Jonah and Kevin’s Excellent Adventure

Kevin Williamson is a man of mystery: he’s an “Eisenhower libertarian,” he’s been accused of ...

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Kevin Williamson is a man of mystery: he’s an “Eisenhower libertarian,” he’s been accused of being a D.C. insider (he lives in Texas), and (most famously) he’s a former staff writer for The Atlantic even though they only gave him one byline before firing him. Life in Kevin’s Fortress of Solitude has stayed mostly the same – even in the midst of a pandemic. Lucky for us, that means he had time to talk to Jonah about his unique political perspective, the role of government in a crisis, and how his “libertoid” opinions help him solve those mysteries of his.


Show Notes:

–Kevin’s latest book, The Smallest Minority

–Kevin’s upcoming essay collection, Big White Ghetto

–The (massively underrated) Tyranny of Cliches

–Suicide of the West (now out in paperback!)

–Adhocracy, a favorite term of Jonah and Kevin’s

–Kevin’s The End is Near

–Kevin’s claim to being an “Eisenhower libertarian”

–Douglass North’s impenetrably brilliant Violence and Social Orders

–Obama’s second inaugural: “preserving our individual freedoms ultimately requires collective action.”

–The unfortunately-named philosophical paradox, “Buridan’s Ass”

–Cleta Mitchell, releasing works for consumption by the populist masses

–Kevin’s The Case Against Trump

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Comments (16)
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  1. Tedsisson

    The more Kevin Williamson the better.

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  2. John

    FYI, a more digestible version of the book, Violence and Social Orders, (JG mentioned) is North et al’s article with the audacious but awesome title, “A Framework for Understanding Recorded Human History.”

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  3. ROBERT

    This single podcast alone is worth the price of an entire year's subscription! Two of my favorite writers together, talking. What more could I ask for?
    However I did find myself wanting to interject and ask questions. I kept forgetting I wasn't part of the conversation. The Remnant is appointment podcasting!

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    Adicesa14

    As usual with the Remnant, I enjoyed this podcast, and it will cost me money because I’ll be buying Kevin’s book.

    Jonah said “… support, in the moment … some of the same problems with Obama.” Indeed. However, elections are choices. The 2016 Presidential choices were agonizing. There were three choices; Hilary, Trump, and don’t vote (or one of the ‘lesser’ candidates, which is the same thing). For me, none were in the ‘sweet spot.’ Trump was the choice because I reasoned the Republican Party would do a better job of tamping down (or at least attempting) his worst impulses than the Democrats would do for Hilary’s. As for Obama, I can understand choosing him over John McCain, but I’m still stunned that he beat Mitt Romney. You see, it’s not support, it’s choice.

    Kevin spoke of “… desire to get wealthy.” It’s a healthy desire unless you add ‘at any cost!’ Too many have no boundaries, and will do anything for position, money and power. William F Buckley once used an adage he’d heard: “The trouble with socialism is socialism. The trouble with capitalism is capitalists.”

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  5. Collin Saunders

    I didn’t even care that this podcast went over the hour mark. I actually like this format better — Jonah and his guest talking until they cannot talk anymore.

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    CynthiaW

    I think my favorite part was Kevin's discussion of the social significance of billionaires.

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    JDW

    I loved this podcast! One of your best. I loved the insider discussion about being in the "Trump critical on occasion camp" and the hypocrisy in those criticizing you. I believe being devoted to the truth is the highest calling of a true journalist. Thank you for being part of the remnant.

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    Pastorfbt

    The Presidency as idolatry. Love it. Theologically it scans.

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      CynthiaW

      I'd like to read Kevin's book that analyzes current politics through the lens of premodern theo-monarchy systems. I'd like him to include a section on sport fandom as a manifestation of classical hero cults. This was super obvious following Kobe Bryant's death.

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    Nathan

    Kevin's opening question, "who canceled?", was hilarious. Kudos to Jonah for answering honestly.

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    CynthiaW

    I was so excited when I saw this podcast on my feed last night. I was on the verge of having a Towering Tantrum when I saw the mess my family left after their Chinese food meal, but instead, I just turned on Jonah and Kevin, and I washed it all up without a single complaint. I was enjoying it so much that I considered additional kitchen cleaning efforts, but it was time for a soothing British murder mystery.

    The stovetop will be scrubbed today, though. Please keep talking, guys!

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      C C Writer

      Attention Jonah: when you decide it's time to clean up your kitchen, I highly recommend listening to podcasts such as the Remnant, the Dispatch, GLOP, and Mad Dogs & Englishmen while you do it. They actually make me look forward to doing housework. Oh, wait . . .

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        CynthiaW

        I just reorganized the pantry. Why do we have four bags of cornbread stuffing mix? Spice cabinet is next. Myths and Legends is doing the Trojan War.

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