How Are You Still Alive? | Interview: Ben Sasse
Summary
Former Senator Ben Sasse joins Jonah Goldberg to discuss his battle with stage 4 pancreatic cancer and the clinical trial keeping him alive. The conversation shifts to broader societal concerns, including the erosion of public trust, the dangers of social media, and the need to rebuild community institutions. Sasse argues that America faces a "civilizational warping crisis" where digital tools are supplanting physical community, urging a return to screen-free childhoods and local accountability to preserve the republic.
Topics discussed
Introduction and banter about Ben Sass's career
Ben Sass reveals his terminal cancer diagnosis
Details on pancreatic cancer and experimental treatment
Reflections on aging, mortality, and family
Discussion on healthcare policy and basic science
The science behind the new cancer drug mechanism
Healthcare economics and the 'lobster' analogy
Managing pain with morphine and daily life
Sponsor break for Brooklyn Bedding
Reflections on 25 years since 9/11 and adulthood
The importance of responsibility and local community
Affluenza, truth-telling, and journalistic ethics
AI, post-literacy, and the crisis of reality
The value of long-form reading and attention
Screen-free education and factory model schools
Redefining community, work, and social bonds
Institutional trust and the need for new structures
The 'edit function' of institutions vs. populism
Teaching iteration, Socratic learning, and humility
Political endorsements and the culture of certainty
AI deepfakes, politics, and prudent change
Election reform and the anti-majoritarian constitution
The future of work, AI, and community building
Specific proposals for Senate and House reform
Motivations of politicians: fame vs. power
Personal gratitude and the virtue of courage
Closing thoughts on character and resilience
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