Anand joins journalist Terry Moran to talk about the Texas floods, connecting the abstractions of politics to personal tragedy, and how to talk about climate change
Coincidental to this interview is the big family reunion held last month which my wife couldn't go to for health reason. Many of the 200 people there, many of whom counted themselves Robertsons as my wife does, traced themselves back to my wife's great-grandfather, father of 14 and a slave for 25 years up to Juneteenth, 1865. My wife and I are great-grandparents and are saddened to see the same hard attitudes her great-grandfather faced.
Great insights, observations and dot connecting. I don’t think the reason that mainstream news doesn’t provide viewers with analyses of factors that contribute to things like frequent massive floods, regular mass shootings, surging homelessness, and ubiquitous chronic illness is a lack of story telling skills. It’s much more likely due to corporate sponsorship of US news empires, and high profile and highly paid journalists who benefit from the status quo. Love that a former member of the latter group pointed out the lack of solidarity among today’s elites with the people who helped create their fortunes. Just wish every time a liberal used the term ‘safety net’ they would also state that the need for it is because the owning class won’t pay workers living wages. They create poverty, structurally and systematically, then blame the poor for draining the public coffers. Are the 70 million Americans on Medicaid all victims of a bad decision, addicted to drugs, or living with a disability? Nope. Many work at Walmart and for other companies that won’t pay family supporting wages, offer fulltime employment, or provide health benefits. So working people who pay the bulk of federal taxes are subsidizing these corporations. It’s the real redistribution of wealth. The real abuse of Medicaid. Love Anand’s take, his kind and respectful approach to his guests, and his curiosity. He’s a national treasure.
What an amazing conversation with you two! It is people like the two of you that give me hope for the future. I am 86 and am fortunate enough to have 4 little great granddaughters ages 5, 2 3 year old and the baby is 6 months old. I worry for their future and what the world will be like in a few years. It is fun to watch their personalities developing and wondering what life will be like for them when they are my age.
If I can be so presumptuous, if you didn't experience the movie JAWS 50 years ago, or even if you did, watch it again when it's re-released this summer. It is an incredible microcosm of so much of what happens in the country at large. Some of the scenes and lines from that film are just incredible in that regard, like, "I think you're going to ignore this problem until it swims up and bites you in the ass!!"
I shared your article about the Texas floods with several friends. My friend who writes a climate newsletter said it was the most moving piece he’d read about the tragedy. But interestingly, it was my friend who grew up in Texas whose wife’s family knew some of the lost children who wrote -“I read Anand's piece that you sent. Unfortunately, I've known those people like Hunt and he wouldn't care.”
I think seeing how republicans are acting now, we have to somehow, while keeping a positive vision for the future, protect ourselves, and understand that there are people who choose to cause harm despite knowing that their own family members might be the ones most negatively effected.
Once again, thank you for reminding us that we can do more than be sad. Being part of a solution is uplifting because it is empowering. Regarding how to explain the complex - I was thinking the parable as a work to deliver thought provoking stories about cause and effect in an easy to grasp neutral way, but Terry is right, modern media platforms and techniques are effective and catchy. He did pick a great time to get fired. We are lucky to have you both as gifted independents.
You both kept talking about having the wealthy think of their future generations because those generations may not have wealth. But you miss a critical point: in the crucible of climate change, even wealth won’t save you — look at Janie Hunt.
While I appreciate you connecting the dots and painting the larger picture, ultimately—sadly—I think these folks just don’t care one whit about saving a life. It simply does not move them — it is not a motivating force — at all. They will all be going on to a better place, no?
My superpowers are planning and organizing. Which as you can imagine made me the most boring person on earth, who would seriously ask, "What do you think system XYZ will function like if we don't make changes now?" I was told until I couldn't hear any more that people do not care about what might be, they only care about what is happening now or very soon in a future they can conceive. That is the interval in which the gift of the storyteller is paramount. Climate change must somehow, please the gods, be rendered into a tale. Thank you Anand.
What a thoughtful and heartfelt discussion. I hope you make this a regular thing. 😊
Coincidental to this interview is the big family reunion held last month which my wife couldn't go to for health reason. Many of the 200 people there, many of whom counted themselves Robertsons as my wife does, traced themselves back to my wife's great-grandfather, father of 14 and a slave for 25 years up to Juneteenth, 1865. My wife and I are great-grandparents and are saddened to see the same hard attitudes her great-grandfather faced.
Great insights, observations and dot connecting. I don’t think the reason that mainstream news doesn’t provide viewers with analyses of factors that contribute to things like frequent massive floods, regular mass shootings, surging homelessness, and ubiquitous chronic illness is a lack of story telling skills. It’s much more likely due to corporate sponsorship of US news empires, and high profile and highly paid journalists who benefit from the status quo. Love that a former member of the latter group pointed out the lack of solidarity among today’s elites with the people who helped create their fortunes. Just wish every time a liberal used the term ‘safety net’ they would also state that the need for it is because the owning class won’t pay workers living wages. They create poverty, structurally and systematically, then blame the poor for draining the public coffers. Are the 70 million Americans on Medicaid all victims of a bad decision, addicted to drugs, or living with a disability? Nope. Many work at Walmart and for other companies that won’t pay family supporting wages, offer fulltime employment, or provide health benefits. So working people who pay the bulk of federal taxes are subsidizing these corporations. It’s the real redistribution of wealth. The real abuse of Medicaid. Love Anand’s take, his kind and respectful approach to his guests, and his curiosity. He’s a national treasure.
What an amazing conversation with you two! It is people like the two of you that give me hope for the future. I am 86 and am fortunate enough to have 4 little great granddaughters ages 5, 2 3 year old and the baby is 6 months old. I worry for their future and what the world will be like in a few years. It is fun to watch their personalities developing and wondering what life will be like for them when they are my age.
If I can be so presumptuous, if you didn't experience the movie JAWS 50 years ago, or even if you did, watch it again when it's re-released this summer. It is an incredible microcosm of so much of what happens in the country at large. Some of the scenes and lines from that film are just incredible in that regard, like, "I think you're going to ignore this problem until it swims up and bites you in the ass!!"
I can’t help remember the parallel with Sandy Hook. We were sure it would be a turning. But no😢
I really enjoy this kind of conversation and appreciate both of you very much💙
Incredible piece , Anand! And amazing conversation. America is so lucky to have your voices!
I shared your article about the Texas floods with several friends. My friend who writes a climate newsletter said it was the most moving piece he’d read about the tragedy. But interestingly, it was my friend who grew up in Texas whose wife’s family knew some of the lost children who wrote -“I read Anand's piece that you sent. Unfortunately, I've known those people like Hunt and he wouldn't care.”
I think seeing how republicans are acting now, we have to somehow, while keeping a positive vision for the future, protect ourselves, and understand that there are people who choose to cause harm despite knowing that their own family members might be the ones most negatively effected.
Once again, thank you for reminding us that we can do more than be sad. Being part of a solution is uplifting because it is empowering. Regarding how to explain the complex - I was thinking the parable as a work to deliver thought provoking stories about cause and effect in an easy to grasp neutral way, but Terry is right, modern media platforms and techniques are effective and catchy. He did pick a great time to get fired. We are lucky to have you both as gifted independents.
I am so sick of people saying, "Now's not the time." If not now, when?
Great conversation. I am not so confident that this will change their relationship to the fossil fuel industry. We shall see.
You both kept talking about having the wealthy think of their future generations because those generations may not have wealth. But you miss a critical point: in the crucible of climate change, even wealth won’t save you — look at Janie Hunt.
While I appreciate you connecting the dots and painting the larger picture, ultimately—sadly—I think these folks just don’t care one whit about saving a life. It simply does not move them — it is not a motivating force — at all. They will all be going on to a better place, no?
My superpowers are planning and organizing. Which as you can imagine made me the most boring person on earth, who would seriously ask, "What do you think system XYZ will function like if we don't make changes now?" I was told until I couldn't hear any more that people do not care about what might be, they only care about what is happening now or very soon in a future they can conceive. That is the interval in which the gift of the storyteller is paramount. Climate change must somehow, please the gods, be rendered into a tale. Thank you Anand.
Nice to have Anand as the focus...his is an authentic and moving voice in a world on fire.
Very interesting and thought provoking conversation between you two! Loved it!