RETURN TO CHANNEL

Search Captions & Ask AI

Bari Weiss on elite institutions: "Give up the heroin needle of prestige."

April 17, 2025 / 00:58

This episode features a discussion on institutional change, radicalism versus reformism, and the importance of building new systems. Key topics include the role of prestige in education and the need for competition to drive change.

The guest reflects on their journey from a reformer at the New York Times to a more radical perspective, emphasizing that real change comes from creating alternatives rather than trying to fix existing institutions. They argue against the obsession with prestigious educational institutions.

There is a strong critique of the societal values that prioritize elite education over family and community values. The guest encourages listeners to rethink what they value and to focus on building a better future.

TLDR

The episode critiques elite education and advocates for creating new systems over reforming existing institutions.

Episode

0:58

00:00:00

And this is where I guess I'm more of a radical than a reformer. I think I began

00:00:03

at the New York Times as a reformer believing that I could make a difference. And I God bless the people

00:00:08

who are still trying to do that. I think there's a role for both. I think what has made me more of a radical, not

00:00:13

politically, but just in terms of my posture has been that I have become someone who believes that the way to

00:00:20

change those institutions is not to give money to those places or join the board

00:00:24

of them or delude yourself with the idea that you can transform them from within.

00:00:28

It's to build new things. And in building new things and creating competition, it forces the other people

00:00:33

to change. Give up the heroin needle of prestige. Rip it out of your arm immediately. Stop poisoning yourself,

00:00:41

your families, and your children with the bankrupt notion that them getting into Harvard or Yale is more important

00:00:49

than inculcating in them a sense of love of family, of country, and of all of the

00:00:54

things we used to think were normal.

Episode Highlights

Radical vs. Reformer
The speaker discusses their shift from reformer to radical, emphasizing the need for new solutions.
“I have become someone who believes that the way to change those institutions is not to give money to those places.”
@ 00m 16s
April 17, 2025

Episode Quotes

Give up the heroin needle of prestige.
Bari Weiss on elite institutions: "Give up the heroin needle of prestige."
Stop poisoning yourself with the bankrupt notion.
Bari Weiss on elite institutions: "Give up the heroin needle of prestige."

Key Moments

Building New Things00:28
Family Values00:49