Thurber Dialogue w/ Anne Applebaum

Watch the second event in SPA's "Thurber Dialogues," a conversation with Anne Applebaum, a Pulitzer Prize-Winning Journalist, Historian, and author of The Twilight of Democracy and Gulag.
SPA's Thurber Dialogues celebrate the illustrious career of Distinguished University Professor James A. Thurber. These public conversations feature Professor Thurber in conversation with leading experts on democratic vitality to examine the grave dangers that threaten the American Experiment and to examine the precarious-yet-possible pathways to achieving a “more perfect union.”

[@makras1111]

Thank you very much! Excellent discussion!

[@dougmoore5252]

Anne Applebaum has research deeply in areas of history at a level where very few others have. She has real integrity.

[@garyraab9132]

Education is the key. From a historical governance and political perspective, the book and the discussion - superb. As a Canadian, I submitted my 30 pager to the Minister of Democratic Institutions on the reform of governance, rule of law, constitution… and electoral reform - reform from marking a simple X on a piece of paper to address complex multifaceted national issues. Complexity literally makes peoples’ ‘head hurt’, as a result even simple electoral reform faded into the Canadian ether! Education is the first priority. We do not see the real world under our feet - the biosphere. We are unaware of the shaky artificial human scaffolding we have scrambled up onto - governance, economics, politics and religion. And without 21st century education about both, the real world and artificial human constructs, history, the dark side of, will repeat, repeat, repeat… The first educational topic, starting with The Scientist in the Crib, is learning about what is underneath our hats. One cannot understand self’s or others’ erratic behaviour; one cannot discern ‘voting’ from ‘storming the house’, if we have neglected mindfulness and neuroendocrinological education. “There is no scientific study more vital to man than the study of his own brain. Our entire view of the universe depends on it.” ― Francis Crick Can't We All Disagree More Constructively? ∣ From The Righteous Mind By Jonathan Haidt Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst By Robert Sapolsky Us and Them: Understanding Your Tribal Mind By David Berreby Education is the key…when provided in a safe environment…and the educators are versed in How People Learn, 2nd Ed

[@dougmoore5252]

I am just not accustomed to encountering integrity in elites.

[@dougmoore5252]

I do hope and assume that both allow for different opinions with the non elite circles of folks in “Cowboy” sections of our democratic republic. It is hard to see evidence of open minds however. There are real divisions of thought in America.

[@dougmoore5252]

I think that the other advantage of democracy is it is still to possibly to live a private life.

[@geoffreynhill2833]

It would help if American voters could perceive some difference between the two parties, both in the pockets of plutocrats, themselves on very low wages (if any at all). 🤠🏴‍☠😎 PS: Is AA married to a scion of the Russian inventor of the helicopter or of the distinguished Polish statesman, soldier and freedom-fighter?

[@geoffreynhill2833]

AA reminds me of Claire Bloom - esp. in "The Spy Who Came In From The Cold"! 😉

[@nikodc2008]

How can you say Jan 6 wasn’t core to the Republican Party when president trump endorsed it? This sounds like wishful thinking that it is not core to the party.

[@rachelblack314]

If the laptop belonged to Trump's son instead of Biden's son, I bet she'd care