Effective Altruism & Dark MAGA is Growing

In this episode, Alex discusses Biden’s new agreement to contain China and move away from neoliberalism. He discusses how “mail-in voting” seems to be okay with Republicans if it is from their side. Then he discusses the idea of “effective altruism” and how someone ran on it in a house primary in Oregon. Effective Altruism could useful in American politics and in helping communities around the world, it focuses on “using evidence and reason to figure out how to benefit others as much as possible, and taking action on that basis.” Finally, Alex worries about the symbolic nature of what “Dark MAGA” may entail. Madison Cawthorn used the term when declaring war on the moderate republicans who likely helped in getting him out of the House. Some may laugh it off, but Alex thinks it is symbolic of an edgier and revenge-filled MAGA mentality that has grown since Trump left office. He discusses how Dark MAGA is growing, he cites the rhetoric of Marjorie Taylor Greene, JD Vance, and others, who have used dangerous and weaponized rhetoric against Democrats, mainly calling them scum, evil, and pedophiles. Alex worries this language could lead to true division and irreconcilable differences.