#20 — Still Sleepwalking Toward Armageddon

enNovember 15, 2015

Podcast Summary

Lack of progress in addressing root causes of terrorism: Despite frequent terrorist attacks, responses remain fear-based and lack clear-eyed understanding of extremist motivations, hindering progress towards effective solutions.
Despite the increasing frequency and severity of terrorist attacks, particularly those linked to ISIS, the response from many individuals and societies remains the same. Sam Harris, host of the Making Sense podcast, expressed this sentiment during the aftermath of the Paris attacks in 2015. He noted that he had written and spoken about the situation many times before, and that little had changed. In his essay "Sleepwalking Toward Armageddon," written after the murder of journalist James Foley in 2014, Harris discussed the need for a clear-eyed understanding of the motivations and goals of extremist groups like ISIS. He urged for a response grounded in reason and compassion, rather than fear and hatred. Harris plans to read this essay on his podcast and offer some thoughts on recent events. The lack of progress in addressing the root causes of terrorism and the resulting attacks is a depressing reality, and it is essential that individuals and societies continue to engage in thoughtful and productive conversations about how to move forward.
The war of ideas against Jihadism and Islamism is a generational struggle: Acknowledge the existence of the war of ideas within ourselves and address it to prevent costly and dangerous consequences.
The fight against Jihadism and Islamism is a generational struggle that requires acknowledging the existence of a war of ideas and addressing it within ourselves first. The recurring shrieks of "Allahu Akbar" serve as a constant reminder of this issue, which we will have to live with for the rest of our lives. Denying this problem and the unique challenges Islam faces at this moment in history only makes it more costly and dangerous not to address it. We can no longer be surprised by the atrocities committed by these extremists, and it is essential that we wage and win the war of ideas both internally and externally. The recent events in Paris serve as a reminder of this, and it is crucial that we take action before it's too late.
Understanding the nature of the threat we face: Recognize the reality of enemies' intentions to destroy our values, educate ourselves about their ideologies, and effectively counter their actions to protect universal values
The threat from our enemies, such as ISIS, is real and should not be underestimated. They have made it clear through their actions and words that they aspire to destroy the values we hold dear, including art, science, and reason. Their actions are barbaric and savage, and it is crucial that we acknowledge this reality instead of deluding ourselves into thinking that they are like us or that we are to blame for their actions. We must understand that they have a fundamentally different vision for the world, one that is incompatible with our own. It is important to recognize that not all people share the same goals and values, and that some people are wrong in how they want to live and build their world. To deny this reality is to put ourselves and our values at risk. To truly understand the nature of the threat we face, it is necessary to educate ourselves about the ideologies and motivations of our enemies. Only then can we effectively counter their actions and protect the universal project that unites us all.
Urgent need for self-reflection and understanding of the global situation: As terrorism continues, moral convictions may weaken, leading some to support extreme measures. It's crucial to have open conversations about the current situation and consider who we'd vote for in a crisis.
Urgent need for self-reflection and understanding of the current global situation. Sam Harris expresses his concern that as more acts of terrorism continue to occur, people's moral convictions may weaken, leading some to support extreme measures. He fears that in the absence of a strong liberal response, the only groups left opposing Islamist behavior may be those with similarly extreme views. Harris encourages listeners to consider who they would vote for in hypothetical elections in the face of repeated terror attacks. He emphasizes that the current situation in Europe and potentially the US is a mass psychological experiment, and it's essential to have open and honest conversations about it. The Making Sense podcast, which is ad-free and relies on listener support, provides a platform for such discussions.

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