"Uniquely Stupid" Decade

Americans aren’t dumb—at least individually—but something changed in the last ten years that made the country-as-a-whole stupid in an unprecedented way. And yes, it was social media. What was once a place to share cute kid pics became a place to score hits on enemies and undermine institutional trust, and the viral nature of social media empowered the far political extremes, misinformation networks, and an unholy number of trolls. Can a country afflicted by structural stupidity survive?

This conversation was part of the 2022 Aspen Ideas Festival.

Speakers:

Jeffrey Goldberg, Editor in Chief, The Atlantic

Jonathan Haidt, Thomas Cooley Professor of Ethical Leadership, New York University Stern School of Business

Now in its 18th year, the Aspen Ideas Festival is the Aspen Institute’s signature summer public event. Among the key themes explored at this year’s festival are conversations around the concepts of Heat, Power, Connection, Trust, Money, and Beauty.

From June 25-July 1, 2022 more than 300 leaders and innovators gather in the Rocky Mountains to engage in deep and inquisitive discussion of the issues that shape our lives and challenge our times, spanning politics, business, science, the arts, education, and more. #AspenIdeas

For more information about the Aspen Ideas Festival, visit