#331 — A Golden Age for Assholes | Making Sense with Sam Harris

Intro

In this episode of “Making Sense with Sam Harris,” Sam explores the rise of assholes in our society and the detrimental effects they have on our culture. He delves into the characteristics that define an asshole, the role of social media in amplifying their influence, and the importance of self-reflection to combat our own tendencies towards assholery.

Main Takeaways

The Nature of Assholes

• Being an asshole is not just a matter of style, but a matter of substance.
• Assholes care only about themselves and use any causes they attach to inflate their own egos.
• Assholes lack empathy and disregard the existence of a greater project or purpose.
• Shamelessness is admired in assholes as they live without shame by declaring it vestigial.
• The common moral failing of all true assholes is hypocrisy, but they are comfortable in their own skin.

The Rise of Assholes

• Social media has made the fringe everywhere, macerating all information and amplifying the influence of assholes.
• Andrew Tate and Donald Trump are prominent examples of assholes who prioritize the wrong things and mistake their vices for virtues.
• Assholes communicate a quasi-religious absolution of shame and celebration of cynicism, giving people permission to go on a moral holiday.

Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

• We are all assholes some of the time, but the task of living is to try to be less of an asshole.
• Examining our moral failures allows us to become less of an asshole more of the time.
• Self-awareness and introspection are crucial in combating our own tendencies towards assholery.

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Summary

The Nature of Assholes

Assholes are not merely defined by their abrasive style, but by their self-centeredness and lack of concern for anything beyond their own interests. They use any causes they attach to as a means to inflate their own egos, disregarding the existence of a greater project or purpose. Assholes revel in shamelessness, presenting themselves as living without shame and celebrating cynicism. Despite their moral failings, they achieve a certain comfort in their own skin.

The Rise of Assholes

Social media has played a significant role in the proliferation of assholes in our society. It has made the fringe accessible everywhere, amplifying their influence and allowing them to spread their toxic ideas. Andrew Tate and Donald Trump serve as prime examples of assholes who prioritize the wrong things and mistake their vices for virtues. Assholes communicate a quasi-religious absolution of shame and a celebration of cynicism, granting people permission to temporarily abandon their moral compass.

Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

Recognizing our own tendencies towards assholery is an essential step towards personal growth. We all have moments where we exhibit asshole behavior, but the goal is to strive to be less of an asshole. By examining our moral failures and engaging in self-reflection, we can become more aware of our actions and work towards being kinder, more empathetic individuals. It is through this process that we can achieve personal growth and contribute to a more compassionate society.

About “Making Sense with Sam Harris” Podcast

“Making Sense with Sam Harris” is a podcast that offers ad-free content and exclusive subscriber-only bonuses. Listeners can access additional episodes, Ask Me Anything (AMA) sessions, and engaging conversations on the Waking Up app. The podcast relies on the support of its listeners, making it a community-driven platform. By subscribing to the podcast on SamHarris.org, listeners can stay up-to-date with the latest episodes and content while supporting the continued production of high-quality, thought-provoking discussions.

Conclusion

In a society that seems to be experiencing a golden age for assholes, it is crucial to recognize the detrimental effects they have on our culture. By understanding the nature of assholes, examining our own tendencies, and engaging in self-reflection, we can strive to be less of an asshole and contribute to a more compassionate and empathetic society. Supporting podcasts like “Making Sense with Sam Harris” ensures the availability of valuable, ad-free content that promotes critical thinking and personal growth.