
Biden Presidency:
- Age is a liability for Biden and may affect his chances of re-election
- Despite age concerns, Biden has not shown significant physical or mental decline
- He has identified the gap between coastal elites and the working class as a core issue and is actively addressing it through policies such as the Inflation Reduction Act
- The economy has seen positive trends with low unemployment, rising wages, and declining inequality, benefiting the working class
- However, there are still doubts about Biden's ability to win re-election due to age and lack of an obvious alternative candidate within the Democratic Party
Trump Supporters:
- There is a wide variety of Trump supporters with different motivations and beliefs
- Some support Trump out of loyalty to their team or one-issue voting (e.g., abortion)
- Others see him as a champion against educated elites who have too much power
- The aggressive amoralism in Trump's worldview resonates with some supporters who believe that power is everything
Media Landscape:
- Distrust in media exists but can be exaggerated by both sides
- Social media has contributed to echo chambers where people only encounter information that confirms their existing beliefs
- The internet allows individuals to stay within their echo chamber without encountering opposing viewpoints in real life
- This reinforces confirmation bias and makes it harder for people to engage in constructive conversations based on shared facts
Meritocracy and Inequality:
- The definition of meritocracy has evolved over time, from emphasizing character traits like manly courage to IQ-based cognitive abilities
- AI technology will redefine what skills are considered meritorious and irreplaceable by machines
- Economic inequality remains a concern, with wealth concentration among older generations compared to younger ones
Social Media and its Impact:
- Friction has been removed on social media platforms
- Examples of people from different spheres interacting: Tom Hanks and Michelle Obama at the Democratic National Convention, David Brooks at the Republican convention
- Different media spheres create a divide in society
- Rise of people defending old-fashioned pluralism and liberalism
- Mention of various platforms promoting debate and discussions (Sam Harris' podcast, Substack, Persuasion, Free Press)
- The emergence of the "light web" as a platform for open discussion
Contrarianism in Media and Social Media:
- Some individuals have taken contrarian views to an extreme level
- The phenomenon of anti-establishment thinking where institutions are seen as always wrong or hypocritical
- Demand for apologies from elites for perceived mistakes in COVID response
- Apologies often ineffectual and can be disadvantageous politically