Uncertain Things: "Joy as an Act of Resistance is the Dumbest Slogan of the Woke Era"
The Gist Podcast Recap
Published:
Duration: 41 min
Summary
Mike Pesca critiques the slogan 'Joy as an act of resistance' and explores themes of nihilism and skepticism in current political discourse. The episode also covers historical anecdotes about ghost sightings and the role of exorcists in ancient Mesopotamia.
What Happened
Mike Pesca, the host of 'The Gist', starts by sharing a story about Ernest Shackleton's ghost sighting during an expedition, which scientists later explained as a projection of human forms in extreme conditions. This leads to a discussion about how ancient Mesopotamians employed exorcists to deal with ghosts, a practice that has parallels with modern-day contractors.
The episode examines the origins of the word 'abracadabra', which is linked to ancient demon names in Mesopotamia. A specific demon called 'Any Demon' became infamous due to a clause in exorcism contracts. Historical Jewish liturgy tried to eliminate professions like exorcism, although clandestine beliefs in angels and demons persisted.
Mike Pesca then moves on to discuss the rise of nihilism and 'annihilism' in political discourse. 'Annihilism' is described as a desire to destroy the current system out of frustration. The 'manosphere' is noted for its nihilistic views, which often involve conspiracy theories about being controlled by a sinister cabal.
The episode critiques the slogan 'Joy as an act of resistance', calling it the dumbest slogan of the woke era. This discussion highlights how people are feeling physically weighed down by negative discourse and the emotional surge they are experiencing is tied to a lack of psychological tools to cope with it.
Mike Pesca touches upon the democratization of truth through technology, which he sees as a pathway to nihilism. Artists are often drawn to chaos and radical statements, sometimes perpetuating nihilistic ideas. The skepticism about converging on shared truths in the age of information is also addressed.
Israel is mentioned as one of the happiest countries in the world, possibly due to the real stakes they face. This observation is part of a broader conversation on how misery has been a constant in human history and civilization's role in teaching people not to externalize their pain onto others.
The book 'The Rise and Revolt of the College Educated Working Class' by Noam Scheiber is referenced to discuss labor unions and the dissatisfaction of college-educated workers. Recent college graduates are reportedly in a worse economic position than before, feeling betrayed by the promise of higher education.
Greta Thunberg is briefly mentioned, described by Mike Pesca as a young person with mental health struggles rather than a climate activist with profound insights. This portrayal is part of a larger conversation about the influence of public figures and the symbols they adopt without understanding their historical contexts.
Key Insights
- The word 'abracadabra' is believed to have originated from ancient demon names in Mesopotamia, serving as a protective charm against illnesses and negative spirits.
- 'Annihilism' in political discourse represents a radical frustration with current systems, leading some to desire their complete destruction rather than reform.
- The Red Hand symbol, used in support of Palestinians, has origins linked to the historical lynching and dismembering of Jews, raising concerns about its use by influential figures without context.
- Recent college graduates face economic challenges, feeling let down by the promise of higher education, as discussed in Noam Scheiber's book on the college-educated working class.