Podcast Summary
The Importance of Truth and Accuracy in Journalism and Public Discourse: Masha Gessen emphasizes the importance of truth and accuracy in addressing complex issues, particularly in the context of controversial topics like Russia, the Me Too movement, and immigration. Dishonesty or inaccuracy could lead to counterproductive outcomes and the reelection of controversial figures.
Key takeaway from this conversation with Masha Gessen on the Making Sense podcast is the importance of truth and accuracy in addressing complex issues, particularly in the context of controversial topics such as Russia, the Me Too movement, and immigration. Masha, a renowned journalist and author, shares her perspectives on these topics, highlighting the potential consequences of exaggeration or misconstruing these issues. Born in the Soviet Union, Masha came to the US when she was 14 and started her journalistic career in the gay press, focusing on AIDS. Her career took a turn when she went back to the Soviet Union on assignment, leading her to move back and live there for over 20 years. Throughout her journalistic journey, she has covered a range of topics, from Russia and Putin to the Me Too movement and immigration. Masha's insights offer valuable perspectives on the current political climate, emphasizing the need for honesty and accuracy in addressing these complex issues. The potential for counterproductive outcomes when dealing with these topics dishonestly or inaccurately is a concern, as it could contribute to the reelection of controversial figures like Donald Trump. Overall, this conversation with Masha underscores the importance of truth and accuracy in journalism and public discourse, particularly in the face of complex and controversial issues.
Protests against rigged elections in Russia: During political crackdown, a queer parent and protest organizer was forced to leave Russia due to threats, sparking widespread public reaction and exposing empty electoral rituals.
During the political crackdown in Russia following Putin's reascension to power in 2012, the speaker, who was an active organizer of protests against rigged elections, was forced to leave the country due to threats against him and his family, particularly regarding his status as a queer parent. The protests were largely framed as a response to the blatant transfer of power from Dmitry Medvedev to Vladimir Putin, which was seen as an insulting farce given the lack of authentic elections in Russia at the time. The speaker's Jewish identity played no role in his expulsion. The exposure of the empty electoral ritual led to widespread public reaction, making it impossible for authorities to ignore the situation, much like how a naked bottle of alcohol cannot be ignored when it is out in the open.
Putin's control over public opinion in Russia: Despite Putin's authoritarianism, there's a perception of him restoring Russia's pride, leading to anti-US, anti-Europe sentiment. However, the authenticity of public opinion is questionable due to Putin's control over information and public sphere.
The public opinion towards Putin and the US-Europe relationship in Russia is a complex issue, with Putin having significant control over the information and public sphere, making it challenging to gauge authentic opinions. Putin's regime is characterized by authoritarianism, with him jailing and killing opponents and waging illegal wars. Despite this, there is a perception of Putin bringing back Russia's pride, leading to anti-US and anti-European sentiment. However, the existence of a genuine public opinion in Russia is questionable due to Putin's near-complete destruction of the public sphere. This makes it difficult to assess the extent of support for Putin and his policies towards the US and Europe.
Russia's Control Over Citizens' Thoughts and Feelings: Russia's belief in being under attack from the US leads to potential support for escalating aggression, as public opinion is non-existent and media shapes views, making nuclear war a serious concern.
Russia, despite not having a totalitarian regime, exhibits a high level of totalitarian control over its citizens' thoughts and feelings. This dominance is exemplified by the prevalent view that Russia is under attack from the United States, and that this perceived war is being waged through proxy conflicts in Ukraine and Syria. This belief, enshrined in Russia's military doctrine, paints a concerning picture of potential support for escalating aggression. Moreover, public opinion in Russia is essentially non-existent, as people have been robbed of the ability to form their own opinions. The Russian media, therefore, becomes the primary source of information and shaping of views. The prospect of nuclear war between Russia and the United States is not just a political campaigning topic, but a serious concern, as it is recognized in Russia's military doctrine. This situation raises significant concerns about the potential for dangerous levels of support for aggressive actions.
Under Putin, Russian public opinion is manipulated. Trump's approach to Russia might ease tensions.: Despite human rights concerns, Trump's approach to Russia could offer a silver lining. However, Putin's need to maintain conflict with US makes significant change unlikely.
In a totalitarian society like Russia under Putin, public opinion is manipulated to mirror the government's narrative, making it meaningless to gauge people's genuine views. Trump's approach to Russia, despite human rights concerns, might offer a potential silver lining by easing tensions between the two superpowers. However, Putin's need to maintain the conflict with the US as a mobilizing idea makes it unlikely that US actions will significantly influence his politics. Instead, a values-based foreign policy that acknowledges the limited impact of American actions on Putin's politics could be a more effective approach.
Trump's admiration for authoritarian leaders: Trump's affinity for dictators is not new, unlikely to change, and not impeachable, but engaging with them is unproductive and unethical
The relationship between Trump and Putin is not a mystery to be solved, but rather a reflection of Trump's admiration for authoritarian leaders. Trump's affinity for dictators is not a new revelation, and it's not clear that an investigation would uncover anything impeachable. Instead, it's important to focus on what actions are wrong in this situation. Engaging with dictators who suppress opposition and wage illegal wars is not productive or ethical. The Mueller investigation may shed light on potential financial ties, but it's unlikely to change the fact that Trump values the approval of strongmen leaders. This dynamic is not unique to Russia and North Korea, but rather a pattern in Trump's behavior towards leaders around the world. Understanding this dynamic can help inform policy decisions moving forward.
Political climate under Trump raises concerns about democratic institutions: Leader with authoritarian tendencies challenges collaborative democratic processes, requiring thoughtful and measured responses to imperfect solutions, rather than hasty and divisive actions.
The current political climate under President Trump raises concerns about the strength and resilience of American democratic institutions. The interview highlights the potential dangers of a leader with authoritarian tendencies and the challenges of collaborative and deliberative democratic processes when faced with a "dumb blonde force" that disregards the rules. The travel ban, as an example, illustrates the tension between imperfect solutions and a push for immediate action. The interview also touches upon the potential threats of extremist ideologies, but emphasizes the importance of thoughtful and measured responses rather than hasty and divisive actions.
The Fear of Immigration and the Rise of Far-Right Movements: The fear of immigration fuels political rhetoric and far-right movements, often based on perceived threats and failures of assimilation. It's crucial to distinguish between reasonable concerns and hate speech, and ensure the safety and security of all communities.
The fear of immigration, particularly regarding refugees and Muslims, fuels political rhetoric and the rise of far-right movements in both the US and Europe. This fear is not always based on reality, but on perceived threats and failures of assimilation. The lack of acceptance of certain values, such as tolerance of homosexuality, highlights the issue. However, it's essential to distinguish between the far-right populace and reasonable people who are concerned about the integration of diverse communities into a civil society. The speaker, as a homosexual Jew, emphasizes the importance of ensuring the safety and security of all communities, not just sacrificing one for another. The problem is not just about immigration, but also about the clash of ideas and worldviews that needs to be addressed. The speaker also acknowledges the legitimacy of asylum for persecuted Christians but expresses more concern about the growing power of the Christian right in the US.
Understanding the Complexity of Religious Differences in Asylum Claims: Despite shared religious beliefs, asylum claims can vary greatly based on the level of theocratic hostility towards certain groups. Christians and Muslims have distinct differences in this regard, and acknowledging these nuances is crucial for effective refugee policies.
That both groups, regardless of their religious beliefs, can have valid asylum claims. However, it's important to acknowledge that there can be significant differences in the level of theocratic hostility towards certain groups, such as those identifying as LGBTQ+. The speaker emphasized that there is a difference in this regard between various Christian groups and fundamentalist Muslim groups. Yet, some may deny this distinction. This conversation highlights the complexity of the refugee crisis and the need for nuanced understanding and acknowledgement of these differences. The speaker also mentioned that this conversation is available in full length only to subscribers of the Making Sense podcast, which relies on listener support to remain ad-free.