DeepSummary
In this episode of the Dead Pundits Society podcast, Adam and Ben Burgis discuss Ben's new book 'Canceling Comedians While the World Burns'. Ben explains that he wrote the book out of frustration with the state of the left and the infighting and cancellations happening within progressive circles, even as more pressing global issues like climate change and inequality went unaddressed.
They talk about how the situation has only worsened since Ben started writing the book in 2019, with the left's hopes of a Bernie Sanders presidency being dashed and the COVID-19 pandemic exacerbating online discourse and divisions. Ben suggests the 'Great Awokening' of recent years has been a distraction from more substantive leftist goals.
Adam and Ben also touch on the fact that Ben's book received an unexpected positive review from the controversial psychologist Jordan Peterson, despite Ben being critical of Peterson in the book itself. This prompts a humorous discussion about whether Peterson actually read the full book.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Ben Burgis wrote his new book 'Canceling Comedians While the World Burns' out of frustration with left-wing infighting and cancellation instead of focusing on major systemic issues.
- The situation Burgis critiques has worsened since 2019 due to Sanders' failed presidential bid and the pandemic exacerbating online discourse.
- Burgis suggests trends like the 'Great Awokening' have distracted the left from more substantive goals related to issues like climate change and inequality.
- Jordan Peterson unexpectedly gave a positive review of Burgis' book, despite Burgis being critical of Peterson within the book itself.
- The podcast discusses the humor and irony of Peterson's positive review, speculating if he fully read the book's critiques of him.
- The episode touches on broader challenges and disagreements within the American left regarding priorities, tactics and online behavior.
- Burgis frames his book as a call for the left to re-focus its efforts on major socioeconomic and environmental issues rather than petty infighting.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Because I was really, really, really pissed off and frustrated by a bunch of shit that was going on at that point.“ by Ben Burgis
- “See, for example, force the vote. And also there's, there's what, you know, like DP's patron saint, you know, Adolf Reed, calls the great awokening that happens last.“ by Ben Burgis
- “Turns out he's a. He's been a tmbs patron all along. That's plot twist.“ by Adam
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Episode Information
Dead Pundits Society
Dead Pundits Society
6/3/21