Jon Stewart Looks Back With Sanity and/or Fear

[@hitheremynameis-xd8os]

It's comforting to know even John Stewart, a guy who's been on TV for decades, hates hearing the sound of his own voice.

[@Yowzoe]

Humility and self-deprecation are attractive traits of his persona for sure.

[@revvyhevvy]

Jon....no 'h'

[@NewsStuff-y5o]

Both Ezra and Stewart must be on the Mensa level when it comes to intelligence and being self aware. I already knew that Ezra was intelligent, but Stewart blew my mind to go toe to toe with Ezra in thought process. This was extra food for the soul.

[@AquarianNomadic]

He knows why he's been dragged out of retirement. Stroke liberals. Fail. 😂

[@jeromederosa9004]

The biggest enemy of Iranian people is Iranian Ali Khamenei and the biggest enemy of Jews are John Stewart, Bernie Sanders and other Jews who do not understand that Islam is a death cult and marxism is a poverty cult. Come talk to us at atheist republic debate club if you disagree.

[@EileenHall-j9f]

This was wonderful. I’m a 77 year old British woman, on my way out relatively soon. . But this conversation reminded me that we need to keep the faith. I have faith in young people knowing there is more of us than them. I have more in common with my black, gay, Muslim, Jewish Hindu neighbours, than any oligarch. An individual who only cares about profit, and no care for common humanity. Someone who would not only exploit me, but not give me the time of day. We are all angry, feeling impotent, we all need to direct our ire, to the individuals causing this abomination , and not turn on to ourselves.

[@MagioneUmbria]

Wow. I have to hand it to Klein. He got Stewart to do what Stewart does best. And then he published it. Nice work, EK. Thanks.

[@RedlightNight]

He is great at denying the role he played in the decline of media while blaming everyone else.

[@atldjango]

​@RedlightNight is he responsible for the decline though? I would argue he has existed in the same era and consistently been one to call out the decline. Very different

[@NewsStuff-y5o]

I am only on KZbin for social media, and I have realized it has been bad for my psych. I know the code headlines to stay away from. Such as "this person was destroyed by this person or that person", click bait for sure. I can imagine if I were a teen, and didn't have a internal filter. Devastating to the mind.

[@RedlightNight]

@@atldjango During the same year this event occured he called a black woman the hard r n-word uncensored on the daily show and had Marilynne Robinson on to push christian apologetics where he said "the more you look at science the more it looks like faith." The whole reason this rally happened is he was mad at leftists for calling Bush a war criminal and because he didn't like the occupy wallstreet movement. He spent years telling everyone that you can't trust the media, but in his own words he was also trying to tell you what to think and most of what he was telling people was not to listen to or to question experts without good reason while pushing a bunch of anti-science nutjobs the same way Joe Rogan does.

[@RedlightNight]

@@Gare.t.h Then they must not have reading comprehension or critical thinking where you live.

[@swilliams1759]

My daughter and I are both Stewart & Colbert fans, and we attended this rally. The most memorable trip we ever made for many reasons. The costumes & signs that people carried were hilarious. The size of the crowd on the mall was unbelievable, and phone signals were being jammed. No one had phone service and we got separated trying to walk thru the crowd. Then our phone batteries died, and we couldn't find each other. We finally met at the Washington Monument, and went to eat dinner, not knowing the trains did not stop at Arlington after 6 pm, and took us to a far stop in Virginia. We had to taxi back to Arlington, and discovered the car was locked inside the Cemetery for the night. We ended up in the ER lobby at George Washington hospital and people were coming in dressed in Halloween costumes ,covered in fake blood. One rally attendee got 120 stitches in his head from a fall on a train escalator. In the morning we walked back across the Potomac bridge only to find it blocked by buses & Homeland Security wearing masks & holding machine guns, because a sniper was loose . There were helicopters overhead, police boats patrolling the area, and the gate was still locked and we were told that "no one can go in or out". Then, Curtis, a parking attendant drove through the far back arch in a big, beat up car , and he drove up to the gate, and unlocked it. He gave us a ride to our car, and then walked beside our car as he directed my daughter to drive up onto the patio and weave between the tables outside the Visitor Center to reach the back road. He gave us instructions and directed us to the guy down at the back gate of the cemetery. With helicopters and Homeland Security , we expected to be stopped, but no one bothered us. Just as Curtis said, there was one lone man at the back gate, and he let us out. That long ordeal over, and not having slept in over 24 hrs, we drove to Mount Vernon and took the tour. Everyone should try to visit Mount Vernon , if they can. I now see D. C. rallies on the television, and I am happy to just be watching on my tv or youtube.

[@markbantz9699]

Good for you! Best regards from Italy.

[@florentinalestaru7273]

😂 epic trip! thanks for sharing! Greetings from over the pond!

[@Crazy_Diamond_75]

What an amazing story... thank you for sharing!

[@kcbh24]

Oh, what a night! Glad to hear you survived!

[@scottdinsmore9445]

Thanks for sharing all this! I lived in DC 12 years and grew to avoid such events, and worked with folk heroes like Curtis.

[@Christophe_derBerge-op9zh]

The rally to restore sanity and/or fear was one of the greatest events in my life!!! Went to the rally with hope and joy in my heart. Fell in love with a beautiful woman there and, instead of going back home 3 days later, lived with her in DC for 6 months!!! Please, please please John. Get the band back together and do this again!!! America NEEDS this!

[@crashtestdummy2337]

Thsts a bit wierd. Why didn't you guys get married?

[@LaoZi2023]

LoL! That is soo funny! You're exactly what Christian Nationalists fear most. Free, wanton, sexual revolutionary!

[@Christophe_derBerge-op9zh]

@crashtestdummy2337 I moved 6,000 miles away to pursue a lifelong dream. Long distance relationships are hard. Even harder in a place with no internet when the mail is delivered every two months. Minor misunderstandings become catastrophic when communication is nearly impossible.

[@sophieoshaughnessy9469]

Not everyone who meets and falls for each other gets married. Sounds like it might have been a blaze. Hope it left you with good memories.

[@Yowzoe]

@@crashtestdummy2337 if you think that anecdote is “weird”, I’d say you haven’t gotten out much.

[@jeanne-marie8196]

Great discussion. As a person who has lived into their eighth decade, I’m struck by the differences I experienced pre-Reagan. I guess one always felt the “us against them” disparity, but it didn’t consume every day life. Now that money is the upfront, displayed proudly motivation behind so much of life, I have become less hopeful decade by decade. For me, the major problem with our presidential campaigns, is the lack of money and lack of time limits for campaigning. The problem with our legislature comes from electing the people who spent the most money, and then, having our elected officials spend hours a day, fundraising! Why not spend hours a day working on helping the people of the country?

[@BangBang9er]

As soon as the Cold War ended we had no enemy and our focus started shifting inward. Then 911 happened and we had an enemy but he didn't wear a uniform or own a country and his ideology was that he hated us. It wasn't enough to keep us focused on the someone outside despite Afghanistan being the longest war in our history. Our search for the enemy is once again focused within. We should be focused externally on Putin, Kim Jong Un, and anti-democratic authoritarians at large but half our nation seems to be embracing them.

[@eliwebber6292]

Amen you could have the best ideas in the world to solve issues, and to help people, and the country, and be fair to everyone . but if you don't have money, your name will never appear on a ballot.And somehow they call it free. and fair elections .

[@AREZD1]

This is it - this talk was a talk about the real problems of our day and age. Thanks for it - and keep up this important work.

[@kreek22]

The real problems, according to elite Jews.

[@justpassingthrough...2492]

With a heavy focus on the irresponsible media. Amen.

[@NewsStuff-y5o]

I agree, It was a deep dive into the American psychology of yesterday through today. It just feels hopeless to right the ship, but sometimes I think when you are in something bad you can't see that you are in it and/or you can't see the end of it even if you do recognize you are in it. (Social media cultism and Trump cultism)

[@kreek22]

@@NewsStuff-y5o What the Left, in its navel-gazing madness, thinks is Trump cultism is actually something quite different. It is a revolt against the insane pseudo-American actual-imperial elite. Trump is merely the convenient symbol, the man willing to risk his fortune and his life surfing a movement far larger than he is. Why he is willing to take this risk all kinds of liars will spew out glib, mostly malicious answers to explain. I am willing to admit this is a question to which I do not have a clear answer. I'm not sure even Trump knows the answer. He does understand that the Left is the Hydra, and each of its heads is monstrous.

[@justanotherguy1794]

@@NewsStuff-y5o Consider: neither used the "C" word - CAPITALISM (Klein's allergic to it), so it certainly wasn't deep, but you could say they took a dive.

[@lucindabreeding]

Tucker Carlson has become an avatar of the people who raised me. I grew up with a lot of privilege. The adults around me were hard-working people who promised me that if I played by the rules and worked harder than anyone else, I would win the brass ring. Now I'm 52, and these folks who raised me are simultaneously very comfortably retired and so, so angry. I can't figure out if their anger is the result of feeling unfairly critiqued by younger, poorer and more ethnically diverse Americans, or if they realized that money really can't buy everything. They can't seem to lift their gaze from their own navels long enough to look at the world around them and really ask if our economy can continue to grow when so many young people spend more of their their paychecks on housing and healthcare, while carrying crazy debt from doing the right thing and going to college. Now, the same people who insisted that I had to go to college to live a good life accuse colleges of promoting socialism. They don't want to confront the reality that college is where some of us got our first credit cards before it became illegal for banks to set up tables outside of the college bookstore. They're doing well financially. Their grandchildren are not. And instead of asking why, it seems like they're training their guns onto their grandkids. I don't understand it.

[@irisbjones]

Perfectly stated. I'm still a Gen X punk railing against the elders who have been slamming the door in our faces since Reagan and 'right to work.'

[@Jordan-k8s]

Poetic. Terribly Poetic.

[@freshbiscuit]

It's called the shame/honor response. They feel ashamed that they let things get this way. But instead of reacting with the emotion of shame, which would require introspection, they react by doing everything they can to protect their honor - no matter how ridiculous the arguments are.

[@BangBang9er]

It's almost as if they have disassociated with the reality of the situation. It's like they have been tuned into a media that plays on their hopes and fears. They are unhappy with the world and have been handed scapegoats, the left, the youth, immigrants, urban poverty, etc. At least you are awake and not buying into a lazy mindset full of fear and anger.

[@BangBang9er]

@@freshbiscuit That's extremely interesting.

[@peggyc8473]

You always give me things Jon Stewart ; for my heart, mind, and my soul. Thank you.

[@carolelayman2795]

That is so true, Peggy!

[@jeromederosa9004]

The biggest enemy of Iranian people is Iranian Ali Khamenei and the biggest enemy of Jews are John Stewart, Bernie Sanders and other Jews who do not understand that Islam is a death cult and marxism is a poverty cult. Come talk to us at atheist republic debate club if you disagree.

[@Dfturcott]

I remember at the rally Jon said “we live in hard times, not end times.” And I always thought how great that was.

[@jspres86]

Loved that. I've always said people have been predicting World War 3 since the day after WW2 ended. It's tough, but considering what the country has been through in the past, it's nothing we can't overcome.

[@krystleklearcentral]

I went to the Rally, and yes, the sound was awful, but it was still a fantastic day. I made a new good friend there who I am still friends with today (14 years later), and met the kindest people on the bus after the rally who helped me find my way around NYC that night!

[@markbantz9699]

How refreshing! Two intelligent people having an intelligent conversation!

[@Youtuber-xs9cp]

Klein is young and immature,, keep around 2040. you would he was off alot, He might learn ,,But I dought it He will like Victoria Nuland.. Well respected but bad at predictions

[@jeromederosa9004]

The biggest enemy of Iranian people is Iranian Ali Khamenei and the biggest enemy of Jews are John Stewart, Bernie Sanders and other Jews who do not understand that Islam is a death cult and marxism is a poverty cult. Come talk to us at atheist republic debate club if you disagree.

[@Volunteersunrise]

You two clowns and your followers better buckle up , it's gonna get rough. Lol You elitist trash have a lot to learn.

[@mujkocka]

@@KZbinr-xs9cphe sounds mature and intelligent what point is immature? I mean elaborate your point. I honestly do not see why?

[@theatrlove]

@@KZbinr-xs9cp He's not that young and he's extremely mature for any age tbh.

[@Gracundrprssure]

Jon Stewart is so brilliant on multiple levels. He has such a deeep level of character, understanding and clarity time watching him is priceless.

[@gothboschincarnate3931]

Am I chopped liver?

[@suzymarie2316]

He’s a freakin insane tds nut. 😂

[@Ithel-gd7ex]

Not really. He's just a parrot for democraps just like carlston and shaperio are for republicunts.

[@suburbanyobbo9412]

He is awful.

[@JuliusTurner-hm6ff]

He's just like rest. Take the strings off puppet.

[@leighmsmith]

Jon Stewart. You should be proud of those moments. You are an iconic influence in so many. Don't tell anyone, but I remember those clips from 100years ago, and I know you didn't see your role as a source of news but you were and are. You were a bit of sanity amid a see if bullshit. Encouraged critical thought while laughing at the absurdity. You, Colbert, John Oliver, actually all of the Daily Show are the best damn news show on television. And you play an important role in engaging the broader public. We need more of you. We are seriously lacking in outreach

[@jspres86]

“How crazy is it when politicians are a joke and comedians are taken seriously?” - Will Rogers

[@rickiechristine]

Love Kurt, Von gets novels

[@rinosanchez2150]

I think of Jon as standup philosopher.

[@kidkong637]

As crazy as it is getting politics from their religious leaders and religion from political leaders.

[@BangBang9er]

@@kidkong637 Politics and religion are kissing cousins. Both are meant to shape society through culture and morality.

[@NightRogue77]

Comedy must be honest at its core in order to succeed, which is why conservative comedy generally fails. It’s always made sense to me that people trust comedians

[@GlendaPaull]

Canadian here who is addicted to American politics and Jon Stewart. I really enjoyed this intelligent discussion.

[@jasonkean7280]

John Stewart talking about Kurt Vonnegut honestly just makes my day.

[@loismcmasters4680]

Vonnegut's essays are brilliant.

[@SteveBoyington-i1e]

So it goes.

[@NewsStuff-y5o]

I am in a marginalized group due to my race. I live in a upper middle class area and I always feel when I deal with people individually there usually isn't any issue or marginalization - my neighbor's or the stores in my neighborhood. When people get to know each other and talk with each other perceptions are different. I think that was what Stewart was ending on. Social media, politicians and billionaires are just awful in pitting everyone against each other for subs/ ratings, votes and stocks. What is to blame? Money and/or power. Fear is a powerful motivator used to divide and conquer

[@GregoryAlbright-t3p]

I knew Vonnegut, and he would absolutely hate Stewart. He was a 'people need to bootstrap' guy. You would have hated him if you ever met him.

[@gabrielgirlz2848]

Today is November 4th. It is the eve of the election between Kamala Harris & Donald Trump. I am exhausted! I am also grateful for this palate cleanser of a conversation. Your interview helped to answer the question, "How did we get here?" Thank you for also "bringing the receipts" with clips illustrating how long Jon Stewart has been sounding the alarm. This should prove to my children we were not all complicit! 🥺

[@kreek22]

American decline: proof that demography is destiny. And what demographics are these two from? Oh, yes, THAT demographic, the one that pays to run the nation into h*ll.

[@18_rabbit]

precisely! Jon and then Colbert saved our souls and minds in those early dark years of around '05ish iirc onward, even '04? Many of us knew shiete was possibly on the way and then during Obama the neo-reactionaries started sounding off & apparently successfully getting organized. We have no choice now but to oppose it with all our energy, namely if DJT win's this election, in which case i predict a need for some historic unprecedented peaceful civil disobedience which is the only tool free ppl have when the courts don't stop a tramping on core and inalienable rights, ie rights are self-evident.

[@islifeacomedy3861]

You’re complicit in thinking you exist on a morally higher ground, which is magnitudes worse.

[@kreek22]

You are very far from understanding the world you live in.

[@RockandrollNegro]

Pallet cleanser? If you're going to assume an artificially moral and intellectual superiority, you should know the difference between 'palate' and 'pallet.'

[@WizardOfCause]

I was there for that event. It was the largest, most enjoyable, entertaining and uplifting mass event I've ever seen or attended. If nothing else, I got to be present for Ozzy, The OJs and Kat Stevens playing on stage together for a "train" medley. That will never, ever happen again. And of course, Mythbusters having the thousands of us "laugh like a mad scientist" and then jump to test the seismic read from our combined hop. It was incredible. Only time I ever enjoyed being in DC.

[@JENinthePM]

My husband and I went to the rally and it really was something else. We didn't even really see the show on stage... just walking around, seeing all the people and signs, was worth the trip. One of my favorites was "Hyperbole eats babies." As sad as it is that it didn't change the direction we were heading in, it was comforting to see so many people who, for lack of better way of putting it, "get it." Those people (and so many others who just didn't go to DC that day) are still out there.

[@lelacalhoun8362]

I was there I was there. My husband was there took , HBO just to see it., it was the beginning of the tea party. We, they had to do something we were so grateful to you guys

[@Gracundrprssure]

Best podcast yet. Thank you Ezra, you are both brilliant. Keeping up with Jon is no small feet while leading the context and flow, exceptionally well done and engaging.

[@zdubas]

Jon Stewart has not shaped my politics. However, his thoughtful insight has certainly shaped how I view and consume information and media through the years. I find him speaking more truthfully and more distinctly now than ever. The old adage says that those who seek power should not have it, and those who should have power do not want it....the same should be said about a platform from which to speak. Jon, you surely do not want to hear this, but you are my generation's Carlin.

[@kmshultz]

“Contrived urgency”! Now that is the very driving imperative of the media, the attention economy. The more often we can remember that, the more often we can step out of the madness. We should tape a piece of paper with those two words on it over the face of our phones and TVs every night before bed. Thank you, Jon.

[@thepro-truthpledgeatthemoe6797]

I LOVE watching these two perceptive and articulate minds share a camera up close! Great conversation!

[@SeattleScotty]

Ezra is the opposite of perceptive if you listened to his interview with Ta-Nihisi Coates.

[@karladavis6893]

I just read God Bless You, Mr. Rosewater and was gutted as ever when I read Vonnegut. I always recommend Sirens of Titan as people's first go. Or any collection of his short stories. I love Jon Stewart so much, what a gem.

[@FirstThief]

This reminds me of a statement my undergrad History Professor made during class: “There are two types of people who will always tell you the truth: a Historian, and a Comedian.”

[@Iskander448]

Unfortunately that does not apply to all historians and comedians.

[@Matthew-bf2nc]

MAGA

[@PeterParker-tu9id]

And how the history is written depends on the victors

[@donalvarez4006]

It’s actually drunks and kids

[@viviennea.293]

I fell in love with Jon Stewart because of his reply to Carlson.

[@hollandanish5557]

Wow! So great to listen to this. As you said a Rosetta Stone Moment. The political waters that we are all swimming in are not less perilous but at a minimum I feel less alone. So glad you came back for us Jon. We've really been missing you in this dark passage. Thank you and Ezra as always a thoughtful and thought provoking production. I love how you listen and let your guests be who they are. What you do is an art. Kudos!

[@Dee-x9f]

Ezra, what a brilliant idea to revisit the Rally with Jon at this moment! The thing that I always felt most people didn't get about The Daily Show back then was that Jon Stewart was focused not on right vs left wing politics, but criticizing the media itself: the rise of flagrant propaganda through lying and hyperbole, punditry in the 24-hour news cycle substituting for investigative reporting, emotional manipulation to keep eyeballs glued to the screen for advertisers. Jon tried to explain this during some in-depth interviews with tone-deaf journalists on the left. They never saw that it was the MESSAGING he was frustrated with because he could see, as a student of political history, where irresponsible journalism, spectacle, and campaigns of disinformation might lead us. I had no trouble understanding the point of the Rally to Restore Sanity at the time. I think the most of his viewers got it, too. The media did not (or would not).

[@carolelayman2795]

Great comment. Thanks for putting my thoughts down in words too!

[@kevinwillis6707]

It's a shame half the country took absolutely no notice, in fact liberal media joined in and it's become twice as bad.😢😢

[@sunshine3914]

@@kevinwillis6707 define “liberal” media.

[@sandracawthern327]

Yes! There. Remember AM radio. The hatred and Tea Party hurt my sensibilities. Fabulous day. Conversations with compatriots

[@chrisdraughn5941]

Rush Limbaugh was AM radio back then…

[@erc9468]

Of course the lies told about the Tea Party by scummy people like Ezra and Stewart are one of the reasons for the resentment that drove a lot of the Right towards Trump.

[@jonathangibson9482]

Jon Stewart talking about anxiety and such really hit home for me. He explained the feeling he and I and other folks have very well.

[@suziebify]

I was there with my 7 year old, it was very clear that it was a once in a lifetime event. It was perfect. We'd been to many protests and marches but this one was profound for many reasons, not the least because of the humor, soooo freaking funny.

[@jamesmiller5331]

And the world would have continued in the exact same trajectory whether the rally happened or didn't happen. Like Jon said. It was a Lark. Only the overly hopeful audience thought it was going to be anything more than that. There's a sucker born every second.

[@kimmileusnic3249]

I love listening to Jon Stewart. He always discusses serious issues that others do not with his weird humor intertwined around it.

[@JamesLeatherman]

Christ Almighty, I want these two talking in my ears every week, if not more.

[@ClubhouseCrime]

This crossfire moment is literally the best of Jon.💗💗💗💗

[@jonasking3670]

Sometimes when I want to feel like a sane human being again I will look up the Jon Stewart Crossfire episode. To whoever put that up: please don’t take it down. I’m begging you. It is glorious.

[@honeydew4084]

I love Jon Stewart. So brilliant.

[@kenelliott6897]

I will never forgive him for promoting racism against me

[@doougle]

I wet to the rally. I flew in to DC for the day from Atlanta. I met a couple from California on the Metro ride down to the mall. We spent the afternoon together and are still friends to this day.

[@marymorgan3244]

Good for you.

[@JuliusTurner-hm6ff]

Who cares!

[@jamesmiller5331]

Yeah I remember thinking it was going to be something. Then I went home and continued yelling at my TV like the week before.

[@jaymacpherson8167]

Such clarity! Thanks guys.

[@sylviapesek5193]

I actually ran across my 'Sanity and/or Fear' bumper sticker last week! Ah, looking back, those were such (relatively) innocent times, n'est-ce pas? I never watched 'Crossfire' because I absolutely despise "all hollering, all the time" programs. Jon was exactly right, it was theater. Also agree about Novak. I have never forgiven him for exposing Valerie Plame. Finally, Vonnegut ... YES! kiss-kiss!

[@MagioneUmbria]

This is why Stewart is so deliciously smart. Metaphorical 'orthogonality' can convey the idea of multiple directions or influences converging at a single point where each influence contributes something without directly overlapping the others. This interpretation captures a more nuanced kind of interaction - one where elements remain distinct but combine to produce a collective effect. And Stewart is smart enough to have recognized that nuance.

[@tkdjeanne]

Two greats speaking authentically and sanely, what a relief at this point.

[@kreek22]

Two bugmen.

[@RedlightNight]

Both of these men are obfuscating the truth about the role Jon played in the things he criticizes. How is that better than now?

[@lagautmd]

When the shift in TV news went from 'a required service, therefore loss leader for the network' to 'profit center for the network' the gig was up on rational journalism and genuine debate.

[@angelod.pizzullojr.8971]

As an attendee, it was great. I keep a few photos of the other attendees, and their great humor, on my wall.

[@billhobbs7077]

The fact that Jon basically quit the talking head gig to rescue horses is incredible

[@NiecyB]

I loved this. It's been rough being a " free thinker" these last several years. When politics became about a personality cult I lost so many people in my life, including my adult children. At this point I am completely alone. My late husband fell for Shawn Hannity and became controlling and then angry . I had to leave and he took his life. I think Jon Stesart rally in 2010 was good intentioned but I'm learned people don't like to be told they are insane lol. I have blamed social media, which tells people how to think. Even some younger people on the " left" want to believe conspiracies. It's been hard to figure out what was happening because of the trauma I've been through and my adult children have been through. My adult children seem so selfish and self centered and I care passionately about inequality. It's been hard living in a deep red county and getting hateful nasty messages from strangers and have old friends lose their mind over pride parades. Lol.Hopefully we have a way forward. I never imagined in my life I'd see white supremist openly marching down street.

[@lucindabreeding]

This. I don't have adult children, because I don't have children at all. But it is lonely sometimes. During covid, I marveled that so many of my friends and family were suddenly suspicious of public health policy that had managed and controlled infectious disease and lengthened our lifespans. Throughout covid, which I managed to contract once, I remember being shocked. I never thought the vaccine would be some sort of miracle. I knew that it would reduce deaths and blunt the more severe effects for a vulnerable people. I live in Texas, and I am gobsmacked at the people in my community who have adopted the fear and loathing of immigrant laborers, even as we are surrounded by those very same people quietly going about their business. I kid you not: I was once standing in my front yard chatting with a neighbor. She was wringing her hands, talking about how frightened she is of Latin American migrants. About 4 minutes into her monologue, one of the guys who works for the irrigation company that services and installs my sprinkler system repairs walked past us. She paused her speech about scary Latin American migrant laborers, smiled brightly at him, and said hi. It's frightening to see so many people co-opted by a well-funded political project so easily. They hit the talking points- this is an invasion!- but they do not live their lives like people who are being threatened or invaded.

[@marymorgan3244]

@@lucindabreeding. Thank you.

[@marymorgan3244]

Thanks for sharing. I hate what has happened and the cost to relationships that divisiveness has caused.

[@kreek22]

Wait are you saying the genocide of Palestinians is just a conspiracy that stupid young people believe. Maybe it's time for you to vote RFK or even Big Bad Orange.

[@MaryZiegler-n4d]

NiceyB - B strong - sending positive energy ur way. Same- have lost fam/acquaintances bc of maga. John & Ezra gave us intelligent insight & hope. We realists will prevail. peace 2 u.

[@JillKnapp]

I needed this today. And hell yes to Vonnegut. ❤️

[@wanglelife]

This interview is pure gold. GOLD!

[@faithmatthews830]

After yesterday's election, watching this calm conversation I feel like I just finished a therapy session. And now I'm going to go reread my favorite book or I'll order the book Jon recommended. Thanks for this moment of sanity in this insane world!

[@jfs78]

I so admire Jon Stewart. He is a remarkable intellectual, who can swirl through many troublesome topics with humor and a delightful sense that carries over to various audiences

[@kenelliott6897]

I will never forgive him for promoting racism against me!

[@BangBang9er]

There is a lot to parse here. This is by far one of the best interviews I have seen in a LONG time.

[@khai4202]

What a sensible man

[@mmacken42]

Two of the best human beings on Earth. Thank you for sharing.

[@debbiee5697]

Great interview-thank you!

[@florentinalestaru7273]

i usually save your podcast episodes for later when i have time. For this one I made time ❤ Thank you both! ❤

[@privateperson4842]

Jon Stewart is a treasure and humble hero💜 ..and professional fact-seeker, and clear, humorous communicator. Thank you!!!

[@audreymuzingo933]

I watched this video this morning. All day long I've been thinking about what Jon said about people, (paraphrasing:) that 80-90% of us could get along and pull together .... (and here is where I thought he was going to say the rest are something like Hillary's "basket of deplorables" or some version of "hopeless") ..... but no .... he said the remaining small percent are the ones running things. My god. I would only go one step further and point out that the REASON 80-90% of us are NOT pulling together is because the ones running things make sure we don't.

[@jp12x]

Thank you John Stewart!

[@ZiggyXb]

"I shouldn't be telling you this" shows Crow with knife $CAW $CAW!!💯🙌🏽

[@texasflood1295]

I want my politicians boring but boring politics doesn’t sell anymore.

[@kreek22]

FDR and LBJ made the Leftist America you love. They were far from boring.

[@jjj1951]

"What the Senate used to be before it became an assisted living facility"

[@jessicaheger1880]

I absolutely love learning that Jon Stewart adores Vonnegut as much as I do!! ✨💙✨

[@citizenenak]

MTG's father worked building homes all day with that playing in the background. The AM waves have been indoctrinating rural America for some time

[@ImFAULKn]

John Stewart would make a fantastic president imo

[@2dclxvi]

“It is difficult to get a man to understand something, when his salary depends on his not understanding it.” ― Upton Sinclair At this point it's the core business model for Twitter, Facebook, KZbin, TikTok, Instagram, etc.

[@sowireless]

Jon Stewart is the Albert Einstein of media and political thinking. So brilliant!

[@tonyhill2318]

Wow look how ezra immediately changes the topic when Stewart nails the culpability of the media (including nyt) in not being driven the promote truth over engagement. I like Ezra, he's a great interviewer, but I sense him avoiding certain uncomfortable deeper institutional truths.

[@jspres86]

Because at the end of the day, he still has people that he has to answer to. If Ezra criticizes the NYT one too many times, he gets let go and has to find another job. Wash, rinse, repeat. That's what makes Jon so unique and loved by people, is that he answers to no one but himself and the viewers.That may not actually be the case, but the perception is that he is not bound by bias or loyalty to any outside brand.

[@patriciagrandjean8205]

@@jspres86Well, he did cut ties to Apple+ when they wouldn’t let him take up certain subjects. I think he chafes under corporate control, and he walks the walk. He could have stayed with TDS in 2015-he was offered $50 million a year to stay-but he felt he was going stale back then and left. I don’t think he allows himself to get “owned” by anybody.

[@theatrlove]

Quite frankly, the criticism doesn't apply to Ezra. He's an intellectually honest journalist and opinionist. He doesn't engage in clickbait that I've seen.

[@mouksb2000]

This was excellent...a real treat...like eating really fancy ice cream while watching re-runs of the Daily Show circa 2005-2007...Cat's Craddle and Breakfast of Champions are both on my list. Merciii for a great exchange

[@nancychandler367]

Awesome that we have Jon Stewart on team Blue 👏 🇺🇸 💙 Vote Harris/Walz. Republican against Trump here.

[@kreek22]

There are no Republicans against Trump. No such person would have the indecency to vote for the party of mass baby murder and endless trans-mutilation. You are a liar.

[@jeromederosa9004]

The biggest enemy of Iranian people is Iranian Ali Khamenei and the biggest enemy of Jews are John Stewart, Bernie Sanders and other Jews who do not understand that Islam is a death cult and marxism is a poverty cult. Come talk to us at atheist republic debate club if you disagree.

[@clintow]

"A hopeful heartbroken man" is the perfect description of Stewart himself

[@_kreetch9231]

Thank you for releasing this for the morning get ready

[@christophergoolsbee]

Jon Stewart is the elder statesmen in me. He speaks the language of my heart in this political world. So cool to learn about the behind the scenes understanding of media. Nothing is more interesting to me these days.

[@claireconover]

john stewart and stephen colbert… god, tv was good back then.

[@michaelf8221]

Are you aware that they still both have a show? On TV every week still!

[@claireconover]

@@michaelf8221 yes, but stewart is only on once a week and the late show just isnt half as funny as the colbert report.

[@nancychandler3673]

I still watch them both. Colbert still helps many of us get through the insanity of Trump and Right-wing nutters.

[@claireconover]

@@nancychandler3673 I still watch the daily show on mondays, plus late show monologues (colbert, meyers, kimmel) on youtube. I’ll watch all of last week tonight sometimes. last week tonight is my favorite now.

[@kreek22]

Two bugmen with no real humor. Pravda simply isn't funny.

[@keisha2120]

Jon's empathy to what happened to Tucker and Megan Kelly's breakdown is really refreshing. they really went so angry and hateful

[@jspres86]

It really was, I actually felt sympathy towards them after hearing Jon talk about it. Part of me hopes they heard this and sent Jon a small "thank-you" email.

[@mujkocka]

@@jspres86I have no sympathy for either of them. I hope they ended up with the justice they deserve

[@Makerx2011]

I attended this rally. It was sooooo crowded. Jon Stewart ❤

[@6dragondaddy913]

Jon needs to run for President next time. We need to make him.

[@Idiocracy.is-real]

Brother he cannot he is a member of the tribe, he is not Aryan

[@veronicahazel-j2h]

Fantastic video🔥🔥! I have incurred so much losses trading on my own....I trade well on demo but I think the real market is manipulated.... Can anyone help me out or at least tell me what I'm doing wrong??

[@khalidaljassia]

Trading on a demo account can definitely feel similar to the real market, but there are some differences. It's important to remember that trading involves risks and it's normal to face looses sometimes. One piece of advice is to start small and gradually increase your investments as you gain more experience and confidence. It might also be helpful to seek guidance from experienced traders or do some research on different trading strategies.

[@alesyanichiporuk]

If you are trading without a professional guide... Ah, I laugh, because you will stay where you are or even suffer huge losses that will prevent you from trading, this has been one of the biggest problems for new traders.

[@alaafaeq-k2c]

I think l'm blessed if not I have met someone who is as spectacular as expert mrs Fenella.. Highly recommended🙌

[@BettySandra688]

Wow, I'm surprised to see Fenella mentioned here as well. I didn't know she had been kind to so many people

[@mauriciolillo-y6l]

​I'm also a huge beneficiary of her.. I thought myself and my family were the only ones enjoying Fenella trade benefits...

[@heather5208]

So devastated. 😞

[@MelissaTheButterfly]

I love a Jon Stewart 💙 😍 ❤️

[@kenelliott6897]

I will never forgive him for promoting racism against me

[@Skybuilt]

Unlike some conservative politicians, the beard looks incredible Ezra. It's a great beard.

[@jjjccc728]

Really enjoyed this one. It was orthogonal to a lot of other interviews. In a good way.

[@gerym341]

Very orthogonal indeed

[@alexishoare]

@@gerym341 Completely orthogonal (quickly Googles the definition of orthogonal)

[@KathrynTanner-t8f]

Sound is glitching a lot. It's getting annoying. Almost turned off and then thought "Is this some kind of hack to keep me from listening to this?" This angst over the disastrous election is making me paranoid. Maybe.

[@benethermind9765]

I travelled from Copenhagen to the rally and thoroughly enjoyed it and especially the very friendly atmosphere on the very full metros.

[@plasmaWisp]

I remember watching Rally to Restore Sanity back in college on our tiny flatscreen. It really meant something for us.

[@nancysherry9088]

Thanks you John Stewart and Ezra.

[@peacefuljourneyofhealing]

Jon Stewart for President #Stewart2028 Please save America!! You are the perfect person at this moment! ❤

[@user-fi6qr8wb9u]

Trump we'll fix everything from the last 4 Years it'll be okay

[@Beautyaddixion]

It was rare, I was there, I still have the shirt!! Rally to Restore Sanity. 💕

[@allamaadi]

Wonderful. Thank you for the interview.

[@carolelayman2795]

Thanks Ezra, really enjoyed this discussion. I went back and listened to parts of it a second time! I rarely do that. ))

[@vjcodec]

Stewart 2028 🙏

[@MsBuddhabelly]

There aren't many that can hold their own with JS. Great job. Excellent interview. 🇨🇦

[@redtigr]

And now I'm subscribing. 💙

[@vc27r]

My college buddy and I road tripped 24 hours overnight from South Dakota to DC for this. One of the best decisions I’ve ever made!

[@LJ-wo1wf]

Don’t know if Jon Stewart remembers, but his and Colbert’s press conference after the rally was down the hall from my own wedding. Tell him we wished we could’ve said hi.

[@mayswordsmusic]

Thank you Jon, for the Cheney comments. I feel the same way you do!

[@ultravioletgaia]

Jon. What you're looking for is the word Narcissist. Tucker Carlson and Donald Trump are textbook narcissists. They are both humiliated publicly and they snapped.

[@edwardpereira8430]

Around 21:26 Stewart hits Klein with harsh truth about the excuse he just made ("the media is not in control, it's not self-directed, it reflects the public") for the media to avoid responsibility. Stewart says I'm paraphrasing - "Rather than being engaged in battle in support of the truth, you're just part of the algorithm, chasing the clicks/money." As Klein tends to do when faced with his capability, he shifts to something else rather than addressing or even acknowledging that truth.

[@t.sniffin3031]

I think you misinterpreted what Jon said--he was agreeing with what Klein had to say and emphasized it. Klein then took the discussion deeper in why that reality exists. Probably shouldn't paraphrase and actually listen to what they both have to say.

[@edwardpereira8430]

No, I think I heard him correctly. Jon actually revisits that point at least two more times and Klein doesn’t respond to it.

[@t.sniffin3031]

​@@edwardpereira8430 Nope...you pulled small part out of context of a larger discussion that Klein continues, which is something that Jon also criticized the media doing. Here's the word-for-word transcription of most of it, starting at 19:20 (I'm transcribing it, because you clearly need to actually read what they say):: Stewart:"....The way that we are divided as people, some of it is political and weaponized by political actors, but the majority of it is capitalism. Capitalism with the idea of “How do I generate the most income out of engagement?” And it turns out fear and anger and hate and outrage pay huge. I’m not suggesting that a monkey washing a cat isn’t a tremendous video, and that will also get clicks, but that’s not a business model. The business model is creating an atmosphere of outrage and anger. And so when you ask, does that have an effect? It absolutely does. And I think it does rewire the brains of the users. Klein: "When I was on your show, we were talking about a piece of this. You were saying there was AM radio, and then there was Fox News. And one thing that has happened in my lifetime - and I’m 40 - is this tremendous segmentation. The media broke into these little competitive slices, and competition can be great in the sense that it creates a lot of innovation. And if the innovation is how to get your little slice away from everybody else, sometimes the competition can become warping. And one of the things I always think people get really wrong about the media is they think that it is stronger and more self-directed than it is, particularly when it has gotten very, very competitive." Stewart: When you say “self-directed,” what do you mean by that? Klein: "I’ve been involved in lots of different media over the years, and something that has surprised me, going from somebody who reads it to somebody who makes it, is watching the way the media comes to reflect its audience, unless a tremendous amount of editorial strength is applied in the opposite direction. So the sense of the media driving the audience is not quite right." Stewart: "You just named the game. And I think we talked about this. A lie travels eight times faster than the truth, but that means that the truth has to work nine or 10 times harder than a lie. And lies are the thing that are most weaponized. The truth is rarely weaponized, but the lies sure as sh@t are, because that’s what propaganda is. So the thing that you just said about the media not being self-directed, I think is probably putting your finger on, in my mind, exactly what is troubling: that they themselves are victims of the incentivized algorithm that they’re trying to compete with, as opposed to viewing it as part of an ongoing battle to combat lies." Both of them are talking about how the media landscape has changed into this kind of competitive tribalistic depictions of reality with Jon agreeing with Klein's point that the media isn't actually self-directed unless there's a strong voice in editorial--the journalists who actually doing the work and making decisions on content--and that it's actually the victim of the business model imposed on it. Klein then steers the conversion toward how that model affects the editorial content, starting with Jon's own Daily Show and how the two forms. There's a much more nuanced and deeper discussion than the "gotcha" moment you're portraying it was, and you're missing it completely.

[@edwardpereira8430]

Agree to disagree, it's funny, you're doing exactly what Klien does, nuanced yourself out of a basic point: Stewert: The business model is creating an atmosphere of outrage and anger. Klein: the media comes to reflect its audience unless a tremendous amount of editorial strength is applied in the opposite direction. So the sense of the media driving the audience is not quite right." (We bear no responsibility for this, we're just a mirror, we only call balls and strikes.) Stwert: A lie travels eight times faster than the truth, but that means that the truth has to work nine or 10 times harder than a lie. And lies are the things that are most weaponized. The truth is rarely weaponized, but the lies sure as sh@t are because that’s what propaganda is. So the thing that you just said about the media not being self-directed, I think is probably putting your finger on, in my mind, exactly what is troubling: that they are victims of the incentivized algorithm that they’re trying to compete with, as opposed to viewing it as part of an ongoing battle to combat lies." (You're in the business of creating this outrage and fear, rather than fighting the battle for truth.) Then Klien's next question moves on to the different formats Jon's work is shared. I think you're missing an important point and Stewert revisits this problem of not fighting for the truth at least more. Klien does not address it. But hey, everyone is entitled to their opinion.

[@t.sniffin3031]

@edwardpereira8430 @edwardpereira8430 No, you're just projecting your own biases on what two friends actually said. You managed to hear what you want to hear, and ignore what you don't. And you wind up putting words in people's mouths. There's zero way to "nuance yourself" out of a basic point. The devil is in the details. There is, however, a way to be incapable of understanding a point made because you've generalized individuals to such a point that you simply fail to process what your ears hear and you replace it with your assumptions. Which is why you're susceptible to that propaganda algorithm Jon is talking about.

[@vishikag]

Outstanding production design. Take a bow. Brilliant discourse. Proud to be alive to just witness this quality.

[@elenajaxon434]

Jon Stewart 2028🙏🏽

[@TimeIdle]

Ezra Klein and Jon Stewart. What great symphony!

[@kreek22]

As Wagner noticed, the Jews have no real creativity, just criticism, a purely Talmudic frame of mind, petty and destructive.