Wisdom of Crowds

Tamar Gendler, a Yale philosopher specializing in philosophical psychology, delves into the nature of trust and its political implications. She debates whether humans are naturally suspicious or inherently social beings. Gendler discusses the importance of context in trust, contrasting Hobbes' individualism with Aristotle's view of humans as community-oriented. The conversation also explores how institutions can restore trust and prevent betrayal, highlighting the delicate balance between communal harmony and the need for security.

Leah Libresco Sargeant, an author and policy advocate, discusses her book, The Dignity of Dependence. She emphasizes that women's equality should not rely on interchangeability with men. The conversation explores reframing dependence as a normal part of life and proposes policies like caregiver credits. Leah critiques rigid workplace norms that disadvantage pregnant workers and argues for designing jobs for human bodies. The hosts debate the balance between natural differences and societal changes, ultimately advocating for mutual care in communities.

Tyler Cowen, an economics professor at George Mason University and acclaimed author, dives into the complexities of contemporary America. He discusses the essence of Trumpism and its historical roots, highlighting America's unique liberal values and the tensions surrounding the American Dream. Cowen explores the impact of technology and AI on political community, arguing it may centralize power while also raising questions of national sovereignty. He emphasizes that despite challenges, the U.S. maintains an unusual level of unity amidst populist trends.

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