Ross Douthat: The Exit Interview
Summary
Ezra Klein interviews Ross Douthat as he transitions from The New York Times to 60 Minutes. They discuss the evolution of media from the conversational early blogosphere to today’s polarized landscape. Douthat reflects on his career as a conservative voice in liberal institutions and analyzes the shift from religious conservatism to a post-Christian, populist right.
Topics discussed
Introduction and Ross Douthat's move to 60 Minutes
Douthat's early career at The Atlantic and blogging origins
The rise of political blogging post-9/11 and the blogosphere
2008 McCain-Obama campaign and the shift in political discourse
Writing for liberal audiences and engaging in good faith debate
The Grand New Party, Trump's rise, and populist conservatism
The decline of evangelicalism and the rise of the post-Christian right
National greatness conservatism vs. Trumpism and character
Catholicism's elite appeal and the left's search for spiritual meaning
Liberal values, human dignity, and the state of media trust
Interviewing at 60 Minutes and the shift to video and orality
UFOs, AI, skepticism, and final book recommendations
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