Keen On America

Cultural commentator David Masciotra joins to dissect Hollywood's recent troubles and why Gen Z is disengaging from cinema. He discusses the irony of 25 films flopping despite quality offerings and analyzes Paul Thomas Anderson's 'One Battle After Another' as a cultural touchstone. They explore the success of female leads like Jennifer Lawrence and Emma Stone, contrasting their appeal with a nostalgic male-centric industry. Masciotra also critiques the lack of engagement from young audiences, highlighting evolving gender dynamics in film.

Kristin Collier, a university professor and author of "What Debt Demands," shares her shocking story of discovering $200,000 in fraudulent student loans taken out by her mother. She explores how modern student debt resembles serfdom, with significant reforms making it nearly impossible to discharge during bankruptcy. Kristin advocates for debt cancellation and free public education, drawing parallels with global models. She highlights the emotional toll of debt and the need for systemic change to prevent financial instability.

Javier Marin, a Latino media entrepreneur and historian, discusses the monumental growth and influence of Hispanic television in the United States. He reveals that the U.S. is now the world’s second-largest Spanish-speaking country, driven by a surge in the Latino population. Marin explores how networks like Univision and Telemundo became powerful political players, influencing electoral outcomes while grappling with foreign ownership issues. He also highlights the cultural impact of these networks, from soccer's rise to the preservation of Latino identities in media.

In this discussion, Keith Teare, a veteran Silicon Valley entrepreneur, and Nirit Weissblatt, a researcher focused on technology communication, delve into the recent claims of a moral panic surrounding AI. Weissblatt argues that narratives of AI doom are organized and funded by influential figures, while Teare shares his skepticism about these narratives. They explore how young talent is drawn into existential-risk dialogue and the discrepancies in motivations among major AI players like OpenAI and Anthropic, questioning whether fears are based on valid concerns or mere conspiracies.

Aman Verjee, a venture capitalist and author, explores the intriguing patterns of financial bubbles, delving into historical phenomena like tulip mania and the dotcom boom. He argues that today’s AI market may echo past frenzies but is more complex, as today’s tech giants are profitable. Verjee shares insights from his time at PayPal, discussing how speculative booms can sometimes lay the groundwork for lasting innovation. He also addresses the challenges of predicting market crashes and reflects on the potential risks of AI-driven investments.

Shadi Hamid, a Washington Post columnist and author, presents a provocative take on U.S. power in the world. He argues America, despite its flaws, is still preferable to authoritarian regimes like China and Russia. Hamid reveals a dramatic decline in pride among progressives and warns of the dangers of self-loathing. He intriguingly views hypocrisy as a necessary byproduct of striving for ideals. Through his personal journey from anti-war activism to advocating for moral leadership, he insists America must continually aim high, even if perfection remains elusive.

Mikhail Zygar, a Russian-born journalist and author of *The Dark Side of the Earth*, connects the moral exhaustion of late-Soviet society with contemporary America. He argues that the U.S. faces a similar sense of nihilism as the Soviet Union before its collapse. Zygar intriguingly parallels Barack Obama with Gorbachev and Donald Trump with Yeltsin, suggesting America's future may have a Putin-like figure looming. He emphasizes how ordinary citizens can alter history, recalling the pivotal role of Emma Yazov during the Soviet coup.

William Hartung, a Senior research fellow at the Quincy Institute and co-author of The Trillion Dollar War Machine, dives into the alarming transformation of Silicon Valley into a modern military-industrial complex. He discusses how tech giants like Palantir are outpacing traditional defense contractors and critiques the escalating $1.5 trillion defense budget, which compromises vital social programs. Hartung also highlights Peter Thiel's controversial influence and warns against the risks of militarized AI, all while advocating for a more nuanced understanding of U.S. foreign policy.

Irin Carmon, a journalist and author of *Unbearable*, shares her insights on the disturbing trends in America's pregnancy landscape. She discusses the alarming maternal mortality rates and systemic discrimination faced by women of color. The conversation delves into how MAGA's pronatalist rhetoric contradicts essential support for families and ties to white supremacy. Irin also highlights personal stories of women enduring pregnancy-related injustices, emphasizing the need for compassionate care and the urgency to document these ongoing issues.

How to fix today’s epidemic of loneliness? For the New Yorker cartoonist and author Sophie Lucido Johnson, the answer involves both pigeons and polyamory. As she argues in her brand new book, Kin: The Future of Family, Johnson provides the tools to forge kinship in everything from asking for help on a grocery run, to choosing to have roommates later in life to combat loneliness, to living in modern day “mommunes” of single mothers sharing bills and responsibilities. And the pigeons and polyamory? Johnson draws on pigeon behavior—how pair-bonded birds navigate home more successfully than solitary ones—as a metaphor for human interdependence. Her own polyamorous life, detailed in her popular 2018 memoir Many Love, exemplifies her broader argument: that intentional, non-traditional relationship structures can provide a much richer web of connectivity than the isolated nuclear family. So the future of family goes way beyond traditional family. It’s pigeons, polyamory and mommunes. * The nuclear family is historically recent and economically failing. Johnson argues the isolated two-parent household is a post-industrial phenomenon—barely 150 years old—that leaves people emotionally and financially overburdened.* Loneliness is deadlier than obesity or alcoholism. Research shows chronic loneliness increases mortality more than smoking 15 cigarettes daily, primarily because isolated people lack support networks to catch health crises early.* Small acts of connection matter as much as close relationships. “Loose ties”—knowing your neighbors’ names, chatting at the grocery store—provide significant mental health benefits. Johnson advocates borrowing a bundt pan from a neighbor instead of ordering from Amazon.* Polyamory isn’t just about sex—it’s about intentional kinship. Johnson’s polyamorous practice means cultivating multiple committed relationships with extensive communication, creating a web of support that nuclear families can’t provide alone.* We need new language for chosen family. Johnson proposes “kin” for people who are more than friends but outside traditional family structures—roommates, co-parents in “mommunes,” neighbors who share resources—arguing blood ties shouldn’t define our primary support networks.* 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