Breakpoint Iran and the Just War Theory, The Decline of LGB+ and Dating, and the Supreme Court Stops California's School Transgender Policy
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Mar 6, 2026 A wide-ranging conversation about applying just war theory to modern conflicts and the moral limits of wartime judgment. A look at new research on sharp declines in LGB+ identification and the collapse of dating among young adults. A legal clash over California rules on schools keeping gender identity from parents and the broader debate on parental rights and state control.
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Smartphones Drove The Rise And Fall Of LGB+ Identities
- A sharp decline in young people identifying as LGB+ correlates with the rise and fall of smartphone-driven social contagion.
- John cites Jean Twenge’s research linking social media and smartphone use to spikes and subsequent declines in identity identification.
Identity Labels Function As Narrative Bandages
- Identity labels often fill a narrative gap for youth experiencing malaise or lack of meaning.
- Maria Baer references 'complex PTSD' critiques and says people adopt meta-narratives (like gender identities) when culture leaves them without purpose.
Local Controversy Sparked A Spike In Teen Coming Out
- John recalled a county resolution 20 years ago that unintentionally led many local teens to 'come out' after media attention.
- The high school guidance counselor reported three-to-five times more students identifying as gay following the controversy.