Let’s Go Coup-ing

Capitalism wins in 'treat yourself' culture.

By Jonah Goldberg, Sarah Isgur, and David French

Published June 30, 2023

Will the Supreme Court’s affirmative action decision in Harvard lead to a public backlash? What does the Coup That Wasn’t tell us about Russia (and about Americans’ changing perceptions of the war)? And will David French’s recent New York Times piece about transgenderism in women’s sports finally get him cancelled? Sarah, Jonah, and yet-uncancelled David French discuss.

Like what we’re doing? Please consider becoming a member of TheDispatch.com. You’ll be getting a suite of newsletters (including Kevin Williamson’s Wanderland, our news-breaking Dispatch Politics, and our flagship daily newsletter The Morning Dispatch), access to additional podcast episodes and exclusive shows, and be invited to members-only live Dispatch events. But most importantly: you’ll be helping us keep the lights on. So if you believe in our mission, we hope you’ll consider joining us.

Out of context: “I think I heard Henry Kissinger making the same point.”

Show Notes:

-Want the full legal analysis of SCOTUS’ affirmative action decision? Check out our latest Advisory Opinions.

-David’s NYT piece on the erosion of women’s sports

-Jonah’s G-File about isms, cultural cliches, and treat-yourself-culture

–Millennial and Gen Z economic malaise is creating a ‘treat culture’ as they turn to tiny purchases for a dose of daily escapism

Listen on your player of choice

Jonah Goldberg

Jonah Goldberg is editor-in-chief and co-founder of The Dispatch, based in Washington, D.C. Prior to that, enormous lizards roamed the Earth. More immediately prior to that, Jonah spent two decades at National Review, where he was a senior editor, among other things. He is also a bestselling author, longtime columnist for the Los Angeles Times, commentator for CNN, and a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. When he is not writing the G-File or hosting The Remnant podcast, he finds real joy in family time, attending to his dogs and cat, and blaming Steve Hayes for various things.

Sarah Isgur

Sarah Isgur is a senior editor at The Dispatch and is based in northern Virginia. Prior to joining the company in 2019, she had worked in every branch of the federal government and on three presidential campaigns. When Sarah is not hosting podcasts or writing newsletters, she’s probably sending uplifting stories about spiders to Jonah, who only pretends to love all animals.

David French

David French is a columnist for the New York Times. He’s a former senior editor of The Dispatch. He’s the author most recently of Divided We Fall: America's Secession Threat and How to Restore Our Nation.

Please note that we at The Dispatch hold ourselves, our work, and our commenters to a higher standard than other places on the internet. We welcome comments that foster genuine debate or discussion—including comments critical of us or our work—but responses that include ad hominem attacks on fellow Dispatch members or are intended to stoke fear and anger may be moderated.