The American Mind Podcast

As warring factions grapple for power behind an increasingly transparent veneer of control and serenity, everyday Americans find themselves subject to a chaotic and unhinged form of anarcho-tyrannical rule. Our editors analyze newly released footage that challenges the continuing hysteria regarding the events of January 6, 2021, and the rise and fall of both New York and Chicago’s Lori Lightfoot. Is anyone in charge of it all? If not, what is to be done? Plus: the editors remind you to read the damn site, recounting their favorite articles on TAM this week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

Peachy Keenan joins the editors to discuss the tweet that broke the internet: an anecdote about the effects of racial preferences in admission turned into a Rorschach test and a celebration parallax. It’s not happening, and it’s good that it is! Then, a close reading of the new TikTok filter that confronts users with a vision of their younger selves, forcing many of them to confront the reality of passing time and human mortality. Plus: our editors pick their favorite pieces from the site this week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

In a two-man episode of the Round Table (the linear table?), Seth Barron and Spencer Klavan conduct a close reading of Puffin’s changes to the works of Roald Dahl. In collaboration with “Inclusive Minds, a collective for people who are passionate about inclusion and accessibility in children’s literature,” the publishers have decided to tweak Dahl’s work and bring it up to speed with the latest woke nostrums. What could possibly go wrong? Plus: read the damn site! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

As extremely dangerous chemical spills are happening across America, and as UFOs get shot down day after day, our editors (joined by Helen Roy!) discuss whether malice or incompetence predominates in our present climate. Meanwhile, the cult of D.I.E. continues to install itself in our educational institutions, as demonstrated by Columbia University's recent CRT chant for medical students, complete with bowed heads and silent reverence. Plus: our editors recount their favorite essays of the week and implore you to read the damn site. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

Turning from Biden’s gasbaggery to the real issues at stake, our editors discuss what is needed for a digital revival, how the US left a Chinese spy balloon in our airspace for nearly a week without doing anything, and the disastrous situation at the border. Black pills abound, but hope is never lost. Plus: the editors share their favorite articles of the week. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

This week's edition of "This is Fine" kicks off with a close analysis of an increasingly common phenomenon in mainstream media: supplanting objectivity with personal experience and identity. From Watergate to a recent viral WaPo op-ed, they uncover the fables the press tells itself as copium. Plus: the editors discuss where they turn to for reliable news, the tragic killing of Tyre Nichols, and their favorite stories on TAM this week. For a list of articles referenced in this episode, visit americanmind.org/audio/. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

After ripping Trump for having classified documents on his property for months, the mainstream media has done an about face and are now running damage control for Biden as his own caches of documents continue to emerge. Meanwhile, the highest of high society have taken their private jets to gather at the 50th annual World Economic Forum meeting, where they are discussing how to frame regulating your life in flowery language so you won’t notice. Plus: for supposedly wanting us to stop paying attention to them, Harry the Spare and Meghan the Succubus sure do leap into the spotlight at every opportunity. Our editors, joined by Helen Roy, discuss. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

As flights are grounded across America and federal officials float—then retract—a ban on gas stoves, the editors gather to discuss the gradual dissolution of American competence, and what if anything can be done about it. Plus: Ron DeSantis has made a bold series of appointments to the New College of Florida's Board of Trustees. Is this a hopeful first step, or a meaningless drop in the ocean? The editors chose between white, black, and quantum pills on the state of education. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com

Representative Kevin McCarthy has failed multiple times to win election as Speaker of the House. Is this a wake-up call for GOP leadership, or the wrong outlet for populist outrage? Meanwhile, the infamous social media influencer and former kickboxer, Andrew Tate, has been arrested under suspicion of rape and human trafficking. Plus: David French has joined the New York Times--almost too fitting an outcome after years of realignment on the intellectual Right. Spencer and Seth discuss. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit claremontinstitute.substack.com