Ep. #503: Terry McAuliffe, Richard Engel

In 'The Death of Expertise,' Tom Nichols examines the forces driving the rejection of expertise in modern American society. He argues that the internet, changes in higher education, and the transformation of the news industry into a 24-hour entertainment machine have contributed to a culture where every opinion is seen as equally valid. Nichols warns that this trend threatens democratic institutions by creating an ill-informed and angry public that denounces intellectual achievement. He emphasizes the importance of a reasoned skepticism and the self-correcting presence of other experts to maintain the integrity of expertise in a functioning democracy.

In 'Beyond Charlottesville: Taking a Stand Against White Nationalism', Terry McAuliffe recounts the events leading up to the tragic Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville in 2017. The book explores the forces behind such incidents and offers insights into how society can come together to prevent similar tragedies. McAuliffe discusses his experiences as Governor during that time and shares lessons from history on national unity.