#452 — Is Wokeness Finally Dead? - Making Sense with Sam Harris Recap
Podcast: Making Sense with Sam Harris
Published: 2026-01-07
Duration: 21 minutes
Guests: John McWhorter
Summary
Sam Harris and John McWhorter discuss the persistence of 'wokeness' and its impact on academia and society, despite a perceived cultural shift away from extreme ideologies.
What Happened
John McWhorter reflects on the rise and fall of 'peak woke' culture, noting that although it seems to have reached a peak, its ideologies persist, particularly in academia. He discusses how certain ideologies continue to influence hiring and curriculum decisions, despite efforts to curtail them. McWhorter argues that terms like DEI are becoming euphemisms for older concepts like affirmative action, and warns that the ideologies will persist under new labels. Sam Harris expresses hope that political failures, such as Kamala Harris's presidential campaign, signal a recalibration away from extreme leftist positions. McWhorter and Harris debate the impact of social media in amplifying moral panics and the widespread misconceptions about police violence against Black men. They argue that a sane dialogue post-George Floyd's death would have avoided the myth that Black men are disproportionately killed by police. The discussion explores how false narratives, amplified by social media, have skewed public perception of police violence statistics. McWhorter mentions his reluctance to continually engage in discussions about race, despite recognizing its importance, and Harris shares similar sentiments about the repetitiveness of the topic. The conversation briefly touches on McWhorter's differing views with Glenn Lowry on issues like the Israel-Palestine conflict, highlighting the ongoing complexity and nuances within these debates.
Key Insights
- Despite the perceived decline of 'peak woke' culture, its ideologies continue to influence academia, particularly in hiring and curriculum decisions, suggesting a persistence under new labels.
- Terms like DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) are increasingly used as euphemisms for older concepts such as affirmative action, indicating a shift in language while maintaining similar goals.
- Social media has played a significant role in amplifying moral panics and misconceptions about police violence against Black men, contributing to skewed public perceptions of statistical realities.
- The conversation between McWhorter and Harris touches on the complexity of race discussions, with both expressing fatigue over the repetitive nature of these debates, despite acknowledging their importance.