Michael Shellenberger on Why California Is Such a Mess

Summary

The video script discusses the disconnect between societal elites and the general public, particularly in the context of San Francisco and California. It delves into the reasons behind the public's dissatisfaction with these elites, suggesting that they are not fulfilling their roles effectively. The conversation covers the impact of social media, the rise of populism, and the challenges faced by politicians who are shielded by the party apparatus. It also touches on the potential for change through political involvement and the influence of affluent individuals, as well as the importance of community and representation in governance.

Takeaways

• 📚 The speaker is working on a trilogy of books focused on civilization, starting with 'Apocalypse Never' and ending with 'Pathocracy', which discusses how elites undermine civilization.
• 🔑 The subtitle of 'Pathocracy' is 'Why Elites Subvert Civilization', highlighting the disconnect between elites and the public they are supposed to serve.
• 🤔 The conversation ponders why elites, who benefit the most from civilization, are also contributing to its potential downfall.
• 🗳️ There's a noted dissatisfaction with elites, as evidenced by low approval ratings for universities, media, and other institutions, suggesting a systemic issue.
• 🌐 The discussion touches on geographical disconnection, with elites living in bubbles and being out of touch with ordinary citizens.
• 📉 The impact of social media on dehumanizing interactions and contributing to the toxicity of political discourse is examined.
• 👥 The rise of populism, particularly after 2016 with Trump and Brexit, is seen as a reaction to elite failure to represent the public's interests.
• 🆚 The contrast between the Democratic and Republican parties' handling of populist candidates is analyzed, with implications for their future directions.
• 🏛️ The speaker's personal experience running for office in California highlights the challenges of single-party dominance and the need for political diversity.
• 🌿 The script describes the current state of San Francisco and California as 'out of control', with policies that seem detached from reality and public welfare.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the trilogy of books being discussed?

The trilogy of books focuses on civilization, starting with 'apocalypse', and the third book titled 'Pathocracy', which discusses why elites subvert civilization.

What is the subtitle of the third book in the trilogy?

The subtitle of the third book is 'Why Elites Subvert Civilization'.

What does the speaker believe is the current state of the public's perception of elites?

The speaker believes that the public does not feel represented by the elites in a healthy society or civilization, and there is a significant level of dissatisfaction with how elites are performing.

What is the speaker's view on the role of social media in the relationship between the public and elites?

The speaker thinks that social media reduces face-to-face contact, which is dehumanizing and contributes to the public's negative perception of elites.

What is the 'paper belt on fire' mentioned in the script, and what does it represent?

'Paper belt on fire' is a term from Mike Gibson's book, referring to the political, media, and academic complex from Washington D.C. to Boston, symbolizing the interconnected failures of American society.

What does the speaker suggest is a contributing factor to the disconnection between elites and ordinary Americans?

The speaker suggests that the change in living arrangements of Congress members, the advent of jet travel, and the rise of social media are contributing factors to this disconnection.

What is the speaker's opinion on the current state of bipartisan relationships in Congress?

The speaker believes that the relationships between Republicans and Democrats in Congress are very toxic and have significantly deteriorated.

What does the speaker attribute the rise of populism to, and how does it challenge the elites?

The speaker attributes the rise of populism to the failure of elites to represent the public's interests and suggests that it challenges the elites to reconsider their policy agendas.

What is the speaker's view on the Democratic party's handling of populist candidates like Bernie Sanders?

The speaker criticizes the Democratic party for aggressively opposing populist candidates like Bernie Sanders and believes their actions have contributed to the party's current crisis.

What is the 'curly effect' mentioned in the script, and how does it relate to the situation in California?

The 'curly effect' refers to the phenomenon where people who leave an area are the ones capable of creating change, while those who stay benefit from the status quo. It relates to California as the speaker suggests that those who can afford to leave due to dissatisfaction may be the ones most capable of instigating change.

What does the speaker compare the relationship between government and the public to, and why?

The speaker compares the relationship to that of a dairy farmer and their cows, suggesting that the government is interested in keeping the public healthy enough to produce tax revenue but may not necessarily care about their well-being beyond that.