Sam Harris: Our Democracy Is Already Unraveling
The Bulwark Podcast
Deep Dive
Why did some tech public intellectuals enthusiastically support Trump?
They were radicalized by the moral errors and overreach of the far left, which captured institutions. The far fringe of the left had immense cultural influence, while the far fringe of the right did not, creating an asymmetry that some found galling.
What does Sam Harris identify as a key issue in the Democratic Party's failings?
Trans activism has done significant brand damage to the Democratic Party, alienating many voters. Harris argues that Kamala Harris's inability to disavow past support for certain trans policies, such as gender reassignment surgeries for incarcerated women, contributed to her loss.
How does Sam Harris view Elon Musk's influence on politics?
Harris sees Musk as a Twitter addict whose behavior is visibly deranged. He boosts conspiracy theories and makes odious online trolls more famous, while declaring war on normal people he perceives as enemies.
What does Sam Harris recommend for dealing with the current political landscape?
Harris suggests waiting to react immediately to hypothetical scenarios and focusing on what actually happens. This approach saves bandwidth and allows for more thoughtful responses when necessary.
Why does Sam Harris believe our democracy is already unraveling?
Harris argues that our democracy has been damaged by allowing Trump to lie about winning the 2020 election without penalty. This behavior has not been penalized and has been rewarded with a second term, leading to a moral injury and the Republican Party becoming a personality cult.
- Many tech and public intellectual figures lack intellectual integrity and comprehensive worldviews.
- Elon Musk and others show scars of being autodidacts, lacking academic and journalistic integrity.
- These individuals often have formative experiences with Ayn Rand and science fiction, leading to idiosyncratic views.
Shownotes Transcript