How to Run an Institution in an Anti-Institution Era | Better in Person
Summary
Stephen Dubner hosts Anne Pasternak of the Brooklyn Museum and Michael Roth of Wesleyan University to discuss leading cultural and educational institutions amid declining public trust. They address the impact of the October 7 attacks, free speech debates, and the role of AI in art and education. The conversation highlights the importance of modeling values, fostering diverse dialogue, and maintaining human connection in an increasingly digital world.
Topics discussed
Intro: Running institutions in an anti-institution era
Michael Roth's moral voice and Anne Pasternak's principles
Museums as places of reality, joy, and public space
Wesleyan's purpose, fundraising, and tuition costs
Public trust, critiques of museums, and endowments
Navigating the post-Oct 7 crisis and cultural boycotts
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Inviting Justice Scalia to Wesleyan and free speech
Misperceptions about museum and university leadership
Show and Tell: Artworks with personal significance
How to look at art and the role of AI in museums
AI in education and the value of social learning
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