This episode of the Power Line podcast features an interview with Michael Walsh about his recent book The Devil’s Pleasure Palace: The Cult of Critical Theory and the Subversion of the West. Walsh explains how most of the nihilistic radicalism of our time derives from the “Frankfurt School,” the group of mid-20th century emigre philosophers whose eclectic post-Marxist thought can be found at the root of nearly everything wrong today. Overturn just about any radical thinker today and, to paraphrase the famous Bertrand Russell story, you’re likely to find that it’s “Frankfurters all the way down.”

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There are 6 comments.

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  1. I Walton Inactive
    I Walton
    @IWalton

    Listen to this.

    • #1
  2. David Sussman Inactive
    David Sussman
    @DaveSussman

    Excellent book. Each sentence is its own idea. Highly recommended.

    • #2
  3. Tom Wilson Inactive
    Tom Wilson
    @TomWilson

    I tried to listen to this this morning in my car. It was nearly imposable to hear Stephen’s voice. I turned the volume to max, but it wasn’t enough. Great topic. Audio quality could use some help. In a quite atmosphere I hope to hear it all.

    • #3
  4. twvolck Inactive
    twvolck
    @twvolck

    I agree with Tom Wilson.  You have to check that what you say is audible.  Mr. Walsh was consistently so.  Steve Hayward was not.  In the latter part, after the interview, Steve was (barely), but John Hinderaker was almost inaudible.

    The Devil’s Pleasure Palace is a fine book.  I’m not as confident as he, though, that the metanarrative he outlines will produce political victory.

    • #4
  5. Stad Coolidge
    Stad
    @Stad

    Michael Walsh is a genius.

    • #5
  6. La Tapada Member
    La Tapada
    @LaTapada

    I very much enjoyed hearing this interview with Michael Walsh. I am going to try the book.

    • #6
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