How My View Grew

William Deresiewicz: What News Sources Can I Trust?


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In this episode of How My View Grew, essayist Bill Deresiewicz describes the moment he stopped trusting his go-to news sources and started listening to "heterodox" perspectives. This is a story about American journalism and culture. It's also a story about the humility and courage it takes to let go of deeply held ideas and create space for something new.

**About the guest**

Bill Deresiewicz is an award-winning essayist and critic and frequent speaker at colleges and high schools. He is the author of five books, including the New York Times's best-seller Excellent Sheep: The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life. His latest book is The End of Solitude: Selected Essays on Culture and Society.

**Key takeaways**

  • 5:20 "Hate listening" to NPR and discovering the heterodox world
  • 9:00 When an ideology from academia entered the mainstream
  • 15:00 Realizing his attitude about art and money is BS
  • 22:00 Growing up in a world of liberal Democrats and Orthodox Judaism—and making breaks from this world
  • 27:00 Discovering the misery and despair of many students at elite colleges
  • 31:00 Learning from Pride and Prejudice that feelings can be wrong
  • 35:00 Bill's message to Antifa and other young people revolting against the system
  • 39:00 Learning that he knew much less than he thought he did
  • 41:00 Amiel's reflections on the conversation

**Resources**

  • Bill's web site
  • "Escaping American Tribalism" in UnHerd
  • "Why I Left Academia (Since You're Wondering)" in Quillette
  • A Jane Austin Education: How Six Novels Taught Me About Love, Friendship and the Things That Really Matter.
  • The Death of the Artist

**Share the love**

Leave me a rating or review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

**Subscribe to the podcast**

To hear the origin stories of more big ideas, subscribe to How My View Grew on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you listen to podcasts.

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How My View GrewBy Amiel Handelsman

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