Bonus: Last Ditch Effort
Summary
The hosts discuss the viral story of Last Ditch, a failing bar in Massachusetts that faced intense backlash for making Saturday night mask-wearing optional. David Leonhart argues against the "lesbian bar" shorthand, noting it unfairly mocks the venue, while also reflecting on how the story highlights the damage caused by prolonged, rigid pandemic policies in blue America. The conversation explores the broader cultural phenomenon of illiberal purity testing on both the political left and right, emphasizing the need to recognize complex trade-offs rather than relying on rigid ideological abso…
Topics discussed
Introduction: The Last Ditch bar story and its viral absurdity
David Leonhardt on the 'lesbian bar' shorthand and linguistic discomfort
Katie Herzog on the bar owners' intentions and local backlash
The 'illiberal strain' in lefty culture and purity testing
Mocking political extremes: Park Slope co-ops and general tendencies
Reflections on 2021-2022 masking policies and school closures
The consensus of 'following the science' and its consequences
Trade-offs in pandemic policy and impact on disabled communities
Righteousness, blind spots, and social power in liberal settings
Connecting lefty virtue signaling and righty rejection of empathy
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