The Remnant with Jonah Goldberg
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A Cynical Man
Snowbound in the depths of Pennsylvania, Jonah invites the inimitable Yuval Levin back to the Remnant for a philosophical yet accessible conversation on the responsibilities we face as members of a free society. What?s the best way to approach political and civic life in the United States, and how should we treat our institutions? For that matter, why is cynicism harmful? Can higher education be fixed? And is the internet damaging democracy?
Show Notes:
- A Time to Build, still available from all good booksellers
- Yuval: ?The Constitution and National Unity?
- Yuval?s ideas for repairing democracy
- Robert Nisbet?s The Quest for Community
- Arnold Kling: ?How the Internet Turned Bad?
- Yuval: ?Politics After the Internet?
- Megan McArdle: ?It?s time for major institutions to make their employees get off of Twitter?
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Three Years of The Dispatch
It?s that time again: We?ve reached The Dispatch?s third birthday, and to celebrate, Jonah invites Steve Hayes back to the Remnant to discuss the state of the institution. With water in hand rather than alcohol, they reflect on The Dispatch?s internal growth, its departure from Substack, and some of the most memorable events of the past year. Then, they preview some exciting plans for the future while addressing a few important questions: What sets The Dispatch apart? Will the fabled Dispatch app ever be invented? And how optimistic should we be about American political life?
Show Notes:
- The Morning Dispatch walks you through the new Dispatch website
- Neil Postman?s Amusing Ourselves to Death
- James Stewart?s Follow the Story
- David Freedlander: ?Why Republicans Stopped Talking to the Press?
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Inflationary Fever
In yet another self-indulgent extravaganza, Jonah tackles political topics both old and new in today's Ruminant. Leading off with current events, Jonah gives his thoughts on the final January 6th hearings and inflation?s tendency to make all other ills hurt worse. Next, in a fit of righteous indignation, Jonah dives deeply into his seemingly bottomless pit of Woodrow Wilson hatred to discuss the historic memory-holing of Wilson?s transgressions and their growing appreciation among the mainstream. Things are finally capped off with a lengthy discussion of tribalism, urban politics, and the failures of universities.
Producer?s note: This episode contains an abundance of Woodrow Wilson references. Out of concern for listeners? sanity, the musical cue was reserved for only the most poignant of mentions.
Show Notes:
- Rick Perlstein: ?When America Had a Moral Panic Over Inflation?
- The New York Times reviews American Midnight
- Jonah: ?Of Memory Holes and Memory Buriers?
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Men of the People
To mark the arrival of The Dispatch?s new website, Jonah invites Kevin Williamson back to the Remnant for another nerdishly random conversation. They begin by discussing the oppression of the QWERTY keyboard, strange quirks of the free market, and the benefits of democracy, before turning to the legacy of the New Deal and pressing matters of rank punditry. Will the Remnant ever become the majority? Have Kevin?s anarchic instincts mellowed? And what does the future hold for The Dispatch?
Show Notes:
- Kevin?s page at The Dispatch
- The horseshoe crab: same as it ever was?
- Jonah: ?Slouching Towards the Old World?
- Robert Higgs? Crisis and Leviathan
- Amity Shlaes' The Forgotten Man
- Kevin?s The End Is Near and It?s Going to Be Awesome
- Kevin: ??A Normal Politician??
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Way Down Under
While Jonah flees the oppressive heat of Texas, Sarah Isgur takes control of the Remnant with weird and wonderful results. She?s joined by Jonathan Swan of Axios, and her uncomfortably personal lines of questioning?which cover kangaroo meat, childhood crushes, and the pains of immigration?may discourage him from ever returning. Serious conversation is also mixed in on the midterm elections, which raises a number of questions: How are Trump?s picks likely to perform in November? What will our parties look like in 10 years? And are campaign staffers dragging Democratic politicians to the cultural left?
Show Notes:
- Sarah?s page at The Dispatch
- The Herschel Walker situation
- Jonathan: ?Trumpier Than Trump?
- Jonathan: ?Team Trump Sees Special Masters as Deep FBI Skeptic?
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Breaking Bourgeois
In a defiant act against the forces that seek to make his recordings shorter, Jonah delivers an especially self-indulgent Ruminant that covers an eclectic range of topics. Following a lengthy period of proverbial throat-clearing, Jonah begins by discussing news of Ben Sasse?s departure from the Senate and tensions within the ?Never Trump? wing of conservative politics. Things then take a philosophical turn as Jonah explores the narcissism of small differences, arrogance of intellect, and why Republicans and Democrats irrationally undermine electoral institutions at their own peril. Stick around until the end for some thoughts on Mitch McConnell and a touch of much needed housekeeping.
Show Notes:
Link to episode
Clouds Over Coffey
Klon Kitchen, The Dispatch?s resident foreign policy maestro, takes control of the Remnant today with predictably wonky results. His guest is Luke Coffey, a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute who shares his expertise on national security. Together, they take a deep dive into the ongoing Ukraine conflict, exploring how things have changed since it began and what we can expect in the coming months. What tactics have the Ukrainians been employing? At this point, what is Putin?s goal? And could Russia use a nuclear weapon?
Show Notes:
- Luke?s Hudson Institute webpage
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Day of the Tentacles
On the mend from a hectic book tour, the ever-reliable Chris Stirewalt returns to the Remnant for some old fashioned rank punditry on partisanship, the midterms, and America?s changing demographics. After discussing the Herschel Walker situation, MAGA?s hatred of Mitch McConnell, and the allure of strange aspects of Japanese culture, Chris and Jonah answer some of the most pressing questions of the moment. Will the Dobbs decision have much influence on the midterms? Is there anything good about primaries? And why can?t politicians talk about how great it is to be alive right now?
Show Notes:
- Chris? new book, Broken News
- Nick Catoggio: ?Forget the Polls. Let?s Talk About Vibes.?
- Sean Trende: ?Setting Expectations for the House in 2022 Midterms?
- The Remnant with Ruy Teixeira
- The Remnant with Elaine Kamarck
- David Frum: ?If Liberals Won?t Enforce Borders, Fascists Will?
- Dexter Filkins profiles Ron DeSantis
- David Foster Wallace?s Kenyon College commencement speech
- Join The Dispatch?s What?s Next conference in Naples, Florida
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Pipe Dreams
On today?s characteristically rambly Ruminant, Jonah seeks to weave a web between current events, history, and philosophy. After briefly theorizing about the identity of the Nord Stream pipeline?s saboteur, Jonah returns to his Liberal Fascism roots to explore the differences between German and Italian fascism and their shared reliance on hyper-nationalism. Next, he addresses the conservative movement?s roots in American exceptionalism and the new right?s embrace of European-style populism. Then, in a contemplative end to the episode, Jonah reflects on his newfound knowledge of rodentology by considering the potential consequences of incestuous rat relationships.
Show Notes:
- The Dispatch Podcast on the Nord Stream sabotage
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Manning Up
Richard Reeves of the hated Brookings Institution joins the Remnant for the first time to discuss his new book, Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do About It. In a moment where the family unit is collapsing, gender differences in education are becoming more pronounced, and large numbers of men are withdrawing entirely from the workforce, it?s vital to explore what?s driving these trends and whether they can be reversed. Why is fatherhood important? What defines true masculinity? And how have young men changed psychologically in recent years?
Show Notes:
- The Remnant (on rats!) with Dr. Michael Parsons
- Richard?s new book, Of Boys and Men
- Richard: ?No, the Boys Are Not Doing Just Fine?
- Richard: ?Why Boys Should Start School a Year Later Than Girls?
- The Remnant with Nick Eberstadt
- Jonathan Haidt: ?Facebook?s Dangerous Experiment on Teen Girls?
- Richard joins Coleman Hughes? podcast
- Richard and Jonathan Haidt?s illustrated guide to John Stuart Mill
- The Remnant with Brent Orrell
- ?The Tenuous Attachments of Working-Class Men?
- Daniel Cox: ?American Men Suffer a Friendship Recession?
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Aw, Rats
For years, Jonah roamed the moors of the internet in search of a particular kind of expert to host on the Remnant, but his efforts seemed in vain. At last, however, his sacrifices to Baal have been answered. Today, Dr. Michael H. Parsons, an expert on rodentology at Fordham University, joins the program to discuss everything you could possibly want to know about rats, their behavior, and why controlling them in urban areas is so difficult. What does rat culture look like? How do rats really feel about people? Why are certain cities plagued by them while others seem untainted? And should you be concerned by Jonah?s exceptionally good mood?
Show Notes:
- Dr. Parsons: ?Better rat control in cities starts by changing human behavior?
- Dr. Parsons: ?Revealing the secret lives of urban rats?
- Dr. Kelly Lambert?s rat research
- Does New York have more rats than people?
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Maternal Instincts
Coming to you from a thunderous Sioux Falls, today?s Ruminant features a distinctly Goldbergian potpourri of rank punditry and eggheadery. Jonah begins by discussing the merits of the Letitia James lawsuit, his general distaste for enthusiasm, and Trump?s cavalier treatment of classified materials. After a not-so-brief foray into the consequences of the left?s pro-truth hypocrisy, things end on an esoteric note as Jonah contemplates pragmatism and the philosophical differences between the New Deal and the Great Society.
Show Notes:
- Eli Lake: ?Framed and Guilty?
- The Atlantic: ?Separating Sports by Sex Doesn?t Make Sense?
- The Fair Jessica?s review of The Frailty Myth
- Chelsea Conaboy: ?Maternal Instinct Is a Myth That Men Created?
- Jonah: ?Both Parties Are to Blame for the Immigration Crisis?
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Hardly Working
Nicholas Eberstadt, AEI?s Henry Wendt Chair in Political Economy, makes an overdue Remnant return to discuss his new book, Men Without Work: Post-Pandemic Edition, an expanded version of his 2016 release which examined the collapse of work for men in modern America. Why are increasingly large numbers of men abandoning the workforce? Is something similar going on with women? And what will be the social, cultural, and economic effects of this trend? Tune in to hear these questions answered, and to hear some reflections on why work is valuable in the first place.
Show Notes:
- Men Without Work: Post-Pandemic Edition
- Dr. Eberstadt: ?What?s Behind the Flight from Work in Post-Pandemic America?
- The Remnant with Michael Strain
- Charles Murray?s Coming Apart
- The Remnant with Marian Tupy
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Strain?s New Respect
Michael Strain, Remnant regular and beloved economic policy wonk at AEI, returns to the program to explore the state of inflation and kvetch about the Federal Reserve. He and Jonah also provide some unwashed commentary on House of the Dragon, discuss whether economics really is a dismal science, and mix in some thoughts on the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict. Can inflation be fought at the state level? When should economics and politics mix? And is it possible for a Remnant episode to be too long and nerdy?
Show Notes:
- Jonah: ?Not Everything Is a Morality Tale?
- Celebrate Kevin D. Williamson?s arrival at The Dispatch with a 30-day free trial
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Somebody?s Watching Me
Live and under-caffeinated from a mysterious compound buried deep in the Adirondacks, Jonah focuses today?s Ruminant on nationalism, liberalism, and the American tradition. After providing an update on the state of The Dispatch and a few thoughts on integrity in politics, he launches into an epic rant on the recent National Conservatism Conference in Miami and the movement behind it. Throughout, he?s keen to stress a particular point: Our constitutional order still works.
Show Notes:
Link to episode
Serious Thrills
Determined to reclaim his Remnant throne from Chris Stirewalt, Jim Geraghty returns to the program to discuss his new thriller, Gathering Five Storms. The novel also provides a launch pad for some exceedingly rank punditry on Russia, the midterms, and the state of the Republican Party. Earlier in the year, it seemed certain that the GOP would make significant gains in November, but is that still the case? For that matter, why does the foreign policy establishment seem to get so many things wrong? How does writing fiction compare to writing about politics? And can any pundit match Jim?s Trump impression?
Show Notes:
- Jim?s page at National Review
- Jim?s new novel, Gathering Five Storms
- Jonah and Yuval Levin?s first Remnant encounter
- Jim: ?Control of the Senate Is Still a Jump Ball?
- Jim: ?Does AOC Want to Be Anything More Than a Celebrity??
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Down to the Roots
On today?s Ruminant, Jonah provides a distinctly Goldbergian fusion of punditry and nerdery. After evaluating Joe Biden?s use of the phrase ?MAGA Republicans? and offering a few further thoughts on the Philadelphia speech, he discusses Steve Bannon?s arrest, the ongoing fallout from the Mar-a-Lago raid, and Gov. Greg Abbott?s migrant busing policy. It all ends on a philosophical note, as Jonah reflects on the distinction between conservatism and radicalism.
Show Notes:
- Muriel Bowser declares a public emergency
- Andy McCarthy on Bannon?s indictment
- The Dispatch Podcast on the Mar-a-Lago investigation
- The pandemic erased two years of progress in math and reading
- The Remnant with Matt Continetti
- Leo Ribuffo?s The Old Christian Right
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Crime After Crime
It?s been a while since the Remnant featured an expert on crime, but today, Manhattan Institute fellow Rafael Mangual joins the program to fill that void. Recently, Rafael published Criminal (In)Justice, in which he argues against decarceration and depolicing. Using that book as a launch pad, he and Jonah discuss the sociological factors behind criminality, how crime can be deterred, and why the U.S. is an outlier in its incarceration rate. Plenty of policy wonkery is also mixed in.
Show Notes:
- Rafael?s Manhattan Institute webpage
- Rafael?s new book, Criminal (In)Justice
- Rafael: ?The Cost of Decarceration?
- Jonah: ?Abolishing Police Departments Is Insane?
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Apocalypse Maybe
Cato Institute uberwonk Marian Tupy returns to the Remnant to discuss his new book, Superabundance: The Story of Population Growth, Innovation, and Human Flourishing on an Infinitely Bountiful Planet. For some time, the idea that overpopulation will deplete the world of its resources has been popular in sociology. In this extra-long, extra-nerdy outing, Marian explains why its proponents are mistaken. He and Jonah also explore how nations become prosperous, the problem of collapsing fertility rates, and the appeal of apocalyptic predictions.
Show Notes:
- Marian?s page at the Cato Institute
- Marian and Gale L. Pooley?s new book, Superabundance
- Jane Goodall and Prince Harry on sustainability
- Nick Eberstadt: ?The Americans Who Never Went Back to Work After the Pandemic?
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Forever Twirling
With no preparation and last minute coordination, the drive-time Remnant format returns. Today?s pointlessly random audio adventure covers Biden?s polarizing speech in Philadelphia, Jonah?s unique theory of what happened at Mar-a-Lago, and the dark connection between fast food magnates and conservative think tanks. Musings on TV, movies, and the strange nature of the solo Ruminant are also mixed in. Plus, stick around until the end for some breaking news about The Dispatch.
Show Notes:
- Marc Thiessen: ?Biden is disgracing the institution of the prime-time presidential address?
- Jimmy Carter?s malaise speech
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The Heroine Diaries
Katherine Mangu-Ward is back on the Remnant, and although Jonah had planned on hosting her for an episode of rank punditry, their conversation takes a more philosophical turn instead. After digging into the weeds of libertarian philosophy, the nature of the social good, and the relationship between libertarianism and feminism, they explore a potpourri of topics ranging from drug liberalization to the transgender debate. Be prepared for unfettered nerdery.
Show Notes:
- The Remnant with Sarah Isgur
- David Friedman on medieval Iceland
- The Remnant with Megan McArdle
- Nate Cohn: ?How Educational Differences Are Widening America?s Political Rift?
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Over the Limit
It?s a Dispatch crossover on today?s Remnant, as Sarah Isgur returns to the program to explore the aftermath of the Mar-a-Lago raid, the meaning of executive privilege, and whether this situation can be compared with the Hillary Clinton email controversy. There?s also an extended discussion of child-rearing and the neuroscience of motherhood prompted by a recent New York Times op-ed. Oh, and a look at Sarah?s strange relationship with spiders.
Show Notes:
- Who gets to classify (and declassify) government secrets?
- Chelsea Conaboy: ?Maternal Instinct Is a Myth That Men Created?
- Caroline Criado-Perez? Invisible Women
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Happy Families
Poised to return from Maine, Jonah?s in especially scatterbrained form on today?s eclectic Ruminant. He begins the program by expanding on Wednesday?s ?news?letter and offering some further thoughts on the problematic relationship between data and audiences in today?s media space. Afterward, he addresses Biden?s ?morally and politically indefensible? student loan forgiveness plan, the foolishness of politicians who don?t know what they believe, and the nature of a life well lived. Stick around until the end for ruminations on nationalism and fulfillment.
Show Notes:
- James C. Scott?s Seeing Like a State
- The Remnant with Klon Kitchen
- The Remnant with Chris Stirewalt
- Jason Furman?s critique of Biden?s student loan plan
- The Washington Post editorial page blasts Biden
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Exit the Dragon
The Remnant offers two guests in one today, as AEI scholars Hal Brands and Michael Beckley join the program to discuss their new book, Danger Zone: The Coming Conflict with China. With the United States and China running a ?superpower marathon,? how can we expect the competition to resolve, and is there an appropriate historical analogy for China?s current state? Furthermore, what foreign policy should we pursue toward China? Can China make a stable transition to democracy? And will Michael go down in Remnant history as the only guest to join from the back of an Uber?
Show Notes:
- Hal and Michael?s new book, Danger Zone
- Hal and Michael: ?What Does China Want??
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His Boy Friday
Chris Stirewalt makes his long-awaited twentieth Remnant appearance today to discuss his new book, Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divides America and How to Fight Back. It?s a giant-sized extravaganza of an episode, which covers the evolution of America?s major news networks, the need for journalism to be vocational rather than professional, and the nature of ?fair and balanced? media coverage. Ultimately, Chris is keen to stress a particular point: Americanism is central to American journalism.
Show Notes:
- Chris? new book, Broken News
- Chris previews Broken News in The Dispatch
- Yuval Levin?s The Fractured Republic
- Andrey Mir: ?How the Media Polarized Us?
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Keeping Cool
Entering the final week of his sojourn in Maine, Jonah begins today?s Ruminant with an account of a drive he recently took to Chautauqua, New York and a reflection on the joys of travel. He also offers a few thoughts on free speech and the stabbing of Salman Rushdie, as well as the nature of patriotism and the importance of gratitude for the things we?ve inherited. The episode concludes with some especially ranty punditry on Liz Cheney?s defeat and ludicrous explanations for why Trump took classified documents to Mar-a-Lago. Plus, there?s an appeal for you, our listeners, to suggest future guests for the program, provided they meet certain strange criteria.
Show Notes:
- The Remnant with Russ Roberts
- Yuval Levin: ?Conservatism is Gratitude?
- Jonah on ?fundamentally transforming? America
- Duke?s bipartisanship leaderboard
- The Remnant with Carlos Lozada
- The Dispatch Podcast on Liz Cheney?s defeat
- Jonah: ?The Only Adult in the Room?
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Free to Choose
What constitutes a life well lived, and what does it mean to truly flourish? Noted economist Russ Roberts provides answers to these pressing questions on today?s Remnant, which concerns his new book, Wild Problems: A Guide to the Decisions That Define Us. In life, we?re faced with many big decisions that can?t be solved by calculation, like when to marry, what career to choose, and whether to have children. Russ is here to explain how we should approach these problems, and to reassure us that it?s okay to make mistakes. Plus, he explores how it feels to be a ?recovering economist.?
Show Notes:
- Russ? new book, Wild Problems
- Russ: ?How to Make a Decision When There?s No ?Right? One?
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Last Man Standing
Jonah continues to swelter in Maine on today?s Ruminant, as he examines the aftermath of the FBI?s raid on Mar-a-Lago and how we should interpret Merrick Garland?s response. There?s also an extended discussion of Trump?s psychology, the allure of conspiracy theories, and the nature of American exceptionalism, as Jonah explains how he made peace with being part of the Remnant.
Show Notes:
- Jonah: ?Did the GOP Peak Too Soon??
- Wednesday?s bananified G-File
- The Remnant with Kevin Williamson
- First Things: ?Abortion and a Nation at War?
- Andrew McCarthy: ?Thoughts on AG Garland?s Remarks?
- Kevin Williamson: ?Big Lies Matter?
- Advisory Opinions on the Mar-a-Lago raid
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Going Bananas
With his faithful canine in tow, Kevin Williamson saddles up for another Remnant escapade. This time, he and Jonah explore the Mar-a-Lago raid, the problem with new ideas in politics, and the Texas midterm elections. Plus, there?s plenty of dingo discussion mixed in for your edification. Is the president above the law? Should dog shows be banned? And can Kevin?s neighbors convince him to vote for Beto O?Rourke?
Show Notes:
- Kevin?s page at National Review
- Jonah: ?Westminster Eugenics Show?
- Kevin: ?Do We Believe Our Own Dogma??
- An emergency Advisory Opinions on the Mar-a-Lago raid
- Mike Huckabee?s crazy argument
- Jonah: ?Bonfire of the Asininities?
- Kevin: ?Thanks For the ?Memory??
- Jonah: ?All Quiet on the Black-Ops Front?
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Jonah?s Delicate Condition
Jonah?s aversion to preparation catches up with him on today?s sweaty Remnant. Stuck without a guest, he?s forced to spend an hour answering listener questions selected by Guy, his AEI research assistant. The result is an eclectic throwback to the Remnant AMAs of old, which covers everything from the disappearance of ?The Couch? in the G-File to the prospect of a Ron DeSantis presidential bid. How do Liberal Fascism and The Tyranny of Cliches hold up? Did Jonah enjoy his time at Goucher College? And can Jonah and Guy discuss episode 11 without turning to ash?
Show Notes:
- Guy and Jonah?s first encounter
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New Dogs, Old Tricks
Live from an undisclosed location in heat-struck Maine, Jonah gets ranty on today?s vigorous yet thoughtful Ruminant. In light of his surroundings, he begins with a few reflections on Ted Kennedy?s incident at Chappaquiddick before launching into a passionate tirade against the foolishness of the new right. In distinctly nerdy fashion, Jonah leaves no room for interpretation: There is no place on the right for racist politics, and white supremacist and anti-semitic ideas must necessarily be treated with moral outrage.
Show Notes:
-The Cover-Up podcast on Chappaquiddick
-Leo Damore?s Senatorial Privilege
-Jonah?s column on the Inflation Reduction Act
-The Dispatch: The New Right Finds a Home at the Intersection of Populism and Elitism
-The Economist on the new right
-Kevin WIlliamson on Trump the manly man
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Cool Katz
Back in the Remnant driver?s seat, Jonah invites newly minted AEI fellow Joshua Katz onto the program for a nerdtastic discussion of language and how free we are to use it. Inevitably, their conversation touches on Joshua?s departure from Princeton, cancel culture, and broader illiberalism in American life. But it also explores current issues in linguistics, how much we can really know about classical civilizations, and what ?literally? actually means. Tune in to find out whether Socrates had it coming.
Show Notes:
- Joshua: ?Status and ?Virtue? at the Dalton School?
- Joshua on his departure from Princeton
- Joshua?s Declaration of Independence
- College essay prompts get absurd
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Fresh Meat
Filling in for an absentee Jonah, Chris Stirewalt is joined by A.B. Stoddard to provide some overpoweringly rank punditry on the state of the midterms. They begin by analyzing how current trends may affect the election results, before turning to the prospect of a political realignment in 2024 and the fear that the Inflation Reduction Act might fail to reduce inflation. Could a third party candidate win the next presidential election? Is Nancy Pelosi ready to step down? And is August an appropriate time to eat roast pork?
Show Notes:
- A.B.?s page at RealClearPolitics
- NewsNation?s recent election poll
- A.B.: ?Biden Should Announce in 2023 That He Will Not Run Again?
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Man of the Year
It?s a man?s, man?s world?or so Josh Hawley would have you believe. On today?s Ruminant, Jonah takes a deep dive into the new right?s obsession with masculinity and what it really means to be manly. He also assesses the pros and cons of codifying gay marriage into law, rants about Joe Manchin?s deal with Chuck Schumer, and gives some further thoughts on whether it?s right to launch criminal prosecution against a former president. It?s a radioactive episode.
Show Notes:
- The Remnant with Charles C.W. Cooke
- Chuck Schumer and Joe Manchin make a deal
- Josh Hawley?s book announcement
- Tom Klingenstein: ?Trump is a manly man?
- Kevin Williamson: ?The Virile Style?
- Madeline Kearns: ?Marital Clash?
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You Can Bank on Bahnsen
With inflation increasing and the prospect of recession making headlines, David Bahnsen returns to the Remnant to answer a pressing question: How should conservatives approach economic policy? It?s an ultra-wonky conversation that also touches on common errors made by media outlets in their economic coverage and the relationship between moral and economic well being. Plus, tune in to find out which nefarious supervillain organization David secretly funds.
Show Notes:
- David?s Capital Record podcast
- The New York Times headline that ruined Jonah?s morning
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Secret Agent Klon
Klon Kitchen returns to the Remnant for another round of vigorous wonkery on all things national security. This time, he?s primarily concerned with the threat of Chinese espionage and the prospect of a geopolitical confrontation between China and the U.S. But he also has thoughts on the Ukraine conflict, the morality of Edward Snowden and Julian Assange, and the nature of quantum computing. Plus, tune in to hear his case for why you should delete TikTok.
Show Notes:
- The Current, Klon?s Dispatch newsletter
- China?s ?thousand grains of sand? approach to intelligence collection
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Jumping Ship
Refreshed from his Adirondack vacation, Jonah begins today?s Ruminant with an update on the January 6 hearings and a rant on the strange phenomenon of ?capture the flag? media coverage. He also explores the merits of the MAGA republicans testifying in Congress, the silliness of the idea that there?s a ?right side of history,? and the general awfulness of Steve Bannon. Stick around until the end to hear why you should subscribe to The Dispatch if you haven?t already.
Show Notes:
- The Remnant with David Bernstein
- The Remnant with Brent Orrell
- Adam Davidson?s podcast advice
- Jan 6 and Secret Service agents
- Cassidy Hutchinson stands by her testimony
- The Holy War over Hunter Biden?s laptop
- Jonah on Honestly with Bari Weiss
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Worked Up
AEI Senior Fellow Brent Orrell joins the Remnant for a cheerfully wonky exploration of the modern workplace. With institutions and communities collapsing, Americans are increasingly looking to work as their main source of fulfillment, but is this a healthy development? For that matter, how does immigration alter the workforce? Will artificial intelligence have a positive or negative effect on the American economy? And what should we make of the ?Great Resignation??
Show Notes:
- Brent?s podcast, Hardly Working
- Arthur Brooks on earned success
- Brent: ?The Great Resignation Shows It?s Time to Rethink Worker Dignity?
- Brent?s ?Dignity at Work? report
- Brent: ?How AI Is Being Transformed by ?Foundation Models??
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People Are People
The Remnant?s wonky streak continues as David Bernstein, professor at Antonin Scalia Law School, joins the program to discuss his new book, Classified: The Untold Story of Racial Classification in America. Racial classifications are ubiquitous in American life, but David believes they are becoming increasingly arbitrary and incoherent. His solution is to abolish official racial classification altogether and replace it with a separation of race and state. But what would this look like in practice, and how did terms of racial classification originate in the first place?
Show Notes:
- David?s new book, Classified
- David: ?How Well Do You Know America's Racial Classification System??
- Sean Trende?s The Lost Majority
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Terms of Engagement
July?s drive-time Remnant extravaganza is here, and it?s as deprived of substance as you?d expect. Wedding proposals, cruises, road trips, and other offbeat subjects are all discussed at unnecessary length, but a modicum of serious punditry is also mixed in on the upcoming midterms and the potential for a Trump re-election campaign announcement. Plus, tune in to hear Jonah detail his bygone days as an opera supernumerary and the rebranding of Bloggingheads.tv.
Show Notes:
- The Daily on the James Webb Space Telescope
- Nonzero, formerly Bloggingheads.tv
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What?s in a Nation?
Paul Miller, Georgetown professor and regular contributor to The Dispatch, returns to The Remnant to discuss his new book, The Religion of American Greatness: What?s Wrong with Christian Nationalism. In formidably highfalutin fashion, he and Jonah explore what drives mankind?s nationalistic impulse, why Christianity and nationalism have historically been intertwined in America, and what should hold our country together beyond the creed outlined in the Declaration of Independence. Stick around to hear Paul turn the tables on Jonah and ask him a few questions about the legacy of Suicide of the West.
Show Notes:
- Paul?s new book, The Religion of American Greatness
- Paul?s appearance on Dispatch Live
- Jonah: ?The Dangers of Unchecked Nationalism?
- Chris Hedges? American Fascists
- Arlie Russell Hochschild?s Strangers in Their Own Land
- Rich Lowry?s The Case for Nationalism
- Michael Burleigh?s The Third Reich
- Yuval Levin?s The Great Debate
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Et Tu, Cooke?
An unwashed Charles C.W. Cooke returns to the Remnant for a predictably rank exploration of gun rights, criminal law, and electoral politics. There?s also a deep dive into linguistics prompted by Jill Biden?s taco gaffe, an discussion of America?s fondness for elderly political figures, and an examination of whether stop and frisk policies are constitutional. How is the 2024 presidential race shaping up? Should Trump be prosecuted for his actions on January 6? And what can we do about mass shootings?
Show Notes:
- Charlie: ?Jill Biden?s ?LatinX IncluXion Luncheon? FiaXco?
- Jonah: ?Where Did Biden Go Wrong??
- Charlie: ?Democrats Prepare to Throw Biden Overboard?
- Charlie on dismal polling for Trump and Biden
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London Calling
After kicking off today?s Ruminant with a few reflections on his pesky first name, Jonah soon embarks on a thorough analysis of Joe Biden?s rise to the presidency and the intellectual insecurities that often come packaged with the Oval Office. An eclectic potpourri follows as Jonah explores the distinction between assassination and murder, his relationship with a top British cabinet official, and the hypocrisy of European nations regarding the abortion debate. It all ends with a more lighthearted assessment of the differences between Hollywood movies and real life.
Show Notes:
- The Remnant with Noah Phillips
- The Remnant with Noah Rothman
- David Bernstein?s work for Reason
- Dana Milbank: ?Give Biden a Break?
- Mitt Romney: ?America is in Denial?
- Vice presidents who became presidents themselves
- The Shinzo Abe assassination
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Holy Rollers
Commentary ?s Noah Rothman makes an overdue return to the Remnant to discuss his new book, The Rise of the New Puritans, which compares today?s woke progressives with their pious ancestors. Alternating between vigorous agreement and spirited debate, Noah and Jonah explore the morality of wokeism, the state of sex and comedy, and what?s behind mankind?s puritanical impulse. They also touch on the importance of staying in your lane, the future of safetyism in American life, and whether Mike Pence should be disqualified from pursuing another presidential bid.
Show Notes:
- Noah?s new book, The Rise of the New Puritans
- Noah: ?Joyless on the Fourth?
- George McKenna?s The Puritan Origins of American Patriotism
- Noah: ?The January 6 Commission?s Biggest Reveal?
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Noah, Can You Paradigm?
Noah Phillips of the Federal Trade Commission brings his expertise to the Remnant today for an exceedingly wonky discussion of American law and bureaucracy. The debate over Big Tech has whipped up plenty of discussion about antitrust reforms recently, but how effective could such reforms actually be? For that matter, how problematic are monopolies? Is the FTC in good shape? And how can the harmful effects of social media be mitigated?
Show Notes:
- Sen. John Cornyn booed at Texas GOP convention
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Born Free
If you?re hitting the road this weekend, today?s extra-long, extra-patriotic Ruminant should be a perfect accompaniment for your travels. Jonah begins by looking at the Dobbs decision, the relationship between the judiciary and the legislature, and why conservatives believe in originalism. Then, after offering some additional thoughts on consequentialism and a generous helping of rank punditry, he turns to the Fourth of July. In a moment where pride in America is particularly low, Jonah believes we should still be bullish about this country, and he has enough philosophical insights on hand to explain why.
Show Notes:
- Joshua Zeitz: ?The Supreme Court?s Faux ?Originalism??
- David French: ?Roe Is Reversed, and the Right Isn?t Ready?
- The Remnant with Megan McArdle
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The Fierce Arrogance of Now
Megan McArdle is back on the Remnant to explore the Dobbs decision, the culture war over sex and gender, and America?s rising crime. Dingos and the innocence of childhood are also discussed, though you?ll have to tune in to see whether Jonah is willing to divulge more information about his youthful exploits as a supernumerary actor. How should the legislative and judicial branches balance their responsibilities? What does the future hold for the transgender movement? And what would Megan?s criminal justice reform agenda look like?
Show Notes:
- Megan?s page at the Washington Post
- The Remnant with Jay Nordlinger
- Jonah: ?How Dobbs Might Shape the Future of Conservatism in Unexpected Ways?
- GLoP: ?Occasionally Masculine?
- Megan: ?The Left is Counting on an Abortion Backlash That May Never Come?
- Megan: ?Don?t Forget the Other Women in the Pool?
- Megan: ?A Better Way for Democrats to Talk About Rising Crime?
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Dog Eat Dogma
Jay Nordlinger, Jonah?s conservative colleague and a senior editor at National Review, joins the Remnant for the first time to provide his uniquely measured blend of rank punditry and linguistic insight. Brace yourself for an eclectic potpourri of topics, including an exploration of the Dobbs decision and the future of abortion in America, a thorough discussion of what it means to be a conservative, and a few etymological asides. Also, tune in to find out whether conservatism?s three-legged stool is still standing.
Show Notes:
- Jay?s page at National Review
- Jay: ?The Saudi Golf Tour Is Blatant ?Sportswashing??
- Jay: ?What is Conservatism??
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Strictly Consequential
Today?s jet-lagged Ruminant finds Jonah haunted by uncomfortable memories of John Dean as he tries to make sense of what the Supreme Court?s Bruen decision means for gun laws in America. Afterward, he offers philosophical musings on an array of topics, including consequentialist ethics, stoplights, and religious edicts. It all ends with a brief reflection on why Jonah is a conservative in the first place. Also, please note that this episode was recorded before the Supreme Court released its decision on Dobbs v. Jackson Women?s Health Organization. Jonah will have plenty to say on the subject very soon.
Show Notes:
- John Dean?s Worse than Watergate
- The Fairbanks Midnight Sun Run
- Trump: ?I whine until I win?
- The Remnant (guest hosted by Chris Stirewalt) with Josh Kraushaar
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Think of the Children
With Jonah back from the harsh wilds of Alaska, Commentary?s Christine Rosen makes her long-awaited Remnant return. The duo explores the harmful effects of social media on young people, how pornography should be regulated, and what?s led to the rapid spread of transgender ideology. Why has trauma become a political tool? How can epigenetics explain political problems? And will this episode officially bring an end to Jonah?s friendship with John Podhoretz?
Show Notes:
- Christine?s page at Commentary
- The Remnant (hosted by Jonah?s vocal doppelganger) with Josh Kraushaar
- Christine: ?Ban Kids From Social Media?
- Christine: ?The Mainstream Media Damaged our Children?
- Jonah and Nick Schulz: ?Gated or X-Rated??
- Christine: ?How Trauma Became a Political Tool?
- Jonah: ?Who?s Oppressing Whom??
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