Quillette Cetera

In this conversation, Zoe Booth speaks with Will Shackel, an 18-year-old energy advocate and founder of Nuclear for Australia, a youth-led campaign pushing for the inclusion of nuclear power in the country’s energy mix. They discuss the rising cost of electricity and the structural challenges facing the national grid. Shackel makes the case for nuclear energy—particularly small modular reactors—as a reliable, low-emission solution. Together, they explore the history of Australia’s nuclear ban, the political divisions surrounding the issue, and the need for a science-based, bipartisan approach to energy policy.

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Quillette's Senior Editor, Jonathan Kay reflects on his time ghostwriting Justin Trudeau’s memoir and shares his take on Trudeau’s political trajectory—from golden boy to polariser-in-chief. We get into the highs of his early leadership, his pivot to hardcore social progressivism, the fallout from the truckers’ protest, and the growing anxiety around immigration. Kay also weighs in on the rise of Pierre Poilievre, the new conservative contender shaking up Canada’s political scene.

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Richard Hanania is an American political scientist and commentator, known for his right-wing perspectives and as president of the Center for the Study of Partisanship and Ideology. He faced controversy in 2023 when his past writings under a pseudonym advocating white nationalism resurfaced, which he has since disavowed. His book, The Origins of Woke, critiques identity politics and has sparked both praise and criticism.

In this conversation, Richard shares his journey from academia to becoming a public commentator, discussing his views on nervousness, political identity, and the complexities of group differences. He reflects on his libertarian beliefs, the challenges of academia, and the role of media in shaping public perception. The dialogue explores the nuances of political views and the importance of individual liberty, while also addressing the market dynamics of controversial topics. In this conversation, Richard discusses his experiences with media, his views on political engagement, and the current state of American politics. He expresses concerns about the Republican Party's direction and reflects on the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the need for a realistic approach to peace in the region. Richard also shares insights on the implications of Trump's policies and the future of Middle Eastern relations.

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On the 23rd of October, I sat down in Sydney, Australia, with the esteemed ethicist and theologian Nigel Biggar—Regius Professor Emeritus of Moral and Pastoral Theology at the University of Oxford—to discuss King Charles' visit to Australia, whether Australia should cut ties with the British monarchy and become a republic, what it means to be a patriot, far-left activism, cancel culture, and whether we should be ashamed of our colonial past.

I deeply enjoyed Nigel's 2023 book, Colonialism: A Moral Reckoning, which was reviewed in Quillette.

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Until recently, David Benatar was a Professor of Philosophy at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where he also directed the university’s Bioethics Centre. He is widely known for his controversial and challenging views on topics like antinatalism—captured in his groundbreaking book Better Never to Have Been: The Harm of Coming into Existence—which argues that bringing new life into the world inevitably leads to suffering.

In addition to his work on antinatalism, Benatar has written extensively on practical ethics, morality, and human suffering, and his most recent contributions to Quillette have focused on the conflict in Israel and rising antisemitism in the Anglosphere.

In this conversation, we reflect on the anniversary of 7 October and the ethical questions it raises. The conversation concludes with a discussion of his new book, Very Practical Ethics: Engaging Everyday Moral Questions (2024).

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In this conversation, Roger Berkowitz discusses the profound influence of Hannah Arendt on political thought, her practical philosophy, and the relevance of her ideas in contemporary society. He explores Arendt's views on truth, opinion, the role of intellectuals, and the dangers of bureaucracy. The discussion also delves into the complexities of Zionism, anti-Semitism, and the importance of friendship and disagreement in politics. Berkowitz emphasizes the need for critical thinking and engagement with Arendt's work to navigate today's political landscape.

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Justo Antonio Triana reflects on his experience growing up in Cuba under a dictatorship, highlighting the pervasive poverty, lack of freedom, and challenges faced by Cuban women. He debunks the myth of Cuba’s healthcare system and explores how tourism exacerbates the struggles of ordinary Cubans. Coming from a family of professors, he sheds light on the different social classes in Cuba and the difficulties they encountered in academia, compounded by political indoctrination and severely limited access to the internet and media.

Triana critiques the idealized vision of Cuba that never aligned with reality and speaks to the deeper history of the country, revealing the failed promises of the regime. His personal journey led him to the United States, where he discovered Quillette and FIRE, organizations dedicated to free speech—an issue close to his heart, particularly in observing challenges to open discourse on American campuses. A poet with a forthcoming novel about a Cuban escaping communism, he emphasizes the enduring need for free expression and hopes for a future in which the Cuban regime falls, allowing true freedom for his homeland.

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This conversation covers two main topics.

Firstly, liberalism and "new theism", an idea popularised by Tom Holland and Ayaan Hirsi Ali, who believe that the secular west is spiritually bankrupt.

The second half of the conversation involves a critique of political realism and in particular, John Mearsheimer's work on the Israel Lobby and the Russia-Ukraine war.

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Dr. Mike Israetel is a well-known figure in the fitness and bodybuilding community, recognized for his expertise in sports science, particularly in the areas of hypertrophy (muscle growth), strength training, and nutrition. He holds a PhD in Sport Physiology and has a background in competitive bodybuilding, powerlifting, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.

As someone with a keen interest in bodybuilding, I've been following Dr. Mike for a while and appreciate how he blends his expertise in sports science with witty humor and quips on "woke" ideology. Bodybuilders aren't often known for their intelligence, but Dr. Mike is an exception. His interest in philosophy, politics, and free-market economics led him to discover Quillette.

When I saw that he started following Quillette's Instagram page, I invited him on the podcast to talk, not about protein, squats, and bench-presses, but about the Enlightenment, religion, war, and anti-semitism.

For those of you who know Dr. Mike, I hope you enjoy seeing his more philosophical, political side. For those of you who don't know him, I hope this conversation inspires you to not only train your brain (by reading Quillette) but also train your body. As Dr. Mike says in this conversation, "I think challenging yourself in the gym can become something that teaches you a little bit more about the deeper wisdom in life," something that Ancient Greek philosophers such as Socrates would probably agree with.

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Dr. Warren Farrell discusses his latest book, 'From Rolemate to Soulmate,' which draws on his decades of counseling couples. He highlights the importance of effectively handling criticism in relationships and the consequences of not feeling heard. Dr. Farrell also explores the different forms of violence in relationships and challenges the notion that men are the sole perpetrators. He emphasizes the need for couples to create a conflict-free zone and learn to understand and appreciate each other's perspectives. Additionally, he discusses the importance of compatibility in relationships and the role of communication in bridging ideological differences. The conversation covers topics such as monogamy vs. non-monogamy, the challenges of polyamory and open relationships, the impact of children on relationships, the importance of communication, the struggles faced by men in modern society, and the concept of consent.

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