“The Infernal Machine” Author on Power, Polarization and Political Violence | Amanpour and Company

Another, earlier, time of extremist turmoil occurred in New York in the early 20th century, when violent anarchists threatened the established order. This phenomenon is the focus of Steven Johnson's new book, "The Infernal Machine." He discusses it with Walter Isaacson.
Originally aired on May 21, 2024
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Amanpour and Company features wide-ranging, in-depth conversations with global thought leaders and cultural influencers on the issues and trends impacting the world each day, from politics, business and technology to arts, science and sports. Christiane Amanpour leads the conversation on global and domestic news from London with contributions by prominent journalists Walter Isaacson, Michel Martin, Alicia Menendez and Hari Sreenivasan from the Tisch WNET Studios at Lincoln Center in New York City.
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[@dad102]

Fascinating. Riveting.

[@jabbermocky4520]

The term "bomb tossing anarchist" carries an explosive connotation. Going back to Guy Fawkes. Infernal, indeed.

[@aminor7476]

I tend to push back on the author on identifying people. The US South had a systematic way of identifying slaves. It was so successful, the Nazis used this similar process to identify and track Jews.

[@JohnAranita]

I have Mr. Johnson on one of my proud PBS DVDs. HOW WE GOT TO NOW.

[@timmoretz523]

Thank goodness the founders didn't put right to bear bombs in our constitution

[@intheshell35ify]

This dude didn't become an expert by having chatgpt chewing his food for him.

[@timmoretz523]

They're be crazy people walking around with grenades in their belts

[@Rnankn]

This guy does not seem to grasp the reality of contemporary polarization. Our predicament emerges from the trilemma between energy, ecology and economy. Fundamentally we can have any two, but not all three. This goes much deeper than just opposing values; it reflects existential decisions about the material contours of the short, medium and long-term future. The range of political positions is between a life affirming ecological civilization, or a human ego-centred techno dystopia. This is a chasm on which compromise is not possible. In the first, we reduce consumption and energy-use, voluntarily simplify modern economic life, redistribute existing wealth, and value nature, community and health. In the second, we use AI to control the earth, dominate each other, and deplete all energy and materials in pursuit of growth until there is an unmanaged collapse and descent into survivalism. Only the wealthy and elite precariously persist in luxury perhaps for an additional century. Eventually they too will join the masses in permanent purgatory. No matter the path, after an imminent point-of-no-return, changing course will no longer be feasible. The stakes could not be more stark. While the forces for change are becoming epochal and desperate, entrenched interests are mounting a cataclysmic resistance. Institutionalized violence and civil disobedience are becoming the norm. Dynamite and finger prints were just a rehearsal.

[@michaelboguski4743]

Machines can't force humans to Exercise

[@ttacking_you]

I guess the new dialectic is religion v. technology