If the First Industrial Revolution used water and steam to fundamentally change the nature of work, the current industrial revolution—the disruption of automation, information, the internet, and now AI—is transforming everything about the way we work, connect, and interact with the natural world.
Great interview. Listening to Paul talk about all the things he hates about capitalism it sounds like he’s actually against statism or as libertarians like me would call it : crony capitalism . So he supports free markets in the originalist sense but not top-down - politically connected capitalism.
Its interesting to hear an activist admit that most of the 'save the world' activists are performative and foolish. The chants change, from "No nukes!" to "Bush lied, people died" to "Globalize the Intifada" and yet its the same people. When was it anyone's job to 'save the world'? I took particular note that Mr. Kingsnorth rejected Christianity the first time around exactly because it was familiar. I've long noticed that many young people are 'xenophiliac' meaning they are attracted to anything not a part of their home culture, regardless how repellent the alternatives are, or how successful their home culture is. I was never taught to hate my American cultural inheritance until I went to college, and had to undo the damage on my own. Finally, I wonder if Mr. Kingsnorth, having journeyed through so many stations in life, will simply role back around to his previous positions. Or, has he arrived at the 'right' or truthful position? If there is real truth, he should stop changing so drastically, and be fine tuning from here on out. Or, will it be back to the barricades in a few more years?
Congrats Bari you absolutely nailed this interview!! So interesting to hear two very intelligent people express themselves. Look forward to reading more of Paul’s art. (I like “people’s art” in lieu of “people’s work.”)
This was a wonderful interview in so many ways. I have not heard of Paul Kingsnorth before but I am so heartened that there are such intelligent and thoughtful people among us. For those endeavoring to find "the path" he is definitely a signpost. Thanks, Bari.
Very enjoyable. I find myself agreeing with people I would not have listened to 10 years ago. My comment on Covid at the time is that it was a dry run for the police state. I think Paul would agree with me.
This interview exemplifies what drew me to Bari’s work initially. Listening to my very first episode of Honestly (Rufo vs. French) in July 2021, I remember thinking, “I don’t even know what the interviewer’s opinion is on this subject! So refreshing!” That is what I have always loved about Honestly, and the conversation with Paul Kingsnorth was a breath of fresh air. As Bari notes, it’s okay for people to “change their minds.” I know it is impossible for every writer at the Free Press to write every article with the same spirit, but I really wish they would strive to do so.
I learned about Paul and his writing several years ago from my brother… And perhaps he is the one person I can point to, who’s able to articulate and operationalize so many of my thoughts and feelings these last 4-5 years. Thank you for this wonderful interview!
Paul Kingsnorth is one of the two sanest men yet alive (Wendell Berry is the other) - they see more clearly and more deeply than anyone I can think of since C. S. Lewis. I have found Paul's writing to be a lifeline in the past four year, and I am grateful for his work.
His Christian conversion is one that is I have heard before, his was a aggressive one . Many today will think him a bit crazy for this, and I hope many will believe him logical to accept it , as I do. His world changed because of it , as it would when anyone accepts it . Today's world of non-believe is missing this piece of god and it makes all the difference . Explore Bishop Barrons web site or youtubes and you see him talking about this hole in the non-believers all the time. This hole in us causes so much trouble because there is no way to fill it but with GOD.
Excellent interview. Fascinating. Kingsnorth is easily the most interesting thinker on the interwebs right now. (Where he no doubt would rather not be.)
What a thought-provoking interview! I'll listen to it twice and discuss with friends. (Week after week, Bari, you give us important ideas to wrestle with. We thank God for you!)
Kingsnorth's words remind of CS Lewis: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
Great interview... Odd how you feel the need to distance yourself from his comments in the intro... Still trying to sit at the cool kids lunch table? Old habits die hard I guess. You do realize they kicked you out of the club and made you move to California :-)
Great interview. Listening to Paul talk about all the things he hates about capitalism it sounds like he’s actually against statism or as libertarians like me would call it : crony capitalism . So he supports free markets in the originalist sense but not top-down - politically connected capitalism.
Its interesting to hear an activist admit that most of the 'save the world' activists are performative and foolish. The chants change, from "No nukes!" to "Bush lied, people died" to "Globalize the Intifada" and yet its the same people. When was it anyone's job to 'save the world'? I took particular note that Mr. Kingsnorth rejected Christianity the first time around exactly because it was familiar. I've long noticed that many young people are 'xenophiliac' meaning they are attracted to anything not a part of their home culture, regardless how repellent the alternatives are, or how successful their home culture is. I was never taught to hate my American cultural inheritance until I went to college, and had to undo the damage on my own. Finally, I wonder if Mr. Kingsnorth, having journeyed through so many stations in life, will simply role back around to his previous positions. Or, has he arrived at the 'right' or truthful position? If there is real truth, he should stop changing so drastically, and be fine tuning from here on out. Or, will it be back to the barricades in a few more years?
Congrats Bari you absolutely nailed this interview!! So interesting to hear two very intelligent people express themselves. Look forward to reading more of Paul’s art. (I like “people’s art” in lieu of “people’s work.”)
This was a wonderful interview in so many ways. I have not heard of Paul Kingsnorth before but I am so heartened that there are such intelligent and thoughtful people among us. For those endeavoring to find "the path" he is definitely a signpost. Thanks, Bari.
What a journey from despair to hope. Thank you for this interview.
Very enjoyable. I find myself agreeing with people I would not have listened to 10 years ago. My comment on Covid at the time is that it was a dry run for the police state. I think Paul would agree with me.
This interview exemplifies what drew me to Bari’s work initially. Listening to my very first episode of Honestly (Rufo vs. French) in July 2021, I remember thinking, “I don’t even know what the interviewer’s opinion is on this subject! So refreshing!” That is what I have always loved about Honestly, and the conversation with Paul Kingsnorth was a breath of fresh air. As Bari notes, it’s okay for people to “change their minds.” I know it is impossible for every writer at the Free Press to write every article with the same spirit, but I really wish they would strive to do so.
I learned about Paul and his writing several years ago from my brother… And perhaps he is the one person I can point to, who’s able to articulate and operationalize so many of my thoughts and feelings these last 4-5 years. Thank you for this wonderful interview!
Paul Kingsnorth is one of the two sanest men yet alive (Wendell Berry is the other) - they see more clearly and more deeply than anyone I can think of since C. S. Lewis. I have found Paul's writing to be a lifeline in the past four year, and I am grateful for his work.
His Christian conversion is one that is I have heard before, his was a aggressive one . Many today will think him a bit crazy for this, and I hope many will believe him logical to accept it , as I do. His world changed because of it , as it would when anyone accepts it . Today's world of non-believe is missing this piece of god and it makes all the difference . Explore Bishop Barrons web site or youtubes and you see him talking about this hole in the non-believers all the time. This hole in us causes so much trouble because there is no way to fill it but with GOD.
Very grateful for this interview. I love Paul’s series on the holy wells of Ireland.
Excellent interview. Fascinating. Kingsnorth is easily the most interesting thinker on the interwebs right now. (Where he no doubt would rather not be.)
This was a beautiful episode. Thank you
Now you need to interview Martin Shaw!
What a thought-provoking interview! I'll listen to it twice and discuss with friends. (Week after week, Bari, you give us important ideas to wrestle with. We thank God for you!)
Kingsnorth's words remind of CS Lewis: “I believe in Christianity as I believe that the sun has risen: not only because I see it, but because by it I see everything else.”
Great interview... Odd how you feel the need to distance yourself from his comments in the intro... Still trying to sit at the cool kids lunch table? Old habits die hard I guess. You do realize they kicked you out of the club and made you move to California :-)