Jen Rubin's Green Room Politicon

John Dean discusses his study of authoritarian personalities and the lessons learned from Watergate. He explains that there are two approaches to understanding authoritarianism: studying the way authoritarian governments operate and studying the personality traits of those attracted to authoritarian leaders. Dean describes the traits of social dominators and right-wing authoritarian followers, as well as the enablers who support them. He emphasizes the importance of voting them out of power and the need for collaboration between the study of authoritarian governments and authoritarian personalities. Dean also discusses the challenges of changing the beliefs of authoritarian followers and the threat they pose to democracy.

Jen Rubin chats with author Brian Klass about his new book, "Fluke," diving into the role of randomness in shaping events and the need to embrace uncertainty. They discuss how seemingly minor events can have major impacts and caution against overconfidence in predictions, advocating for policy experimentation and emphasizes individual responsibility in shaping the future. They also explore the challenges of social science research, urging for a nuanced perspective and action over mere worry.

Takeaways:
The world is far more random, complex, and unpredictable than we often imagine.
Small, seemingly insignificant events can have significant consequences and shape the course of history.
Social science often oversimplifies the complexity of the world, leading to misleading predictions and models.
Policy experimentation and the use of randomness can lead to more effective solutions to social problems.
Individual actions and decisions, no matter how small, can have far-reaching effects and should be recognized as important. Individuals have a significant impact on shaping the future through their personal actions and involvement in social and political activities.
Taking action is more important than just worrying about the state of the world.
Social science research is subject to biases and uncertainties, and findings can vary depending on methodologies and interpretations.
A more nuanced understanding of the world and the recognition of individual power can lead to positive change.

Billy Ray discusses various movies he has worked on, including 'Breach' and 'Shattered Glass,' and delves into the complexities of understanding characters like Robert Hansen. He explores the themes of deception, confirmation bias, and the power of storytelling in politics.
Billy emphasizes the importance of understanding conservative voters' fear of chaos and the need for Democrats to rebrand themselves as agents of stability and freedom. He also discusses the abortion issue and suggests effective messaging strategies for Democrats.
Billy and Jen discuss the importance of Democrats appealing to the middle ground and avoiding extreme positions. They highlight the need for Democrats to call out the left and distance themselves from radical ideas that alienate voters. They also emphasize the power of framing the election as a choice between an American and an extremist, rather than a Democrat and a Republican. The conversation touches on topics such as LGBTQ+ rights, cult mentality, breaking the frame in political discussions, and the importance of addressing local issues. Overall, the conversation provides insights into effective messaging and strategy for Democrats.

Billy Ray is an American screenwriter and film director. He has written numerous films including Captain Phillips, Richard Jewell, Breach, The Comey Rule and The Hunger Games.

Get More From Jennifer Rubin:
Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Jen calls for a ceasefire in the Israel-Gaza war and welcomes labor leader Michael Podhorzer.  They discuss how the rural-cosmopolitan divide has framed our politics from the founding to the present day, the role white Christian nationalism has played in the rise of MAGA, the threat extremist groups pose to our freedoms, and how we can preserve our democracy.  Their analysis lays out the importance of mass movements, the need to revitalize unions, and how to counter corporate media by informing the public about the dangers we face if we want our system to endure.

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Michael Podhorzer:
Twitter | AFL-CIO | Weekend Reading | CAP 

Mentioned On The Show:
Tyranny of the Minority

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Get More From Jennifer Rubin:
Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Jen welcomes psychotherapist John Gartner to discuss the history of the psychiatric profession’s involvement in our elections and why the Goldwater Rule should not stand in the way of its duty to warn us about Trump’s decline into dementia.  They lay out how he presents symptoms of cognitive issues in line with DSM criteria by analyzing his patterns of speech, the repeated confusion of dates and names, and his uncontrolled movements.  As part of their analysis, they explain how the media has gaslit the country by normalizing his mental state while pathologizing Joe Biden’s age typical behavior.  Will a massive public information campaign be enough to educate the country about the dangers Donald poses if he wins in 2024?

Get More From This Week’s Guest:

John Gartner:
Duty2Warn Twitter | Change.org Petition | Bio | Author 

Mentioned On The Show:
From The Baltimore Sun:
John Gartner, Baltimore psychologist, takes his ‘duty to warn’ about Trump to film

#Untruth Film

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Get More From Jennifer Rubin:
Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”

Jen welcomes author and military historian Max Boot for a deep dive into the Ukraine-Russia war and to contrast the modern Republican Party with the presidency of Ronald Reagan.  They discuss the situation on the ground in Eastern Europe, what Ukraine is trying to preserve in light of Russia’s recent gains, the role of air power and ammunition production, and why support from the United States is essential as things become more desperate.  They also break down how the Republican Party has moved away from confronting authoritarianism to condoning it, and why their isolationism is creating a historical inflection point.  Do we have what it takes to support democracy at home and abroad?

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Max Boot:
Twitter | Threads | Website | WaPo | CFR | Author 

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Get More From Jennifer Rubin:
Twitter | Threads | WaPo | Author of “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy From Donald Trump”