The Road to Damascus | Revisionist History | Malcolm Gladwell

What happens when a terrorist has a change of heart? An Islamic militant, who left a trail of destruction in Europe, crosses over to work for the CIA. And then, one day, vanishes.
Season 2 (2017)
#podcast #revisionisthistory #malcolmgladwell
ABOUT REVISIONIST HISTORY
Revisionist History is Malcolm Gladwell’s journey through the overlooked and the misunderstood. Every podcast episode re-examines something from the past - an event, a person, an idea, even a song - and asks whether we got it right the first time. Because sometimes the past deserves a second chance.
ABOUT MALCOLM GLADWELL
Malcolm Gladwell is president and co-founder of Pushkin Industries. He is a journalist, a speaker, and the author of six New York Times bestsellers including The Tipping Point, Blink, Outliers, David and Goliath, and Talking to Strangers. He has been a staff writer for the New Yorker since 1996. He is a trustee of the Surgo Foundation and currently serves on the board of the RAND Corporation.
ABOUT PUSHKIN INDUSTRIES
Pushkin Industries is an audio production company dedicated to creating premium content in a collaborative environment. Co-founded by Malcolm Gladwell and Jacob Weisberg in 2018, Pushkin has launched seven new shows into the top 10 on Apple Podcasts (Against the Rules, The Happiness Lab, Solvable, Cautionary Tales, Deep Cover, The Last Archive, and Lost Hills), in addition to producing the hugely successful Revisionist History. Pushkin’s growing audiobook catalogue includes includes the bestselling biography “Fauci,” by Michael Specter, “Hasta La Vista, America,” Kurt Andersen’s parody Trump farewell speech performed by Alec Baldwin, "Takeover" by Noah Feldman, and “Talking to Strangers,” from Pushkin co-founder Malcolm Gladwell. Pushkin is dedicated to producing audio in any format that challenges listeners and inspires curiosity and joy.
STAY CONNECTED
Web: www.pushkin.fm/podcasts/revis...
Twitter: / gladwell
Facebook: / malcolmgladwellbooks
Instagram: / malcolmgladwell
Newsletter: www.pushkin.fm/newsletter

[@rafa374]

A DISCUSSION OF US JOURNALISM [SUPPOSEDLY] VS CIA AND NO MENTION OF ASSANGE? Western journalism has been imprisoned with him for at least 12 yeras. Normally v stimulating, Gladwell here is giving us the journalistic equivalent of a Hollywood movie.

[@OurNewestMember]

100%. I found this really interesting, but he comes across as painting the press and intelligence as having this "constructive, adversarial" relationship when that doesn't appear to be the case on issues that matter most. Puff piece for the CIA and the press.

[@timothyrobyncoan493]

I liked how you let the silence speak.

[@CViewer70]

A powerful podcast. Two very opposing viewpoints doing an internal dance. This podcast really makes you think. Hopefully… because each has its important merits and virtues. Thanks for story.

[@carlloeber]

I can't believe how good this is..

[@altx.gnz4283]

Thank you for this video! I was thinking about some of the things you laid out here and now I can see everything from a better perspective thanks to you. I agree that the fifth point is if the most relevance. 🙏

[@OurNewestMember]

What an interesting topic! Thanks for revealing this insight!

[@frederickschwarz3883]

Thank You Kindly Mr Gladwell. Your content is, as they say in the industry, Treasure

[@gaetanovindigni8824]

Time to listen. Time to learn. Time to think. Thx.

[@pinkgarage]

amazing story...

[@revivlerech9020]

A great story told in a great way. Thank you.

[@ericvallee6507]

Glad I found your Channel!!!

[@ADarrell]

Don't always agree with Mr Gladwell, but he never fails to enlighten me. He is a treasure of our time.

[@rogerpatry5167]

Wow. What a thought provoking story. I loved the clarity of the comment that the diff between the CIA and KGB is a free and aggressive press within a democracy. That rang so true. Thank you

[@kellyowens1868]

If you think the US currently has a free, & independent media, aka a free press, you're living on a different planet than the rest of us. John Brennan, Obama's CIA Chief was working for MSNBC before Trump was even in the White House. Twitter, & the legacy media gladly quashed the Hunter Biden laptop story, despite the fact it was 100% true, & accurate in every way, altering the outcome of the 2020 election, according to polling of eligible American voters, 16% of whom said knowing the Hunter Biden laptop story was true would have caused them to cast their vote differently. Those are registered Democrats saying that for the most part. Even if those voters had decided to stay home, & not vote at all, Trump wins in one of the largest electoral landslides of all time. John Brennan was a signatory to the infamous "51 Itel agency experts say Hunter Biden laptop story is Russian disinformation," disinformation operation.

[@semtexstu3686]

its a pity that Malcolm Gladwell himself only agrees with a free and aggressive press when they are saying things that he agrees with.

[@faithburns8379]

“Free and aggressive Press”? Funny

[@hungryhungryhippos370]

Silly of Weiner and Gladwell to pretend that the US is the only country in the world with a truly free press, and that the CIA is uniquely accountable as a result. The mentioned UK "d-notices" are not legal, but merely asks, much the same way that the CIA and other government agencies in the US ask the press not to report this and that. This became a story only because people in the government wanted it to become a story.

[@OurNewestMember]

When has the CIA operated alongside a "free and aggressive press within a democracy"?

[@NhatLinhNguyen82]

Thank you Malcom. Always interesting and facinating stories.

[@katev3832]

Perfectly delivered. Thank you, Malcolm. And I really like the background music.

[@JG-us9lu]

I have read quite a few of Gladwells books. Following the Munk Debate I now wonder whether any of his findings are actually based in fact or just his opinions.

[@photografiq_presents]

and? You don't think his opinions are well informed? You're still paying attention so you still some value in listening.

[@JG-us9lu]

@@photografiq_presents And your point is?

[@Bobboberson1234]

​@nudenut1916 the guy is such an arrogant asshat

[@whizwhitney]

Stop the damn background music

[@jerseyfresh9187]

I’m enjoying the entire RH series. Late to the game on it. Being that my husband really looks like a young Al Pacino, of course I took a side!

[@ADd-qv9bt]

Atmospheric music. Perhaps the next video should include bowler hat and cane.

[@mikeycanterbury1421]

wish i never saw the debate, eecccckkkk dam man i use to love this dude

[@Catman1116]

The Company Man. Rizzo certainly was. As a Company Man of 30 years, he was required to submit his text for a security review. The book is a whitewash. Ollie North was a good guy, and the WMDs was just some kinda mistake.

[@frederickschwarz3883]

Loyalty & Respect are paramounr

[@johnhemming445]

Good Story

[@govindagovindaji4662]

18:53 "What is their motivation to tell the NYT?" [or media in general]. My answer would have been to find out if the American people are ok with having an asset who retains freedom but who also has harmed Americans (and I assume never paid for it). My bet is that there would be as much a dispute on the outside of the CIA as was occurring inside the CIA.

[@juliefinkelstein1674]

Thank you, pls provide some book titles fo Of 2nd tiers

[@georgepaciullo8260]

Yes, i saw that Monk debate. Very disappointing and quite frankly embarrassing for Malcolm.

[@photografiq_presents]

He's gonna be ok. He's never claimed to be the massiah, just some guy asking questions to satisfy his own curiosity and telling us what he found.

[@OurNewestMember]

​@@photografiq_presents or he was absorbed into the media machine because he could serve the purpose of amplifying the desired messages while adding to the illusion of a diversity of opinions that just happen to agree with "the correct perspective on things" (doesn't mean he's not talented, though, just that there's a vested interest in overrepresenting people with the "acceptable" biases). Also his performance in the munk debate was egregious (personally found it deeply disappointing, but of course it's good he felt comfortable to express himself). But it's sad to think of the other talented voices get passed over for book promotions due to ideology. Also sad if someone like him gets setup for difficulty if it's not clear that part of the interest in promoting him might have been for his ideological leanings (rather than mostly the main contents of his work) You're right; it's not the end of things for anyone, but it's pretty disappointing.

[@boofoobj]

This tone is totally opposed to how this man actually thinks and presents himself in conflict with people who oppose his point of view…

[@OurNewestMember]

This interview was super interesting, but can still see his unfettered bias coming through. He's basically carrying water for the permanent surveillance state by ignoring the overwhelming degree of resources and secrecy that could vastly overwhelm any trivial concession in a journalistic a "negotiation" for national security. Also the provided example of an incident of "the responsible press" acting (in face of an irresponsible president leaking sensitive info to an adversarial government actor!) might or might not have been chosen for political reasons.

[@theloniouscoltrane3778]

Investigative Journos Bob Woodward Mark Bowden Seymour Hersh Steve Coll Jane Mayer Mike Isikoff Tim Weiner

[@johnsimspon8893]

Hi Malc!!!

[@PhoebeFayRuthLouise]

That is such a sad story.

[@OurNewestMember]

28:10 "it was a strong preference" from the organization that "has six ways from Sunday" to exact revenge on you. That long delay in answering "did the CIA tell you what to publish?" Is so telling: "it's completely your choice, kiddo. Free press and all, right?"

[@rynes.rai7er993]

Absolutely fascinating!!! A couple takeaways: 1. If "Mr. Pacino" went through his process of atonement to it's most thorough conclusion, his atonement will have been realized in it's most complete form in the NEXT life. 2. No one Truly escapes judgement for our damage we do in THIS life, during this life. We all die. "No one here gets out alive." Even Jesus suffered "judgement" in THIS life, though the first, last, and only human being that ever has been or ever will be, Truly innocent of the judgement He received. Lay up your treasures in Heaven folks. You can't take anything you gain in this life into the next life, except eternal condemnation. Love and blessings to all!!!

[@OurNewestMember]

Okay, but what if the powers that be mean for you to relish the treasures during this limited window that was provided for you as a gift?

[@Djordj69]

It's lonely at the top !

[@lnl3237]

First time Mr. Gladwell came up on my KZbin queue and when I saw it was posted only 3 wks ago, I was interested to see if his Munk debate debacle would be addressed in the comments. It was. I watched that debate and actually felt sorry for Mr. Gladwell. Felt I was literally watching someone self-immolate. A reputation is a fragile thing and he allowed his base emotions to run roughshod over his reason. It was really quite shocking and appalling to see. I fear he has done irreparable damage to his career.

[@OurNewestMember]

It was disappointing and confusing how someone who's probably so talented could not only formulate those arguments but take such an unbecoming tone.

[@briansmutti]

the music is too loud and distracting tho not as bad as some videos/podcasts, it is still too loud if you were on stage and telling the same story, would you allow someone in the audience to be blasting their boombox? or if you were teaching a college class, would you allow a student to be playing their music? no music can enhance a video, but is best when used more intermittently and at a lower volume

[@tigertiger1699]

Excellent.., hard calls.. we outside the CIA & even outside the US.. need the US/ CIA to be both above board and fight the nastiest people/ ideas on planet… always in debt🙏🙏🙏🌹🌹🌹

[@alextrevino3284]

I had all of his books then he came with Talking to Strangers, what a disappointment. When I saw the debate at Monk, I came to realize that the best of him was taken over by ideology and not by scientific thought. I am also a minority, born in Mexico and moved to USA when I was around 25 years of age. I knew I had an advantage, but it was not my race or my origin, it was work ethics and my studies. I moved up trough the ranks of the company by merit and not by exploiting any of today’s non-sense. I took all of Malcom’s books out of by bookshelf and now they sit in a box in the basement. A privilege mind like his is only privilege when it expresses the truth, not their truth.

[@photografiq_presents]

This is third dumbest comment I've read today :D :D You're faux outrage, grrrrr lol. go burn your books, its not an airport and you don't need to announce your departure.

[@michaelangel7280]

The ex-terrorist, in my opinion, got better than he deserved. I don’t agree with Mr Gladwell that he was wronged and deserved the atonement that he asked for. I think that he took his chances and almost got away with all those murders and terrorist acts. That would have been the crime if he got off the hook for it all just by giving some good intelligence, just because he asked for atonement. That isn’t the correct punishment (price for atonement) for terrorism in our society. And the CIA wasn’t trying to turn on him; they were actually trying to keep his secret in exchange for information. But times changed, rules around accountability and conduct and vetting, etc… changed, so the ex-terrorist got caught up in the changes and got the punishment he deserved. Imagine if you were a family member of someone he had murdered - learning that he escaped justice because he was giving good intel to the CIA would not have satisfied you. Too bad the intel stopped coming, but murderers should pay the price.

[@OurNewestMember]

Kind of strange to say that the CIA is operating in a democracy with an aggressive press if massive crimes can be willfully overlooked for so long without democratic accountability (even if a closed committee did the voting, the public would need to know how the members voted to further vote for representation) Ie, your take makes sense, but there's a sliver of a chance that an actual democratic process might say, "that's terrible and deserves accountability but we would like him to keep providing massive benefit to the public" ... Assuming there was actual informed consent for the public, which there appears not to be. So there are multiple structural problems preventings the will of the voters being realized (many of whom would agree with you)

[@marwaabdalmoneam5195]

The way they talk about the freedom of speech in the States sound too good to be true.

[@patrick6110]

Extraordinary story! I like how it shows the rotten culture that exists at the NYT. In case people cannot see it by reading the paper. Cultures are very important, arguably more important than facts. Facts come and go, in particular since many things presented as facts are not facts and don't even stand the test of time, but culture taints everything that's written and eventually influences readers.

[@stormythelowcountrykitty7147]

The NYT is pretty much an American Pravda.

[@ericbeauchamp8190]

Gladwell really showed everybody how he is an intelectual fraud at the monk debate.

[@terraloft]

Remorse achieves only self destruction as i cannot handle consequences. Repentance relinquishes self to God's sovereignty as only He can handle consequences.

[@bigtex5343]

We didn’t have the right to give it to him in the first place and we didn’t take it away because we had no ride to give it to him in the first place

[@augurcybernaut4785]

Bob Woodward…..!? Isn’t he one of this old white men you chided Matt Tiabi for…?

[@James-cz5hf]

The trolls in this comment section verify the story.

[@charlytaylor1748]

A lot of us were surprised ND disappointed when "Malc" revealed his true self.

[@mencken8]

There is no hope for the demise of revisionist history as long as the demand for doctoral dissertations remains.

[@terraloft]

Transformed by Creator God, redeemed by the blood of Jesus Christ, repentance is my umbilical cord to rebirth... Any good in me is amark of regenerating power of indwelling Holy Spirit

[@peacemaker9301]

It was a good story but aside from the ethics, MG's use of the bible is a bit screwed. 1) The Damascus Road story is not about forgiveness but about Paul's Conversion - he "saw the light" 2) Malcolm's use of expiation is a bit of the mark. It's supposed to be about the washing away of the guilt by a sacrifice to some deity. In Malcolm's use 'the asset' comes forward to salve his own consience. MG doesn't mention anything about the CIA taking on a priestly role to pronounce absolution!

[@davidwilkie9551]

Malcolm has a religious reference system. The person who Christians base their beliefs (be live) on went into the desert alone to listen and receive knowledge of wisdom, a "Know your Self" practise. Institutional Religions are, at best a parody of faith in the practise, never needing to be emulated personally, because it's very difficult to understand what is legitimate conscious vs personal safety. There is a time delay when matching pulse-evolution cause-effect with metastable proportioning.

[@amerigo88]

Nobody can follow your second paragraph.

[@truedisciple2897]

It's unfortunate that "Al Pacino" sought absolution grom the CIA/humans. That's why the Bible advocates confessing sins to God, not man. We should only confess faults one to another. James 5:16

[@bigtex5343]

Only God can forgive

[@Kafkaesque786]

Free Assange please

[@veely5363]

Used to like Malcolm. Since his Monk debate appearance I can't take him serious.

[@paulmanias8269]

That's OK. We can't take you seriously with your poor grammar.

[@chadillac2472]

I hold Intellectuals to a higher standard than the average bird. All that to say I concur 1000%.

[@johnb4871]

Then you should listen to his podcast where he basically dissects that disaster. He’s not afraid to admit when he screws up.

[@chadillac2472]

@@johnb4871 I might do that, but his performance was so beyond disappointing that at this point I'm not interested in anything he has to say. Not unlike Sam Harris. Once someone that I highly regard for their intellect, thoughts and opinions shows their true colors, that's it for me.. I do my best to not be a member of the United States of Amnesia...

[@johnb4871]

@@chadillac2472 I think the podcast I’m referring to is more representative of his true colors - he is open to learning from his mistakes. It’s a great listen as he is schooled by pros at the NY Debate Society ( or some such name) - they don’t mince words.

[@sheldon-dy2zq]

You'd do best to understand there was no "freewill" when Saul got knocked off his ass on way to Damascus. You'd be best to listen to Paul Simons Lamentations and discover he like Paul discovered the Messiah already came. He's coming again and your trite celebraty worship (lower tier biographies) is already moth eaten. Suddenly you discover Jakob is Israel. Yep it's the dogs and they're everywhere. And then comes Lazarus

[@nihilioellipsis]

Intriguing but vague. maybe I'm just not the audience you had in mind.

[@dexstewart2450]

Mandela became a hero after being a Terrorist

[@scottconlon5124]

AdeDcamp

[@raystaar]

This is sycophantic twaddle.

[@lenitavanhoff2961]

What a shame. Unlistenable due to annoying music

[@jamesgorman7846]

A guy who claims that you should never move your car into the passing lane ( And ,YES! he had the stats!!!) isn't worth listening to on any matter more profound then car crash prevention.

[@hilariousname6826]

So ... did you listen to this?

[@michaelmurphy839]

Malcolm- you’re the best, but you’re a victim of your own success. In 40 minutes your video was interrupted by commercials 10 times. I hope you’re taking it in on the KZbin ad $$$

[@bigtex5343]

Sounds like Malcolm Gladwell is making excuses for Poor journalism!

[@victoriaman117]

You may be an amazing author, however I lost all respect for you after the Monk debates.

[@cwbrooks5329]

@victoriamann117 If you "lost all respect" for Gladwell, then why are you listening to his channel?

[@nancyhope2205]

Every hero has feet of clay. We are all multifaceted. Take the good and leave the bad. Respect proportionally.

[@Sedan1973]

The best way to loose respect for someone is to study their every move

[@starnejme6902]

Yes, it was cringy to watch.

[@mostlyguesses8385]

... Gladwell was jerk in 1 hour debate and you lose all respect?. No famous person hasn't messed up something 1 week over decades of work... What wokeness, using mistake to call person entirely bad.... It's really a bad worldview, calling as unforgiveable a person when they do bad work amid overall good work... It feels good, let's us yell at smarter people... Woke people need to be nicer..