Varn Vlog

Unveiling the Influence of Elites in Social Justice Movements with Fredrik deBoer


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Are we so entranced by the vision of an egalitarian society that we overlook who truly stands to benefit from social justice movements? Today, we're lifting the lid on the influence of elites in these movements with Fredrik deBoer, author of the intriguing book, "How Elites Ate the Social Justice Movement”. Together, we examine the glaring disparity in representation within the progressive left and the intriguing evolution of language and terminology in activism, tracing how academia and media have embraced this shift.

The ever-evolving social justice landscape navigates us through controversial waters of cancel culture, and its impact on academia and society at large. We grapple with its origins, the fear it incites, and its potential to foster insincerity and distortion in political discourse. Our conversation further delves into the disparity in college admissions, the rise of safetyism in American culture, and the debatable dominance of trauma talk, questioning the societal consequences these trends may bring. 

We conclude our discourse by illuminating the inequalities in the education system, the significance of vocational training, and the shift in political ideologies. Examining the cyclical absorption of revolutionary fervor into the comfort of American middle-class life, we challenge the notion of social justice as we know it. With Freddie's unique insights, we hope to spark a thought-provoking dialogue about the pursuit of social justice in our society. Join us on this intellectual journey and prepare to have your perspectives challenged.

Fredrik deBoer is the author of the "Cult of Smart" (All Points Book 2020) and "How Elites Ate the Social Justice Movement" (Simon & Schuster 2023). We discuss the limits of the social justice movement, its near hegemony in elite discourse, and the problems of cultural capital meeting an orientation for justice.

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Musis by Bitterlake, Used with Permission, all rights to Bitterlake

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Crew:
Host: C. Derick Varn
Intro and Outro Music by Bitter Lake.
Intro Video Design: Jason Myles
Art Design: Corn and C. Derick Varn

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Varn VlogBy C. Derick Varn

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