DeepSummary
Matthew Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell discuss Matthew's recent essay about depression, which reviewed the book 'How to Be Depressed' by George Shalaba. They explore the relationship between depression and left-wing politics, emphasizing the importance of mutual care and recognizing human vulnerability.
They analyze how depression robs one of the ability to narrate their life story or imagine a future, illustrating the need to build a society that accommodates human frailty rather than valorizing individualism and self-reliance. Sitman shares personal experiences with depression and how friends supported him during that time.
They contrast Shalaba's chronic depiction of depression with typical memoir narratives of overcoming illness. They also discuss right-wing resistance to social welfare programs that could provide care, arguing the left should ensure lives 'bend but don't break' during hardship.
Key Episodes Takeaways
- Depression challenges narratives of individual self-reliance by robbing one of the ability to construct a coherent life story.
- A left politics should be grounded in recognizing human vulnerability and providing mutual care, rather than valorizing individualism.
- The right resists the role of the state in providing care despite valorizing personal/community compassion, a contradiction the left should address.
- Admitting one's struggles with depression/mental health is an important first step, and having supportive community is vital.
- Depictions of depression often present it as a temporary condition overcome, contrasting Shalaba's chronic depiction.
- Sitman argues for building a society where lives can 'bend but not break' under hardship, accommodating human frailty.
- Encountering suffering can breed callousness or empathy; the left should cultivate the latter impulse.
- Experiences with depression illuminated for Sitman the capriciousness that can upend anyone's life, requiring social supports.
Top Episodes Quotes
- “Such a politics can be based in human frailty. The understanding that we're less free than we want to admit, and that the illusions of, quote unquote meritocracy mostly just flatter those who have been more fortunate or had the resources to evade consequences for their misdeeds and mistakes.“ by Matthew Sitman
- “But there is a sense in which simply admitting I was having trouble with it and actually taking a step toward addressing it was as important as, I think, what the medication itself did for me, and that's a huge step.“ by Matthew Sitman
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Episode Information
Know Your Enemy
Matthew Sitman
10/12/20