Episode
#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
2:14:56
Published: Fri Apr 30 2021
Description
Jeremi Suri is a historian at UT Austin. Please support this podcast by checking out our sponsors: - LMNT: https://drinkLMNT.com/lex to get free sample pack - Munk Pack: https://munkpack.com and use code LEX to get 20% off - Belcampo: https://belcampo.com/lex and use code LEX to get 20% off first order - Four Sigmatic: https://foursigmatic.com/lex and use code LexPod to get up to 60% off - Eight Sleep: https://www.eightsleep.com/lex and use code LEX to get special savings EPISODE LINKS: Jeremi's Twitter: https://twitter.com/JeremiSuri Jeremi's Website: http://jeremisuri.net This is Democracy Podcast: http://jeremisuri.net/archives/1798 The Impossible Presidency (book): https://amzn.to/2QKC5Jp PODCAST INFO: Podcast website: https://lexfridman.com/podcast Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/2lwqZIr Spotify: https://spoti.fi/2nEwCF8 RSS: https://lexfridman.com/feed/podcast/ YouTube Full Episodes: https://youtube.com/lexfridman YouTube Clips: https://youtube.com/lexclips SUPPORT & CONNECT: - Check out the sponsors above, it's the best way to support this podcast - Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/lexfridman - Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexfridman - Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexfridman - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lexfridman - Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lexfridman - Medium: https://medium.com/@lexfridman OUTLINE: Here's the timestamps for the episode. On some podcast players you should be able to click the timestamp to jump to that time. (00:00) - Introduction (14:33) - Power of charisma (20:24) - US presidency (31:10) - Aliens (36:17) - Bill Clinton (39:07) - Students of history (43:58) - George Washington (46:44) - Putin (53:27) - FDR (1:08:39) - Henry Kissinger (1:18:32) - Realpolitik (1:30:22) - What is a just war? (1:36:27) - Cold war (1:40:44) - Communism in the United States (1:50:42) - Vaccines and the future of the human species (1:55:57) - Book recommendations (1:57:31) - Learning another language (2:01:58) - Advice for young people (2:08:10) - Grandmother (2:11:03) - Meaning of life
Chapters
Historian Jeremy Suri talks about his research interests and writing in modern American history, focusing on presidents and individuals who wielded power.
00:00 - 01:18 (01:18)
Summary
Historian Jeremy Suri talks about his research interests and writing in modern American history, focusing on presidents and individuals who wielded power. This podcast has several sponsors but contains no ad for a product.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Electrolytes, hydration, and good snacks are essential when sustaining the Keto, carnivore, or fasting diets.
01:18 - 07:46 (06:27)
Summary
Electrolytes, hydration, and good snacks are essential when sustaining the Keto, carnivore, or fasting diets. Getting a daily dose of sodium, potassium and magnesium will help beat "keto flu" symptoms such as headaches and fatigue.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The episode discusses breaking free from constraints and realizing one's full potential within the limits of their abilities, as well as the concept of true freedom as the ability to design oneself without societal limitations.
07:46 - 14:26 (06:40)
Summary
The episode discusses breaking free from constraints and realizing one's full potential within the limits of their abilities, as well as the concept of true freedom as the ability to design oneself without societal limitations.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
One-on-one interactions are essential for leaders to understand the biggest problem in an individual's life, especially in complex organizations with varying interests.
14:26 - 19:50 (05:23)
Summary
One-on-one interactions are essential for leaders to understand the biggest problem in an individual's life, especially in complex organizations with varying interests. While not everyone may excel in one-on-one conversations, effective leaders must be able to quickly react and move people in the desired direction.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The current president of the US has significant power to initiate the assassination of someone, which poses a threat to democracy.
19:51 - 24:45 (04:54)
Summary
The current president of the US has significant power to initiate the assassination of someone, which poses a threat to democracy. Unlike past presidents who relied on their power to mobilize people to make their own decisions, the current president commands an unprecedented amount of military and economic power.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The US military is restricted in its ability to challenge the president, making the president's power extensive in terms of gaining information, engaging in wars, and more.
24:47 - 33:59 (09:12)
Summary
The US military is restricted in its ability to challenge the president, making the president's power extensive in terms of gaining information, engaging in wars, and more. The circumstances and institutions surrounding us drive human behavior and the structures have more effect than we tend to acknowledge.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Former President George W. Bush faced challenges with not asking important questions and being discouraged or prevented from doing so, highlighting the importance of having intelligent and trustworthy advisors.
33:59 - 39:43 (05:44)
Summary
Former President George W. Bush faced challenges with not asking important questions and being discouraged or prevented from doing so, highlighting the importance of having intelligent and trustworthy advisors. Comparisons are drawn between his leadership style and criticisms of current President Donald Trump.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast discusses how looking back at history does not necessarily hold the key to progress in the future, despite the importance of studying human nature.
39:43 - 43:33 (03:49)
Summary
The podcast discusses how looking back at history does not necessarily hold the key to progress in the future, despite the importance of studying human nature.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In contrast to the common perception that power corrupts, George Washington's tenure as the first U.S. President exemplified how power can be wielded with a sense of purpose and duty.
43:33 - 50:05 (06:31)
Summary
In contrast to the common perception that power corrupts, George Washington's tenure as the first U.S. President exemplified how power can be wielded with a sense of purpose and duty. He recognized that his power was that of a statesman, not just of a president, and chose to step down after two terms out of his belief in the greater good of the country's democratic principles.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker talks about Google's mission to make information accessible to everyone, which they believe is one of the most beautiful missions in the history of any company.
50:05 - 58:17 (08:11)
Summary
The speaker talks about Google's mission to make information accessible to everyone, which they believe is one of the most beautiful missions in the history of any company. They also discuss the current state of the country and how it feels more divided than ever before.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The language used by politicians has the power to make people forget their stance on controversial issues such as immigration and war.
58:17 - 1:02:46 (04:29)
Summary
The language used by politicians has the power to make people forget their stance on controversial issues such as immigration and war. As an engineer and scientist, this makes the speaker feel uneasy about the art of politics versus the science behind it.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The President's role is to rise above natural human tendencies and empathize with the suffering of those who are different.
1:02:46 - 1:09:08 (06:22)
Summary
The President's role is to rise above natural human tendencies and empathize with the suffering of those who are different. In the context of World War II, many people could have done a lot to stop Hitler and prevent the atrocities committed by Stalin, but failed to do so.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast explores how Henry Kissinger, despite his humble beginnings as a respected teacher in Germany, became the right person at the right time and paved the way for international affairs and diplomacy in major universities in the US.
1:09:08 - 1:15:38 (06:29)
Summary
The podcast explores how Henry Kissinger, despite his humble beginnings as a respected teacher in Germany, became the right person at the right time and paved the way for international affairs and diplomacy in major universities in the US.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Kissinger's approach to Realpolitik involves identifying allies and building webs of connections to manipulate power centers to serve the interests of your own country, while building surrogates in other parts of the world.
1:15:38 - 1:22:12 (06:34)
Summary
Kissinger's approach to Realpolitik involves identifying allies and building webs of connections to manipulate power centers to serve the interests of your own country, while building surrogates in other parts of the world. His career was defined by his experience in the 1950s building a network of people across the world who were rising leaders from unique positions.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The podcast discusses the relationship between Kissinger and the person writing his story, as well as the tactics used by him to make things look like the President has options.
1:22:12 - 1:27:08 (04:55)
Summary
The podcast discusses the relationship between Kissinger and the person writing his story, as well as the tactics used by him to make things look like the President has options. The speaker also shares their personal experience of being sweet talked by someone and then realizing it later on.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
This podcast explores the debate between conducting war through a realistic approach of doing whatever it takes to control centers of power versus leading through idealism and acting in the best version of the ideas represented.
1:27:08 - 1:35:08 (08:00)
Summary
This podcast explores the debate between conducting war through a realistic approach of doing whatever it takes to control centers of power versus leading through idealism and acting in the best version of the ideas represented. The conversation contemplates the corrupting nature of power and its impact on military policy in distinguishing between just war and war crimes.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The concepts we hold on to, such as social security, universal basic income, and resource allocation, influence our policies and are fundamentally different than those of the Soviet Union.
1:35:08 - 1:45:33 (10:24)
Summary
The concepts we hold on to, such as social security, universal basic income, and resource allocation, influence our policies and are fundamentally different than those of the Soviet Union. When making decisions, it's essential to consider whether they show evidence of making things better or worse, especially concerning ideologies that have led to atrocities committed under communism.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The Second Amendment assumes that people should have the right to defend themselves with self-defense weapons, but mass shootings are usually carried out with mass killing weapons.
1:45:33 - 1:50:41 (05:07)
Summary
The Second Amendment assumes that people should have the right to defend themselves with self-defense weapons, but mass shootings are usually carried out with mass killing weapons. In debates over gun control, the issue often comes down to a fight over individual freedom versus public safety.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The politicization of vaccines has taken away from the celebration of human achievement in managing the current pandemic.
1:50:41 - 1:56:17 (05:36)
Summary
The politicization of vaccines has taken away from the celebration of human achievement in managing the current pandemic. Our inability to actively manage our environment will be cited as a negative, but the shift towards a virtual world and personas will also be remembered as a hallmark of our time.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
Learning a foreign language can open up our minds to new perspectives and ways of perceiving the world, increasing empathy and understanding of different lived experiences.
1:56:17 - 2:04:23 (08:06)
Summary
Learning a foreign language can open up our minds to new perspectives and ways of perceiving the world, increasing empathy and understanding of different lived experiences. Building relationships with interesting individuals, rather than solely seeking out powerful individuals, can also broaden our understanding and insight.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The speaker talks about finding joy in boring or menial labour and being passionate about life.
2:04:23 - 2:08:39 (04:15)
Summary
The speaker talks about finding joy in boring or menial labour and being passionate about life. They also touch on how money will find its way if you focus on your passions.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
The evolution of life and its connection to the development of artificial life, and the need to establish behavior patterns for both, as well as the potential fallacy of thinking higher education is the only source of intelligence.
2:08:39 - 2:13:45 (05:06)
Summary
The evolution of life and its connection to the development of artificial life, and the need to establish behavior patterns for both, as well as the potential fallacy of thinking higher education is the only source of intelligence.
Episode#180 – Jeremi Suri: History of American Power
PodcastLex Fridman Podcast
In this podcast, the conversation shifts from Abraham Lincoln to robots, and they discuss the evolution of artificial intelligence and its role in society.
2:13:45 - 2:14:49 (01:03)
Summary
In this podcast, the conversation shifts from Abraham Lincoln to robots, and they discuss the evolution of artificial intelligence and its role in society. They also mention the importance of education in safeguarding democracy.