Summertime Blues: 2020 in Hindsight

21/08/2025 1h 1min
Summertime Blues: 2020 in Hindsight

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Episode Synopsis

Chris is joined by his AEI colleague Thomas Chatterton Williams, whose latest book Summer of Our Discontent: The Age of Certainty and the Demise of Discourse was published earlier this month. The two discuss Thomas’s analysis of the events and ideas that led to the protests, riots, and all-around madness of the summer of 2020; cancel culture and the importance of free expression; the concept of race and its relation to cultural heritage; and more. Show notes:Thomas’s new book, Summer of Our DiscontentThe Harper’s LetterThomas’s previous book, Self-Portrait in Black and WhiteChris’s book, 13 Novels Conservatives Will Love (but Probably Haven’t Read) Time stamps:2:36     Reflecting on the summer of 20206:13     The promises and shortcomings of the Obama era14:32   The “Great Awokening” and the rise of Trump21:07   Cancel culture and the cult of anti-racism36:35   The Harper’s Letter and the fight for free expression42:47   Post-racialism and cultural heritage50:22   From January 6 to October 756:09   Charting a path forward This episode is brought to you by the Rockford Agency. Our trained investigators have specialized in CLOSED CASES since 1968. $200/day + expenses. Call (311) 555-2368 and leave a message. Opening and closing music: Brendan Benson, “Spit It Out,” used with permission from the artist. Produced by Sean Doolan.