Gideon's Substack

Gideon's Substack explores global and domestic political dynamics, focusing on conflict, democracy, and societal issues. It examines ideological conformity, geopolitical tensions, and the impacts of political decisions, offering insights into the complexities of allyship, governance, and the consequences of ideological and military conflicts on societies and international relations.

Political Analysis Geopolitical Conflicts Democracy and Governance Societal and Cultural Issues Ideological Trends and Impacts International Relations Military Strategies Legal and Judicial Perspectives Human Rights Economic Conditions and Policies

The hottest Substack posts of Gideon's Substack

And their main takeaways

Authority and Expertise

0 implied HN points • 12 Apr 21
  1. People rely on familiar relationships for information rather than official sources.
  2. Authority can come from relationships or expertise.
  3. Clear communication from trusted sources is crucial in overcoming vaccine hesitancy.

Hot Wrap

0 implied HN points • 12 Jul 21
  1. The importance of breaking up the largest states for better representation and governance
  2. Europe's shift towards right-wing politics and its potential impact on the American left
  3. The evolving landscape of American politics, including the rise of first-time gun ownership and changing religious identities

Stepping Out

0 implied HN points • 13 Apr 21
  1. The experience of going to the movies during the pandemic was a mix of excitement and apprehension.
  2. Watching a film in a theater provides a unique sense of solitude and communion with others.
  3. The film 'La Strada' sparked reflections on the blurring of performance and reality in cinema.

Kathryn Garcia: The Anti-Yang

0 implied HN points • 27 Apr 21
  1. Kathryn Garcia has extensive experience in city government and has tackled various challenges.
  2. Garcia's lack of political life may hinder her campaign in fundraising and gaining attention.
  3. Despite being an outsider in politics, Garcia is positioned as a credible and pragmatic candidate who has garnered support from various groups.

Liberals Should Want Breyer to Live Forever

0 implied HN points • 15 Jun 21
  1. Liberals have a strategic interest in Justice Breyer staying on the Supreme Court.
  2. The political nature of the Court poses dilemmas for liberals that conservatives don't face.
  3. The legitimacy and effectiveness of the Court in upholding liberal values are at risk if it loses its appearance of neutrality.
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Belated Weekly Wrap-Up

0 implied HN points • 25 Apr 21
  1. Vaccine uptake efforts should focus on making the vaccine more accessible and communicating effectively with the public.
  2. The author reflects on recent posts about a movie, Jewish achievement, and suggests engaging with thought-provoking books.
  3. The pandemic remains a crucial global issue, highlighting varying degrees of responses across different countries.

Teach Us to Number Our Days

0 implied HN points • 16 May 21
  1. The importance of reflecting on mortality and wisdom
  2. Engaging in spiritual practices can be both edifying and mechanical
  3. The fleeting nature of experiences and the value of turning them into meaningful moments

James Carville Wants to Police the Language Police

0 implied HN points • 28 Apr 21
  1. James Carville advocates for speaking in a way that connects with ordinary people.
  2. The dominance of woke language may hinder the Democratic Party's ability to communicate effectively with a diverse audience.
  3. Encouraging real debates and expressing genuine differences in opinion can lead to clearer communication and understanding.

How To Win Friends and Influence Allies

0 implied HN points • 21 May 21
  1. It's important to understand and navigate alliance dynamics when core interests are at stake.
  2. Countries will prioritize their core interests despite external pressure or influence.
  3. The case for distancing from allies should focus on national interests and potential outcomes, not just punitive measures.

Rebel Angels?

0 implied HN points • 08 Jun 21
  1. Some view Korach as a democratic hero, but traditional interpretation sees him as a manipulative demagogue.
  2. Korach's challenge to Moses reveals tension between individual belief and social equality, posing questions on authority and liberalism.
  3. The story of Korach highlights the importance of legitimacy in decision-making and the balance between authority, social equality, and rebellion.

Can We Prevent Election Subversion?

0 implied HN points • 10 Jun 21
  1. Gerrymandering is a persistent threat to democracy by manipulating district boundaries for political gain.
  2. Potential election subversion is a pressing concern, with fears of spurious fraud claims overriding election results.
  3. There is a lack of legislative proposals addressing election subversion, highlighting the need for solutions to protect elections from manipulation.

Democracy Is Good

0 implied HN points • 06 Apr 21
  1. Belief in the universal right to vote is important for democracy
  2. Every person, even if ignorant, lazy, or stupid, should have the right to vote
  3. Participation in the democratic process helps build essential citizen virtues

In the End, There Can Be Only One

0 implied HN points • 09 Apr 21
  1. Democratic systems aim to choose popular leaders.
  2. Different electoral systems can produce unexpected results.
  3. Ranked-choice voting can impact election outcomes.

Unknown Knowns

0 implied HN points • 30 Jun 21
  1. Donald Rumsfeld's concept of 'unknown knowns' emphasizes the importance of recognizing false beliefs as knowledge.
  2. The Iraq War highlights the dangers of decision-making based on 'unknown knowns' and refusal to acknowledge well-known but inconvenient truths.
  3. Rumsfeld's approach to intelligence highlights the prioritization of information for bureaucratic purposes rather than for accurate decision-making.

The Autobiography of an Idea

0 implied HN points • 30 Apr 21
  1. Debating the nature of American nationhood is an integral part of American identity.
  2. America is defined by a common idea rather than a myth of common ancestry.
  3. The 1619 Project aims to challenge the traditional understanding of America as an idea and emphasizes common ancestry.

Et Tu, Naftali?

0 implied HN points • 04 May 21
  1. Netanyahu failed to form a government, leading to uncertainty in Israeli politics.
  2. Irreconcilable differences among right-wing parties prevented coalition formation.
  3. Stability in Israeli politics hinges on resolving contradictions among right-wing voters, anti-Netanyahu majority, and right-wing super-majority.

Reparations and the Black Nationalist Counterfactual

0 implied HN points • 15 Apr 21
  1. Reparations involve assessing harm, finding fault, making restitution, and achieving closure.
  2. Reparations aim to transform inter-communal relations and create a positive foundation.
  3. Advocates have different views on the closure proposed by reparations, with some seeing it as a re-founding of America to end structural racism.

Mother's-Day-Week Wrap-Up

0 implied HN points • 10 May 21
  1. The Thucydides Trap highlights the risks in the conflict between America and China over Taiwan.
  2. The discussion on America's declining fertility rate raises concerns about the future.
  3. Government support for childbearing and childrearing is crucial, regardless of the impact on fertility rates.

Seven-Weeks' Wrap-Up

0 implied HN points • 16 May 21
  1. The author reflects on their Substack journey from Passover to Pentecost, emphasizing the importance of consistency in writing.
  2. The author delves into the lab-leak hypothesis for the origins of the pandemic, discussing the challenges in media coverage and the need for investigative reporting.
  3. The author highlights key topics in recent pieces, including reflections on becoming a parent, the Israel-Palestine conflict, and the impact of newspaper endorsements in local politics.

Unwrapped

0 implied HN points • 31 May 21
  1. The author wrote quite a bit but nothing was published this week.
  2. The post mentions forgoing a wrap-up and resuming after the long weekend.
  3. The post encourages to share.

Did Asia Benefit From a Milder Variant?

0 implied HN points • 19 May 21
  1. COVID-19 impact varied among different continents.
  2. East Asian countries performed better with potential milder variants.
  3. Speculation that the virus may have evolved differently in different regions.

Notes on The Merchant of Venice

0 implied HN points • 03 Jun 21
  1. The play 'The Merchant of Venice' is still seen as an antisemitic play.
  2. Portia is viewed as a controlling character who might have deeper reasons for her behavior.
  3. Antonio, Shylock's partner, is a complex character that adds depth to the play.

First Wrap of the Summer

0 implied HN points • 07 Jun 21
  1. The challenge of saving democracy in a time of hyper-polarization is difficult due to the endurance of populism and stark polarization.
  2. Even in a divided political landscape, finding a workable long-term political arrangement is crucial.
  3. Cultural events like operas and discussions on classic literature offer valuable insights and reflections on contemporary issues.

Weekly Wrap-Up

0 implied HN points • 03 May 21
  1. The artist's role in maintaining and transforming classic works raises questions about the concept of timelessness in art.
  2. Intellectual property is argued to lack essential property characteristics and can hinder innovation.
  3. Cultural creativity is at risk due to overly strong intellectual property protections, impacting creators and the broader cultural landscape.

Weekly Wrap-Up

0 implied HN points • 16 Apr 21
  1. The article discusses Andrew Yang's mayoral candidacy in New York and how his optimism resonates with voters.
  2. The article examines the decision to withdraw from Afghanistan and questions when the US should have left.
  3. The author also mentions his recent articles on authority and expertise, visiting a movie theater, and advocating for reparations.

Democracy Requires Consensus on the Rules

0 implied HN points • 01 Jun 21
  1. Democracy needs agreement on rules to function well
  2. Partisan distrust complicates enacting necessary reforms
  3. Changes to election rules must aim for bipartisan legitimacy