Show Notes
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.
