PODCAST:Past Present Future
TITLE:History of Ideas 10: David Foster Wallace
DATE:2024-01-03 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
In the "History of Ideas 10: David Foster Wallace" episode of the "Past Present Future" podcast, David Runtzman explores David Foster Wallace's essay "Up Simba," which covers John McCain's campaign for the Republican nomination for president in the year 2000. Wallace, known for his fiction, is a great essayist with a unique perspective on various subjects. The episode delves into Wallace's nonfiction work, which is less emotionally charged than his fiction, and offers an outsider's view of the insider world of politics.
Wallace's essay, commissioned by Rolling Stone magazine, is an account of his week with McCain's campaign, capturing the atmosphere and dynamics of American presidential politics. The essay is titled "Up Simba," a peculiar name explained later in the podcast, and presents Wallace as an observer rather than a participant, making his insights distinct from typical political journalism.
Wallace was drawn to McCain's campaign due to its apparent difference from typical political maneuvers. McCain was seen as a more genuine, less packaged candidate, which was intriguing in the political climate of 2000. The podcast discusses the paradox of selling a candidate like McCain, who was perceived as not for sale, and the complexities of his campaign's dynamics, including how he responded to negative campaigning from George W. Bush.
The episode also contrasts Wallace's work with other political journalists, like Hunter S. Thompson and Timothy Krause, highlighting how Wallace's approach differed significantly. Runtzman reflects on the evolution of political campaigning and journalism from 1972 to 2000 and the technological changes that influenced this shift.
Runtzman addresses the impact of McCain's loss in the South Carolina primary and how it was a high point for his campaign but ultimately a historical footnote. He also explores the subsequent developments in American politics, including Sarah Palin's vice-presidential candidacy in 2008 and the emergence of Donald Trump in 2016. The podcast concludes by contemplating the relevance of Wallace's essay in understanding the current political landscape and the transformation of political populism over the years.
The episode offers an in-depth analysis of David Foster Wallace's essay and its significance in understanding American politics, the role of journalism, and the evolution of political campaigns.
