Amy, who you probably know as the Tiger Mom, is a law professor at Yale and the other of several books, including "The Triple Package" and "Political Tribes." In this episode we discuss the experience of being an immigrant, of being a minority within a minority, and the importance of, in Amy’s words, “turning being an outsider into a source of strength,” not victimhood. For three clips of my conversation with Amy — on how college kids these days are terrified of debate; on how to be resilient in the face of bigotry; and on the courage of the individual in the face of woke conformity — head over to our YouTube page.
I wonder if the huge increase in teenage girls with gender dysphoria who come out as trans is related to how much of a pain it is to go from being a skinny kid who can in many ways outrun and outplay boys to experiencing the very real and very unpleasant signs of puberty. No longer can you run and jump without noticing the excruciating sensation of your shirt brushing budding breasts. Your weight redistributes--suddenly running and jumping isn't as effortless because you are weighted down with new and strange looking fat deposits on your hips and thighs. And these things happen early--before you start your periods. Pair that with the insane and unrealistic bodies seen as ideal and it's no wonder girls are reacting the way they are. The problem is that rather than support girls through puberty, there is an echo chamber that tells kids that any kind of dislike for or discomfort with their changing bodies is a sign they are "trapped in the wrong body," and the gender-affirming model gives no space for teens to explore their thoughts and feelings of having their body change and not having any control over the changes.
This is certainly how I felt. I started to develop early and hated hated hated it. There was no place to bring the discomfort and shame, the disgust I felt over the creepy, unwanted attention. I can absolutely imagine wanting to just “cut it all off” (“top surgery” in today’s parlance I suppose). It would have been a tragedy if I’d been “supported” or encouraged in this way when what I needed was understanding, emotional support for my experience, and perhaps a good & proper fitting for clothing that helped me feel like myself (and present in a way I felt comfortable) despite my changing form. On the other hand, I do not know the trans or non-binary experience or what approach would suit someone best in that circumstance. Probably the best approach is a bespoke one, as it is for any human. We’re all different. If only we could be met where we are, wherever that is.
You are very interesting, but you didn't give Amy Chua even equal time. You may be excited on a topic, but I really don't feel I heard her, mostly just you and she just had to echo you because you ran over the entire conversation.
I think Andrew knows this but it's challenging to shift from guest to host. He should find a host to police the discussion (is Chris Bodenner free?), which would allow guests more time and also let Andrew cut loose.
Another thing -- seeing as no one debates anything anymore, living in their echo chambers, why not deputize people to fully represent the CRT view, for example, and then debate that? It does get boring to hear people agree for an hour or so.
Hi Andrew, as a previous commenter said, i would have loved to hear more of what Amy had to say. I share your concerns about CRT, but it’s supposed to be a conversation not a monologue (even when the monologue is eloquent and insightful).
You should speak with professor Adolph Reed or his son professor Touré Reed. Both offer a very harsh critique of Race reductionism while class seems to be his favourite bugaboo. He is someone who is likely to agree with you on many things wrt to identify politics , while also being quite to the economic left of you.
I agree that the illiberal left is a small minority and there is a silent majority that opposes “the successor ideology.” Many of the latter are silent, because they are flat out scared to speak up, but there are others who are willing but have forgotten how to communicate constructively with people with whom they disagree. For any of your readers in this category, I’d recommend they take a look at Braver Angels (www.braverangels.org), a nationwide, grassroots movement to depolarize our country that serves as a venue for people to engage each other across the political spectrum, teaches skills for bridging the political divide, and provides opportunities to practice those skills. Braver Angels doesn’t try to change anyone’s mind or values, but instead tries to change how we treat each other, in the hopes of understanding why people believe what they do, seeing their humanity, and finding common ground if it exists.
Maybe my gaydar is broken but I always got gay vibes from William F. Buckley, especially when he famously lashed out at Gore Vidal. All that drawling and affect. It would explain a lot if it were true.
I recall watching C-SPAN Booknotes Brian Lamb discussing Amy Chua's first work "World on Fire" - which doesn't get much attention - many years ago. Her thesis now seems prophetic and seems to makes similar points as Thomas Sowell about 'groups' dominating the economic landscape in some countries.
I recall watching C-SPAN Booknotes Brian Lamb discussing Amy Chua's first work "World on Fire" - which doesn't get much attention - many years ago. Her thesis now seems prophetic and seems to makes similar points as Thomas Sowell about 'groups' dominating the economic landscape in some countries.
I wonder if the huge increase in teenage girls with gender dysphoria who come out as trans is related to how much of a pain it is to go from being a skinny kid who can in many ways outrun and outplay boys to experiencing the very real and very unpleasant signs of puberty. No longer can you run and jump without noticing the excruciating sensation of your shirt brushing budding breasts. Your weight redistributes--suddenly running and jumping isn't as effortless because you are weighted down with new and strange looking fat deposits on your hips and thighs. And these things happen early--before you start your periods. Pair that with the insane and unrealistic bodies seen as ideal and it's no wonder girls are reacting the way they are. The problem is that rather than support girls through puberty, there is an echo chamber that tells kids that any kind of dislike for or discomfort with their changing bodies is a sign they are "trapped in the wrong body," and the gender-affirming model gives no space for teens to explore their thoughts and feelings of having their body change and not having any control over the changes.
This is certainly how I felt. I started to develop early and hated hated hated it. There was no place to bring the discomfort and shame, the disgust I felt over the creepy, unwanted attention. I can absolutely imagine wanting to just “cut it all off” (“top surgery” in today’s parlance I suppose). It would have been a tragedy if I’d been “supported” or encouraged in this way when what I needed was understanding, emotional support for my experience, and perhaps a good & proper fitting for clothing that helped me feel like myself (and present in a way I felt comfortable) despite my changing form. On the other hand, I do not know the trans or non-binary experience or what approach would suit someone best in that circumstance. Probably the best approach is a bespoke one, as it is for any human. We’re all different. If only we could be met where we are, wherever that is.
You are very interesting, but you didn't give Amy Chua even equal time. You may be excited on a topic, but I really don't feel I heard her, mostly just you and she just had to echo you because you ran over the entire conversation.
I think Andrew knows this but it's challenging to shift from guest to host. He should find a host to police the discussion (is Chris Bodenner free?), which would allow guests more time and also let Andrew cut loose.
Another thing -- seeing as no one debates anything anymore, living in their echo chambers, why not deputize people to fully represent the CRT view, for example, and then debate that? It does get boring to hear people agree for an hour or so.
Hi Andrew, as a previous commenter said, i would have loved to hear more of what Amy had to say. I share your concerns about CRT, but it’s supposed to be a conversation not a monologue (even when the monologue is eloquent and insightful).
You should speak with professor Adolph Reed or his son professor Touré Reed. Both offer a very harsh critique of Race reductionism while class seems to be his favourite bugaboo. He is someone who is likely to agree with you on many things wrt to identify politics , while also being quite to the economic left of you.
I’d find it fascinating
Loved this podcast with Amy Chua. Gave me lots of pep in my step. As an Iranian immigrant...I am extremely grateful to America ..
I agree that the illiberal left is a small minority and there is a silent majority that opposes “the successor ideology.” Many of the latter are silent, because they are flat out scared to speak up, but there are others who are willing but have forgotten how to communicate constructively with people with whom they disagree. For any of your readers in this category, I’d recommend they take a look at Braver Angels (www.braverangels.org), a nationwide, grassroots movement to depolarize our country that serves as a venue for people to engage each other across the political spectrum, teaches skills for bridging the political divide, and provides opportunities to practice those skills. Braver Angels doesn’t try to change anyone’s mind or values, but instead tries to change how we treat each other, in the hopes of understanding why people believe what they do, seeing their humanity, and finding common ground if it exists.
RICK HOTCHNER
Maybe my gaydar is broken but I always got gay vibes from William F. Buckley, especially when he famously lashed out at Gore Vidal. All that drawling and affect. It would explain a lot if it were true.
I recall watching C-SPAN Booknotes Brian Lamb discussing Amy Chua's first work "World on Fire" - which doesn't get much attention - many years ago. Her thesis now seems prophetic and seems to makes similar points as Thomas Sowell about 'groups' dominating the economic landscape in some countries.
I recall watching C-SPAN Booknotes Brian Lamb discussing Amy Chua's first work "World on Fire" - which doesn't get much attention - many years ago. Her thesis now seems prophetic and seems to makes similar points as Thomas Sowell about 'groups' dominating the economic landscape in some countries.
The discussion was very interesting and enlightening. I listened to the entire podcast uninterrupted mentally. Thank you