18. You can't necessarily just vote your way out of this - David Troy

Dave Troy discusses the importance of addressing the underlying cultural factors that perpetuate disinformation and polarization in society. He emphasizes the need to go beyond surface-level analysis and focus on building social connections and trust between people of different backgrounds. Dave suggests that the current political climate in the United States is unsustainable and calls for a reinvention of culture to support a functional democracy. He also highlights the destructive power of disinformation and the challenges of combating it. Dave concludes by urging individuals to humanize their adversaries and engage in meaningful in-person interactions to bridge the divide.

Key Takeaways:

1. Building social capital and fostering connections between people of different backgrounds is crucial for a functional democracy.
2. Disinformation is not just about the information itself, but the effects it has on social division and radicalization.
3. The current political climate in the United States is unsustainable and requires a reinvention of culture to support democracy.
4. Disinformation is easier to spread than real journalism, making it essential to prioritize accurate information and critical thinking.
5. In-person interactions and humanizing adversaries can help bridge the divide and promote understanding.

Quotes:

• "We have to decide what we care about as a country and where we're gonna take this." - Dave Troy
• "It's so much easier to destroy stuff and tear things apart than it is to create or repair things." - Dave Troy
• "Dehumanizing people is easier when you haven't spent time with them." - Dave Troy

About The Guest(s): Dave Troy is a serial entrepreneur turned investigative journalist. He is a visionary thinker who examines complex issues through a unique lens. Dave offers a big picture perspective, employing a systems and network approach to understanding the roots and consequences of disinformation, polarization, and other threats to democracy.