#706 – Douglas Murray – We Need To Stop Listening To These People | Modern Wisdom

Intro

In this episode of the “Modern Wisdom” podcast, host Chris Williamson interviews Douglas Murray, author of “The Strange Death of Europe,” as they discuss a range of topics including the body positivity movement, the limitations of predictive abilities, the impact of advertising, the demographic crisis, the erosion of truth, the rise of conspiratorial thinking, and the importance of courage and resilience in confronting dangerous situations.

Main Takeaways

Body Positivity and Advertising

• Douglas Murray discusses how Victoria’s Secret betrayed the body positivity movement.
• Advertising executives use sexy models to sell merchandise easily.
• Shareholders prioritize profit over progressive movements.
• Body positivity movement can go too far.
• Performative empathy prioritizes short-term gain over long-term outcomes.

The Demographic Crisis and Generational Competition

• Murray’s book, “The Strange Death of Europe,” predicted the transformation of Western countries due to demographic change.
• The “child tax” is a large cost associated with having children, which can deter people from starting families.
• Governments could solve the demographic crisis by building more affordable housing to help young people start families.
• Generational competition theory explains why millennials are the first generation to do worse than their parents.

The Erosion of Truth and Conspiratorial Thinking

• People are struggling to agree on what’s true anymore.
• The rise of conspiratorial thinking is a huge issue.
• Social media has changed the way we communicate and absorb information, and we are still unsure of the consequences.
• The concept of truth as a desirable thing in society has eroded from both the right and the left.
• Believing in conspiracy theories can lead to a loss of personal agency and an external locus of control.

The Importance of Courage and Resilience

• Surrounding yourself with courageous people can rub off on you and help you avoid cowardice.
• Confronting dangerous situations can lead to a more civil society.
• Choosing to face danger is different from being thrust into it.
• It’s worth considering the consequences of handing over your wallet in a dangerous situation.
• Bravery and standing up for what you believe in is something to be respected, even if you don’t agree with their principles.

Summary

Body Positivity and Advertising

Douglas Murray discusses the controversy surrounding Victoria’s Secret’s betrayal of the body positivity movement. He highlights how advertising executives use sexy models to sell merchandise easily, prioritizing profit over progressive movements. Murray also explores how performative empathy can prioritize short-term gain over long-term outcomes, and how the body positivity movement can sometimes go too far.

The Demographic Crisis and Generational Competition

Murray’s book, “The Strange Death of Europe,” predicted the transformation of Western countries due to demographic change, which is sadly coming to fruition. He discusses the “child tax,” a significant cost associated with having children that can deter people from starting families. Murray suggests that governments could solve the demographic crisis by building more affordable housing to help young people start families. He also explains generational competition theory, which helps explain why millennials are the first generation to do worse than their parents.

The Erosion of Truth and Conspiratorial Thinking

Murray highlights the struggle to agree on what’s true in today’s society, fueled by social media and the ability to create individual versions of recent events. He explores the rise of conspiratorial thinking and the erosion of truth as a desirable thing in society, which has been influenced by both the right and the left. Murray discusses the consequences of believing in conspiracy theories, including a loss of personal agency and an external locus of control.

The Importance of Courage and Resilience

Murray emphasizes the importance of surrounding yourself with courageous people who can inspire you to avoid cowardice. He discusses how confronting dangerous situations can lead to a more civil society and the distinction between choosing to face danger and being thrust into it. Murray encourages considering the consequences of handing over your wallet in a dangerous situation and highlights the respect that should be given to individuals who stand up for their beliefs, even if their principles are not shared.

Conclusion

In this thought-provoking episode, Douglas Murray and Chris Williamson delve into various societal issues, including the body positivity movement, the demographic crisis, the erosion of truth, and the importance of courage and resilience. They provide insights into the challenges we face in today’s world and offer perspectives on how we can navigate these issues to create a more balanced and informed society.