how societal narratives have shifted to focus on race dynamics rather than individual actions. He also discusses his collaboration with his father, Shelby Steele, on their films, including the upcoming 'White Guilt,' addressing guilt and ideological conflicts in America today.

Renowned sculptor Sabin Howard, known for The Soldier's Journey at the National World War I Memorial, shares his insights on art and patriotism. He critiques modern art's nihilism, advocating for works that elevate society and reflect divine order. Howard discusses his monumental projects, including the Grand Liberty Arch, designed to celebrate America’s 250th anniversary, and the intricate process behind creating such public art. He emphasizes the importance of community support and faith in his artistic journey.