Ep. #620: Matthew Perry, Laura Coates, Jonathan Haidt

In this memoir, Matthew Perry candidly shares his life story, from his fractured childhood and early ambitions to his rise to fame as Chandler Bing in the hit TV series 'Friends'. The book delves into his decades-long battle with alcoholism and addiction, including the physical and emotional toll it took on his life. Perry also discusses his relationships, the peace he has found in sobriety, and his reflections on the ubiquity of 'Friends'. The memoir is known for its honesty, humor, and intimate portrayal of Perry's struggles and triumphs.

The book explores how the ideas 'what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker,' 'always trust your feelings,' and 'life is a battle between good people and evil people' have become embedded in American culture. These 'Great Untruths' contradict basic psychological principles and ancient wisdom, leading to a culture of safetyism that interferes with young people’s social, emotional, and intellectual development. The authors investigate various social trends, including fearful parenting, the decline of unsupervised play, and the impact of social media, as well as changes on college campuses and the broader context of political polarization in America.