The American Mind Podcast

There is a God-shaped hole in the American soul. We’re not going to fill it with tech, or entertainment, or drugs, or violence--but lots of people might try. Big Tech wants the bots to whisper sweet nothings at you, others are on a quest to worship the ultimate superdrug, and still others would simply burn the system down just to feel something. Our editors discuss how we can come back down to reality. 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

Social media has proven unsustainable as a digital way of life, plunging many internet moguls into an identity crisis. As we enter the age of Web3, it seems some regimes are doubling down on managed decline…but will others find a better way forward? Meanwhile, the verdict is in on Depp v. Heard, but the important takeaway is how far celebrity cachet—much like the cachet of every other special identity marker—has fallen in the Digital Age. 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

Eighteen-year-old Salvador Ramos opened fire in an Uvalde, TX elementary school in a horrific act of violence. Naturally the political firefighting began within minutes, and Congressional Democrats made gun control the order of the day. But is there really a political solution to the evil we’re up against? Meanwhile, is humor the antidote to the woke revolution, or just a temporary escape valve? And what on earth is going on with monkeypox? Our editors, joined by Matt Peterson, break it down. 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, a deranged young man killed ten people in Buffalo, New York. While pointing fingers at Tucker Carlson and the Right, the legacy media is actively feeding the public disinformation. Speaking of disinformation, the Dept. of Homeland Security's Ministry of Truth is being put on the backburner, but it's unlikely we've heard the last of federal censorship. Plus: is Claremont behind... everything?! Spoiler alert: no. But we are having fun. 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

Inflation hovers near record highs at 8.3%, the debt skyrockets out of control, and even talking about it can feel like it’s making the problem worse. It gets harder every day even to conceptualize the extent of the economy itself, let alone make moves to counteract its myriad dysfunctions. Meanwhile, Trump is emerging as GOP kingmaker…and more? Spencer and James discuss the failures of central planning from financial markets to digital media platforms, and the hope for a new kind of federalism to set the country on a better course. 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 leak unprecedented in modern history, Justice Samuel Alito’s draft decision overturning Roe v. Wade has been published by Politico. But the leak is only part of the story. If Roe really is overruled, the political landscape of America’s states will be more important than ever. Our editors, joined by both Matt Peterson and Helen Roy, have thoughts on the logic of the draft decision, as well as where we go from here. 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

The Know Your Enemy podcast recently accused Claremont of misunderstanding the old civil war, and irresponsibly predicting--or perhaps yearning for--a new one. The editors respond with the help of special guest Glenn Ellmers, Claremont Scholar and author of The Soul of Politics, a book on Claremont’s intellectual godfather Harry V. Jaffa. Plus: Elon Musk officially bought Twitter and conservatives are noticing that they’re being unshackled from shadow suppression. But who is Elon Musk and does the Right want to make him its champion? 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

Disney is at risk of losing its self-governing fiefdom in Florida after coming for Ron DeSantis over his Parents’ Rights bill. Meanwhile, Taylor Lorenz doxxed the owner of the Libs of TikTok account for the crime of doing journalism and showing parents what radical teachers are saying. Plus: Tucker Carlson is bringing right-wing digital vitalism to the older Right. 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

Wouldn't it be great if a nameless technocrat could force you to starve inside your home because they support the current thing and you don't? Oh, and they can both monitor and preach at you with drones. It's happening in Shanghai right now over COVID and a developing online hivemind is drooling at the prospect for the West. But is a hive inevitable? Meanwhile, a horrendous shooting in New York has grim implications for the public’s collective psyche, and Elon Musk is seemingly gearing up to buy a controlling share of Twitter. Is it too late to make a difference? Our editors 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

Won't somebody, please, anybody, shake hands with Joe Biden? Apparently not, as Obama's visit to the White House focuses all the attention immediately back on Barack. One wonders who is in control, and what the regime's endgame is. Meanwhile the effort to crush the ruble doesn't seem to be working very well. Plus: the editors discuss the merits of "OK, groomer." 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