Keen On America

Spike Cohen, a prominent libertarian activist and the Libertarian Party's 2020 vice presidential nominee, shares his views on the essence of libertarianism as the 'principle of human respect.' He critiques both major political parties, emphasizing how government overreach creates societal issues rather than solving them. Cohen also discusses the troubling federal funding schemes that facilitate family separations and argues that Donald Trump has failed libertarian values by expanding government debt and spending, betraying his supporters in the process.

According to Deborah Baker, author of Charlottesville: An American Story, America has become the Charlottesville of the Unite the Right Rally of August 12, 2017. Baker, who grew up in Charlottesville in the shadow of Jefferson's Monticello, watched in shock as neo-Nazis marched through her hometown in August 2017 with torches and flags. What began as her attempt to understand how such hatred could manifest in a progressive college town became a deeper reckoning with America's buried histories and recurring tragedies. The fascist ideologies that once seemed confined to internet forums and fringe rallies have now, she argues, been institutionalized at the highest levels of government. The warning signs were there in 2017—but too many people, from university administrators to progressive leaders, chose to look away. If we close our eyes, she warns, it won’t go away. five key takeaways1. America Has Institutionalized ExtremismWhat began as fringe internet movements and basement trolling has now moved into the mainstream of American politics and government institutions. The ideologies that shocked people in Charlottesville 2017 are now, according to Baker, embedded at the highest levels of power.2. Progressive Institutions Failed to Take the Threat SeriouslyUniversity administrators, mayors, and police chiefs in liberal Charlottesville told citizens to "stay home" and ignore the approaching Unite the Right rally. This pattern of progressive leadership closing their eyes to fascist organizing represents a dangerous institutional failure that continues today.3. White Supremacy Has Always Married Anti-Semitism with Anti-Black RacismThe Nazi flags at Charlottesville weren't separate from the Confederate monuments debate. White supremacist ideology consistently portrays Jews as the puppet masters behind Black civil rights movements, combining European fascism with Southern white supremacy into a unified hateful worldview.4. America's "Buried Histories" Keep RepeatingBaker discovered that Charlottesville had experienced a similar white supremacist rally in the 1950s that had been completely forgotten. This pattern of burying ugly chapters allows the same mistakes to be repeated, as communities fail to learn from their past encounters with organized hate.5. Economic and Political Destabilization Creates Fertile Ground for FascismThe conditions that radicalized figures like Richard Spencer include the "forever wars," the 2008 financial crisis, and the broader betrayal of working-class Americans. These "self-inflicted wounds" by American institutions create the chaos that fascist movements exploit to gain followers.Deborah Baker was born in Charlottesville and grew up in Virginia, Puerto Rico and New England. She attended the University of Virginia and Cambridge University. Her first book, written in college, was Making a Farm: The Life of Robert Bly, published by Beacon Press in 1982. After working as a book editor and publisher, in 1990 she moved to Calcutta where she wrote In Extremis; The Life of Laura Riding. Published by Grove Press and Hamish Hamilton in the UK, it was shortlisted for the Pulitzer Prize in Biography in 1994. Her third book, A Blue Hand: The Beats in India was published by Penguin Press USA and Penguin India in 2008. In 2008–2009 she was a Fellow at the Dorothy and Lewis C. Cullman Center for Writers and Scholars at The New York Public Library. There she researched and wrote The Convert: A Tale of Exile and Extremism, a narrative account of the life of an American convert to Islam. Published by Graywolf and Penguin India, The Convert was a finalist for the 2011 National Book Award in Non-Fiction. The Last Englishmen: Love, War and the End of Empire was published in October 2018. For this book she received a Whiting Creative Non-fiction grant and a Guggenheim fellowship. Charlottesville is her sixth work of narrative non-fiction. She is married to the writer Amitav Ghosh and lives in Brooklyn and Charlottesville.Named as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting the daily KEEN ON show, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy interview series. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children.Keen On America is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit keenon.substack.com/subscribe

Jonathan Rauch, a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institution and contributor to The Atlantic, discusses the concept of 'Postmodern Patrimonialism' to analyze Trump's governance. He argues that Trump's chaotic, venture-capital-like strategy aims to overwhelm opposition through simultaneous initiatives. This approach has caused institutional breakdown in Congress, leading to a growing executive power. Rauch highlights Gavin Newsom's emergence as a key figure opposing Trump, and delves into the challenges facing universities and legal frameworks amidst political strife.

Valerie Durham, CEO of FreedomFest, promotes libertarianism as a quintessentially American philosophy emphasizing personal choice and minimal government. She advocates for radical ideas such as privatizing public utilities and eliminating taxes for a user-fee model. The conversation dives into how FreedomFest gathers diverse voices, including Cornell West and RFK Jr., to foster cross-partisan dialogue. Durham critiques both major parties, pushing for a politics that transcends binary divisions and focuses on liberty and innovation in modern society.

Karen Hao, an award-winning journalist, dives deep into the controversial practices of OpenAI, likening it to the British East India Company. She argues that OpenAI’s facade of altruism masks a profit-driven empire that exploits vulnerable communities while causing environmental harm. The conversation unveils the risks of unchecked corporate power in AI, the historical parallels of technological colonialism, and the pressing need for ethical governance. Hao also critiques the rapid scaling strategy, suggesting an alternative approach prioritizing sustainability over profit.

Bethanne Patrick, a LATimes book critic and host of the Missing Pages podcast, dives into the complex landscape of contemporary nonfiction. She explores Melissa Fibos' year of celibacy, highlighting themes of self-discovery over toxic romance. Discussion shifts to Thomas Chatterton Williams' critique of identity politics and racial discourse, alongside the absurdity captured in Damon Young's anthology. Patrick also examines AI's growing influence, questioning its implications for authentic connection and societal discourse in an age marked by anxiety and isolation.

Keith Teare, publisher of That Was The Week newsletter, dives into AI's promise of abundance, questioning whether it's a Silicon Valley fantasy or a feasible future. He argues that while AI could boost productivity, the distribution of wealth remains a critical concern, potentially leading to inequality. Teare contrasts two futures: a techno-feudal system versus a socially equitable one. He highlights innovations like WorldCoin as potential solutions, but warns without effort, AI's potential could turn into the ultimate scarcity trap.

Tom Arnold-Forster, a Kinder Career Development Fellow at Oxford, delves into Walter Lippmann's prescient ideas on media and democracy. He explores how Lippmann identified the paradox of uninformed citizenry in an overly complex world, tying it to the current Trump-Musk social media drama. The discussion unpacks the concept of 'manufactured consent' and critiques AI as a modern stereotype machine. Arnold-Forster also reflects on Lippmann's evolving perspectives during pivotal political moments and the detrimental impact of media ownership on journalism integrity.

Ibram X. Kendi, National Book Award-winning author and scholar of anti-racism, delves into his controversial role in today’s discourse. He draws parallels between 1960s Black student activism and current Gaza protests, arguing that critics distort his work to create a 'boogeyman' narrative. Kendi discusses the evolution of campus activism, the current dynamics of racism, and the impact of government policies. With excitement for his new role at Howard University, he emphasizes the importance of rational dialogue in combating racism and advancing anti-racism scholarship.

Join literary critic Bethanne Patrick, known for her insightful reviews at the Los Angeles Times and as the host of Missing Pages, as she explores the intersection of environment and morality. Discover how French women resisted Nazis while being overlooked in history, and delve into the alarming ties between pollution and serial killers like Ted Bundy. Learn about the legacy of Mother Emanuel AME Church and the nuances of forgiveness and resilience in the face of injustice. Each narrative weaves a complex tapestry of human behavior shaped by both trauma and triumph.