Wisdom of Crowds

In this engaging discussion, Harvard philosopher Michael J. Sandel shares insights on community, democracy, and why public moral discourse matters. His son, Adam Sandel, adds depth by discussing the fragility of institutions and how modern pressures lead to isolation. Music director Teddy Abrams illustrates how arts can mend civic divides, showcasing the Louisville Orchestra's innovative residency programs. Together, they explore rebuilding community ties and engaging in meaningful deliberation, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences for a healthier democracy.

Robert Malley, a veteran American diplomat and Middle East expert, discusses his new book, focusing on the deep historical and emotional roots of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He argues that past traumas shape today's responses and critiques the limitations of liberal peacemaking. Malley emphasizes that any solution must acknowledge both sides' core yearnings. The conversation also explores the potential for generational shifts in U.S. policy to foster peace, while suggesting alternative frameworks to the traditional two-state solution.

In this engaging discussion, Samuel Kimbriel, a philosopher-in-residence, and Shadi Hamid, a political analyst, delve into the complex interplay between Christianity and politics. Kimbriel explores the tensions of aligning faith with political success, while Hamid critiques the use of religion in American political narratives. They examine the implications of forgiveness in politics, question the existence of a 'true' Christianity, and reflect on how faith shapes public life. Together, they challenge conventional views, making for a thought-provoking dialogue.

In this conversation, Jordan Castro, a writer and deputy director of the Cluny Project, discusses his new novel, Muscle Man. He explores themes of masculinity, loneliness, and the mind-body connection. Castro delves into the protagonist's self-loathing and how weightlifting serves as a coping mechanism. The chat also highlights the novel's anti-campus elements, the role of humor, and the impact of modern alienation. Castro emphasizes the need for empathy in understanding flawed characters amidst today's societal pressures.

Geoff Shullenberger, managing editor of Compact and a political culture writer, dives into the disturbing rise of targeted political assassinations, spurred by recent events like the assassination of Charlie Kirk. He examines how the landscape of political violence has transformed, moving from mass shootings to precise hits. Historical comparisons to 1960s radicals provide context, while discussions around left- versus right-wing violence blur traditional labels. Ultimately, Geoff suggests much of this violence might be senseless, challenging our need for meaning.

Our episode this week is more on the serious and somber side. Shadi Hamid and Damir Marusic discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk and speculate about its consequences. What are we learning about America and American politics in the wake of that horrible shooting? Is America heading toward low-grade civil war—like the Years of Lead in Italy during the 1970s? Does the Right control the culture and the media—and will it use this event to expand its political power? Does the Left have a problem with violence? Do we even have an opposition party?In light of how Trump has reacted to the Kirk shooting, Shadi begins with a mea culpa for having criticized the Left for its illiberalism in the past: it looks like the Right is worse. But Damir disagrees: what we are seeing now is an “inversion of what we had a few years ago,” though perhaps a bit worse. Shadi thinks out loud: “you’d think that having power would make you more magnanimous,” while instead, both sides “when they’re winning, they act like they’re losing.”So what is the prognosis? Shadi thinks the Right is an existential threat to American democracy. Damir says, “we are a turd spiraling down a toilet,” and we are currently on the Right side of the spiral — but “the spiral began before.”We are making this episode free for all subscribers — the issues discussed touch at the core of our mission at Wisdom of Crowds. As Shadi put it, Charlie Kirk, however different his ideology was from our own, was “someone I could’ve known, who could’ve been at my house.” The episode concludes with discussions of possible civil war, whether political categories make sense with regard to assassinations, and why the Years of Lead might be an apt analogy for what is developing in America right now.Required Reading and Viewing:* Donald Trump’s appearance on Fox & Friends (YouTube). * The Years of Lead in Italy (Wikipedia). * Shadi, “My Faith in America is Being Sorely Tested” (WoC). * Ukrainian woman stabbed (ABC). * Shadi, “Think you’re above conspiracy theories? Don’t be so sure” (Washington Post). Full video below:Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wisdomofcrowds.live/subscribe

The Lyceum Movement is a nationwide grassroots organization that aims to build a healthier public discourse by bringing diverse groups of people together to investigate first principles. Every August, Lyceum hosts a big event in Des Moines: the Tallgrass Ideas Festival. And for the last three years, Wisdom of Crowds has been there, hosting a live taping of our podcast.This year, the Festival’s theme was trust. We hosted an episode about trust and technology, a topic on everybody’s mind. Our two guests were Daniel Corrigan, a philosophy professor at Iowa State University who focuses on the theory and practice of rights, and August Lamm, an artist, activist and writer who has distinguished herself by leading an active creative life completely off the grid — in New York, to boot. This was an engaging conversation about AI, work, time and happiness. I think it’s one of our best this year.Santiago Ramos starts the conversation with a quote from the late Henry Kissinger, who claimed that trusting AI requires more blind faith than the scientific method. Are we becoming less modern when we trust the “mechanical oracle” of AI? What does it mean to trust AI? Daniel, in his philosophical way, clarifies the terms. We can only trust people, he says, not machines. Machines can be reliable, but not trustworthy. So the question is: do we trust the companies that make the machines? August, for her part, says that we need to go back to first principles. Why do we need these machines in the first place? Why do we need social media? Why do we need AI? Why do we need everything to be so fast?The episode concludes with some interesting questions from the audience, about AI and natural resources; the difficulty discerning reality from fantasy; and how we can make software better. It’s well worth your time.Required Reading:* The Kissinger quote comes from this article.* Palantir’s one-pound contract with the British NHS.* Lyceum Movement. * Tallgrass Festival of Ideas.* Daniel Corrigan webpage on Philpapers.* August Lamm’s homepage.* Santiago Ramos, “The People v. the Oracle” (WoC). Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wisdomofcrowds.live/subscribe

A special treat from the Aspen Ideas Festival: a panel discussion about American community and politics, featuring a father–son philosophical duo.Michael J. Sandel is a professor at Harvard University, where he teaches political philosophy. His famous “Justice” course has been viewed by tens of millions worldwide. His son, Adam Sandel, is a philosopher, award-winning teacher, and holder of the Guinness World Record for most pull-ups in one minute. Together with Samuel Kimbriel, Wisdom of Crowds’ in-house philosopher, they discuss community, democracy, the evolving nature of justice, the importance of constructive visions for community, and the role of music in bridging divides. Tune in for a substantive and inspiring reflection on the meaning of democracy.Required Reading:* Adam Sandel, Happiness In Action: A Philosopher’s Guide to the Good Life (Amazon). * Michael Sandel, The Tyranny of Merit: Can We Find the Common Good? (Amazon).* Samuel Kimbriel, Friendship as Sacred Knowing: Overcoming Isolation (Amazon). Wisdom of Crowds is a platform challenging premises and understanding first principles on politics and culture. Join us! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wisdomofcrowds.live/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit wisdomofcrowds.liveAmerican Primeval on Netflix. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives on Hulu. Ballerina Farm on Instagram. American culture is living through a Mormon moment. It is a sign that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is growing in confidence and strength. But what are the drawbacks to becoming mainstream? What are the trade-offs involved in American liberalism? What can those of us who are not part of the LDS Church learn from the Mormon moment?Here to discuss this and more is Zachary Davis, the Executive Director of Faith Matters and Editor of the LDS magazine Wayfare. Zach is also a veteran podcaster, having hosted the podcasts Ministry of Ideas and Writ Large.The discussion begins with Santiago Ramos asking Zach for an account of LDS history, contrasting it with its depiction in American Primeval, the Netflix show. Christine Emba then asks about the various pop culture phenomena that have emerged within LDS culture. The conversation covers recent LDS history, as well as reflections on the costs of assimilation and how American liberalism can benefit from the growth of the LDS Church.In our bonus section for paid subscribers, Christina and Zach discuss Ballerina Farm; Zach explains LDS attitudes toward Trump; Santiago asks Zach whether he has hope for the future of America; Zach explains that Mormons believe the American Constitution is a sacred document; why Mormons love Muslims; rethinking first (theological) principles; and more!Required Reading:* Wayfare magazine.* McCay Coppins, Romney: A Reckoning (Amazon).* Jonathan Rausch, Cross Purposes: Christianity's Broken Bargain with Democracy (Amazon).* Jon Krakauer, Under the Banner of Heaven (Amazon). * Public polling re: LDS (Pew Research).* American Primeval (Netflix).* Ballerina Farm (official website).* Secret Lives of Mormon Wives (Hulu).* The Soloists (Substack).* Romney’s 47 percent comment (MSNBC).* Utah rankings (U.S. News and World Report).Free preview video:Full video for paid subscribers below:

President Donald Trump federalized DC law enforcement this week, raising all sorts of questions — about democracy, authoritarianism, sovereignty and legitimacy — that are natural fits for us to discuss here at Wisdom of Crowds. Yes, Trump’s use of emergency powers to justify the takeover is constitutional, even if he is stretching the concept of what counts as an emergency. But Damir Marusic feels like things took a much darker turn this week, and nobody seems to have noticed. Weren’t people in the streets at the mere suggestion that Trump would deploy troops to American cities four years ago — when doing so was arguably much more justified? Shadi Hamid thinks many Democrats are just too disgusted by their own party to be able to muster a response. What’s the point? Anyway, like most Trump stuff, this is all just theater — Potemkin policing. Our democracy is still fine, isn’t it?…isn’t it?Required Reading:* “Trump has brilliantly orchestrated a legal coup,” by Kathleen Parker (WaPo).* “Donald Trump, DC Police Commissioner,” b y the Editorial Board (WSJ). This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wisdomofcrowds.live/subscribe