This week John and I have something a little different for you: An interview with Wall Street Journal columnist and Manhattan Institute Senior Fellow Jason Riley about his recent book, Maverick: A Biography of Thomas Sowell. We discuss Sowell's ideas
You're all worshipping a person with a patently obvious history of hypocrisy and lies. I'm practically spit on by people promoting principles I followed to find Sowell didn't. And your crowd is just sharp as a razor -- defending him before you even know what the subject matter is (and making the most asinine and unconscionable excuses once you do).
Preach responsibility and take none. Got it!
Sowell lied about a war that shaped everything you see today — and got off scot-free (as did both parties). Lemme save you some time: The first word that doesn't reflect someone seeking in-depth discussion — will be the last word I read. Thank you 🙏
You think I just came up with this title out of thin air?
What Happened to All This Jazz? Sowell’s Army of Mindless Slogan Slingers
Thanks for mentioning George S Schuyler. Reading his (and daughter Phillipa) work redeeemed Covid isolation.
Schuyler lacked Sowell’s academic training. This made his work all the more amazing but without the structure to endure. Schuyler‘s wise anti-communism careened against the civil rights movement and left him wrong-footed. His interracial marriage appears to left him with few true friends.
It appears that John is not at his apartment in Queens in this video and the Q&A video. I noticed a picture of a whale hanging on a wall in the background. This is classic Cape Cod/Martha's Vineyard motif. I assume that John is vacationing on the Cape. Is he hanging out in order to attend the birthday bash for Barack Hussein Obama this weekend?
This podcast was an absolute pleasure to listen to. Thank you gentlemen. The constrained vs utopian world view/vision. And Sowell’s book, Conflict of Visions. I appreciate learning about a way to approach these differing world views that sounds forthright but not damning. Our world stage- or perhaps it is just in the U.S. with our toxic MSM - has made it so difficult to have courteous conversation about our differences and how to maximize where these views intersect. These difference should be able to temper each other and influence each other with the goal of looking to the greater good for all of us.
Right now it is just a power grab with no respectable leadership.
Your conversation here is a salve to my soul and gives me hope.
Not sure if this individual has already been mentioned in the discussion section, but I am surprised that none of you three (Loury, McWhorter, and Riley) mentioned Walter Williams, who passed away Iast December (or if you did mention him, I missed it completely.) I think he and Sowell were very good friends and in constant dialogue with each other. As a side, I am rereading Washington's Up From Slavery, and I am astounded with some of the observations he makes that are applicable today. It would be great if Prof. Loury and Prof. McWhorter reread that text and then asserted his framework today. One passage in particular strikes me as exceedingly valuable, not only for blacks but for all Americans: "My experience is that there is something in human nature which always makes an individual recognize and reward merit, no matter under what colour of skin merit is found. I have found, too, that is the visible, the tangible, that goes a long ways in softening prejudices. The actual sight of a first-class house that a Negro has built is ten times more potent than pages of discussion about a house that he ought to build, or perhaps could build." Injecting my own summation here, but it sounds as though the CRT proponents AND its critics have forgotten that liberalism is a daily and habitual practice, not a rote ideology that can be written into law or abolished.
DITTO! DITTO! to all who loved this discussion and I agree would love more, more and more. I especially liked mention of where is the endgame for these progressives who have drunk the kool-aid of CRT and wokeness. When I do try to discuss with my more liberal friends & family and ask about what would their world look like, all I get is utopian nonsense and they get very hostile if I point that out. Thomas Sowell is almost a heresy if they know the name at all. I also get this response when I try to discuss equity vs equality and try to point out the flaws in that Kamala Harris pre-election video or that cartoon of the kids trying to look over the fence. (Sorry I can't provide links. Not tech-savvy enough.) I'm sure you have seen them.
Please keep doing what you do. When is the TED Talk that Coleman Hughes will be at? I subscribe to him also.
Adding my voice to the chorus to continue with a part 2 - cover the other big ideas in the books. Also curious: what does Jason think Sowell would answer to Glenn's comparison of the logic of Sowell's argument about parity never having been the norm, to the logic of those who opposed a broader role for women in society as having 'never been the norm'?
Oh my, this was fantastic but certainly not long enough. Years ago, I became angry that I had not heard of Thomas Sowell until around 2000. I attended college in the mid/late 70s where I was only exposed to liberal ideology. If college professors would have taught us about the constrained and unconstrained vision in the humanities I would have at least been given a counter-narrative to my former woke position. I have wondered aloud why there are no Critical Thinking 101 courses (to my knowledge) offered to help students think past their emotions void of proselytizing by instructors. Dr. Sowell's books would be assigned reading. Are we at such a divisive place in society that even this would create a scandal on American college campuses?
I know it's "The Glenn Show" but I love seeing John leading off with the opening question. Again, I truly enjoy listening to intelligent people discuss interesting topics.
Loved this discussion and would happily listen to it for many more hours. But I'm becoming doubtful that rational academics can save us. Western civilization seems to be under siege from multiple directions, and "they" are going after our kids, even the youngest, in many ways, e.g., CRT indoctrination starting in kindergarten, the sexualization and exploitation of children, medical experimentation (hormonal, medicinal, and surgical) on children, laws and policies designed to undermine the family. The Dem elites and media seem to be the drivers of these policies (although I doubt they want them applied to their own children). If, as Glenn says, the Dems cannot win without "the Black vote," what if a strong, non-brainwashed Black person were to take the lead in opening people's eyes? Once the dominos start falling, there may be hope. It's a lot to ask of someone, given the viciousness of the prevailing groupthink, but Larry Elder appears to have the courage to start the process. What do others think? If you think I should take these ruminations elsewhere, please suggest alternatives.
I don't know if your ruminations belong here or not, but I have the same thoughts. I think it's 100 percent political. You have 13 percent of the population voting as a monolith, swinging every presidential election. They might not get all of their preferred policies enacted, but they are damn well going to hear whatever narrative they want to hear. From the perspective of the Democrats, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
Haven't seen this one yet. But looking forward to it. Meanwhile all these comments about Glenn castigating the center-left for not calling out the far left are giving me pause. For a very similar question could be posed a LOT louder on the right, no? lol
I get your point, but I'm not sure "far right" is a fit. For instance a person who considers border law enforcement might think, YOU (Congress) passed those laws, how 'bout we actually enforce them? And maybe they'd think: "Sanctuary cites, wtf?"
They aren't primarily people calling to disband the IRS and slash taxes. I think the vast majority of them LOVE Social Security; they don't want Paul Ryan "privatizing" it. They are not even all flag-waving self-described patriots. Just people who think Mitt Romney is a problem, not a solution. Trump was awkward and inelegant, but, for example, he tried hard to make peace with N Korea, to the chagrin of the "far right."
In fairness, technically and philosophically, a lot of these terms have lost their original meanings. (To be honest, I would argue the entire country has shifted left to an extent. Less religious, less adherent to free market principles, etc.) I only use terms like "right" and "left" to depict the binary team sport that is American politics today, which is the way the culture uses these terms as well.
I had a question: In the wake of Bob Moses’ death, and remembering the episode where John talked about the Oregon Education Department’s position on math and students of color, I wondered if Moses would feature in any upcoming episodes?
Sadly, whatever bad ideas about equity and removing standards that get cooked up to remediate past inequities, end up being policies for ALL kids. I teach in a rural district (I teach a foreign language) in Oregon, and just this year the state has elected to remove standardized tests. The move is meant to be temporary, but many cynics see it as a loss that won’t return, mostly because of the popularization of these remediating ideas. I wonder how Bob Moses might have seen this.
What a podcast!!!! One of my favorite podcasts of all time. Please, do a monthly meeting. This is awesome, you guys do a great job of working together!
Excellent, very enjoyable discussion. Jason Riley deserves to be taken more seriously.
I particularly enjoyed the part starting around 59:00 where Glenn goes into a rant about Collin Kapernick and why there isn't more criticism of the hard left from the left and he calls John out (all be it softly) for complicity. John fumbled around and said some stuff about England that didn't really make much sense.
You're all worshipping a person with a patently obvious history of hypocrisy and lies. I'm practically spit on by people promoting principles I followed to find Sowell didn't. And your crowd is just sharp as a razor -- defending him before you even know what the subject matter is (and making the most asinine and unconscionable excuses once you do).
Preach responsibility and take none. Got it!
Sowell lied about a war that shaped everything you see today — and got off scot-free (as did both parties). Lemme save you some time: The first word that doesn't reflect someone seeking in-depth discussion — will be the last word I read. Thank you 🙏
You think I just came up with this title out of thin air?
What Happened to All This Jazz? Sowell’s Army of Mindless Slogan Slingers
https://onevoicebecametwo.life/2024/05/21/what-happened-to-all-this-jazz-sowells-army-of-mindless-slogan-slingers/
Thanks for mentioning George S Schuyler. Reading his (and daughter Phillipa) work redeeemed Covid isolation.
Schuyler lacked Sowell’s academic training. This made his work all the more amazing but without the structure to endure. Schuyler‘s wise anti-communism careened against the civil rights movement and left him wrong-footed. His interracial marriage appears to left him with few true friends.
Topic for a future Glenn show?
It appears that John is not at his apartment in Queens in this video and the Q&A video. I noticed a picture of a whale hanging on a wall in the background. This is classic Cape Cod/Martha's Vineyard motif. I assume that John is vacationing on the Cape. Is he hanging out in order to attend the birthday bash for Barack Hussein Obama this weekend?
Just wondering!
This podcast was an absolute pleasure to listen to. Thank you gentlemen. The constrained vs utopian world view/vision. And Sowell’s book, Conflict of Visions. I appreciate learning about a way to approach these differing world views that sounds forthright but not damning. Our world stage- or perhaps it is just in the U.S. with our toxic MSM - has made it so difficult to have courteous conversation about our differences and how to maximize where these views intersect. These difference should be able to temper each other and influence each other with the goal of looking to the greater good for all of us.
Right now it is just a power grab with no respectable leadership.
Your conversation here is a salve to my soul and gives me hope.
Not sure if this individual has already been mentioned in the discussion section, but I am surprised that none of you three (Loury, McWhorter, and Riley) mentioned Walter Williams, who passed away Iast December (or if you did mention him, I missed it completely.) I think he and Sowell were very good friends and in constant dialogue with each other. As a side, I am rereading Washington's Up From Slavery, and I am astounded with some of the observations he makes that are applicable today. It would be great if Prof. Loury and Prof. McWhorter reread that text and then asserted his framework today. One passage in particular strikes me as exceedingly valuable, not only for blacks but for all Americans: "My experience is that there is something in human nature which always makes an individual recognize and reward merit, no matter under what colour of skin merit is found. I have found, too, that is the visible, the tangible, that goes a long ways in softening prejudices. The actual sight of a first-class house that a Negro has built is ten times more potent than pages of discussion about a house that he ought to build, or perhaps could build." Injecting my own summation here, but it sounds as though the CRT proponents AND its critics have forgotten that liberalism is a daily and habitual practice, not a rote ideology that can be written into law or abolished.
DITTO! DITTO! to all who loved this discussion and I agree would love more, more and more. I especially liked mention of where is the endgame for these progressives who have drunk the kool-aid of CRT and wokeness. When I do try to discuss with my more liberal friends & family and ask about what would their world look like, all I get is utopian nonsense and they get very hostile if I point that out. Thomas Sowell is almost a heresy if they know the name at all. I also get this response when I try to discuss equity vs equality and try to point out the flaws in that Kamala Harris pre-election video or that cartoon of the kids trying to look over the fence. (Sorry I can't provide links. Not tech-savvy enough.) I'm sure you have seen them.
Please keep doing what you do. When is the TED Talk that Coleman Hughes will be at? I subscribe to him also.
Adding my voice to the chorus to continue with a part 2 - cover the other big ideas in the books. Also curious: what does Jason think Sowell would answer to Glenn's comparison of the logic of Sowell's argument about parity never having been the norm, to the logic of those who opposed a broader role for women in society as having 'never been the norm'?
Too short of an episode!!! We needed one more hour of these men together. LOL!!!!
Oh my, this was fantastic but certainly not long enough. Years ago, I became angry that I had not heard of Thomas Sowell until around 2000. I attended college in the mid/late 70s where I was only exposed to liberal ideology. If college professors would have taught us about the constrained and unconstrained vision in the humanities I would have at least been given a counter-narrative to my former woke position. I have wondered aloud why there are no Critical Thinking 101 courses (to my knowledge) offered to help students think past their emotions void of proselytizing by instructors. Dr. Sowell's books would be assigned reading. Are we at such a divisive place in society that even this would create a scandal on American college campuses?
I know it's "The Glenn Show" but I love seeing John leading off with the opening question. Again, I truly enjoy listening to intelligent people discuss interesting topics.
Loved this discussion and would happily listen to it for many more hours. But I'm becoming doubtful that rational academics can save us. Western civilization seems to be under siege from multiple directions, and "they" are going after our kids, even the youngest, in many ways, e.g., CRT indoctrination starting in kindergarten, the sexualization and exploitation of children, medical experimentation (hormonal, medicinal, and surgical) on children, laws and policies designed to undermine the family. The Dem elites and media seem to be the drivers of these policies (although I doubt they want them applied to their own children). If, as Glenn says, the Dems cannot win without "the Black vote," what if a strong, non-brainwashed Black person were to take the lead in opening people's eyes? Once the dominos start falling, there may be hope. It's a lot to ask of someone, given the viciousness of the prevailing groupthink, but Larry Elder appears to have the courage to start the process. What do others think? If you think I should take these ruminations elsewhere, please suggest alternatives.
I don't know if your ruminations belong here or not, but I have the same thoughts. I think it's 100 percent political. You have 13 percent of the population voting as a monolith, swinging every presidential election. They might not get all of their preferred policies enacted, but they are damn well going to hear whatever narrative they want to hear. From the perspective of the Democrats, if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
We need more Glenn Lourys and John McWhorters. Noted and quoted thinkers in areas outside of race…..but who happen to be black.
Haven't seen this one yet. But looking forward to it. Meanwhile all these comments about Glenn castigating the center-left for not calling out the far left are giving me pause. For a very similar question could be posed a LOT louder on the right, no? lol
I get your point, but I'm not sure "far right" is a fit. For instance a person who considers border law enforcement might think, YOU (Congress) passed those laws, how 'bout we actually enforce them? And maybe they'd think: "Sanctuary cites, wtf?"
They aren't primarily people calling to disband the IRS and slash taxes. I think the vast majority of them LOVE Social Security; they don't want Paul Ryan "privatizing" it. They are not even all flag-waving self-described patriots. Just people who think Mitt Romney is a problem, not a solution. Trump was awkward and inelegant, but, for example, he tried hard to make peace with N Korea, to the chagrin of the "far right."
In fairness, technically and philosophically, a lot of these terms have lost their original meanings. (To be honest, I would argue the entire country has shifted left to an extent. Less religious, less adherent to free market principles, etc.) I only use terms like "right" and "left" to depict the binary team sport that is American politics today, which is the way the culture uses these terms as well.
Hi Glenn,
Great episode.
I had a question: In the wake of Bob Moses’ death, and remembering the episode where John talked about the Oregon Education Department’s position on math and students of color, I wondered if Moses would feature in any upcoming episodes?
Sadly, whatever bad ideas about equity and removing standards that get cooked up to remediate past inequities, end up being policies for ALL kids. I teach in a rural district (I teach a foreign language) in Oregon, and just this year the state has elected to remove standardized tests. The move is meant to be temporary, but many cynics see it as a loss that won’t return, mostly because of the popularization of these remediating ideas. I wonder how Bob Moses might have seen this.
What a podcast!!!! One of my favorite podcasts of all time. Please, do a monthly meeting. This is awesome, you guys do a great job of working together!
Excellent, very enjoyable discussion. Jason Riley deserves to be taken more seriously.
I particularly enjoyed the part starting around 59:00 where Glenn goes into a rant about Collin Kapernick and why there isn't more criticism of the hard left from the left and he calls John out (all be it softly) for complicity. John fumbled around and said some stuff about England that didn't really make much sense.