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