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

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