JRE #1719 – Michael Shellenberger

14-Oct-21

This podcast dives into a critical examination of progressive urban policies, specifically in San Francisco, and their unintended consequences. Michael Shellenberger, a journalist and author of “San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities,” shares his insights on the city’s decline, emphasizing the role of victim ideology, drug decriminalization, and the failure of housing-first policies. Underlying themes explore the tension between compassion and accountability, the pitfalls of dogmatic progressivism, and the need for pragmatic solutions to complex societal problems.

Major Topics

1. San Francisco’s Decline: A Case Study in Progressive Failure

   1. Shellenberger attributes San Francisco’s decline to a shift in progressive policies from helping addicts to viewing them as victims.
   2. He argues that the city’s lack of consequences for bad behavior has created a chaotic environment, with open-air drug use, theft, and homelessness rampant.
   3. Shellenberger contrasts San Francisco’s situation with cities like Amsterdam, where a balance of compassion and discipline leads to better outcomes.
   4. He highlights the role of victim ideology in preventing effective intervention and treatment, ultimately harming those in need.

2. The Rise of Victim Ideology and Its Consequences

   1. Shellenberger argues that victim ideology has become a dominant force in progressive circles, leading to an unwillingness to demand accountability from those in need.
   2. He critiques the idea that all people of color are victims, labeling it a form of racism, and challenges the concept of “white privilege” as a blanket generalization.
   3. He points to the growing trend of dogmatic progressivism, where any deviation from the accepted ideology is met with accusations of white supremacy or other forms of prejudice.
   4. Shellenberger emphasizes the need for a more nuanced and pragmatic approach to addressing complex societal issues, acknowledging that solutions often involve uncomfortable truths and tough choices.

3. Calpsych: A Proposed Solution for California’s Homelessness Crisis

   1. Shellenberger proposes Calpsych, a centralized agency that would take responsibility for addressing homelessness and drug addiction in California, drawing inspiration from the Dutch model.
   2. The proposal emphasizes shelter first, treatment first, and housing earned, requiring individuals to comply with treatment plans before receiving permanent housing.
   3. Calpsych aims to streamline and coordinate fragmented services, providing personalized care plans and addressing the duplication and inefficiencies of existing programs.
   4. Shellenberger argues that a hierarchical, centralized system is necessary to achieve effective outcomes, and that such an approach aligns with the need for universal psychiatric care.

4. The History and Evolution of San Francisco’s Drug Culture

   1. Shellenberger traces San Francisco’s tolerant drug culture back to the 19th century, with the city being the last in the United States to shut down opium dens.
   2. He points to the 1960s counterculture movement, which celebrated a broader drug culture, including heroin, and the CIA’s Operation Midnight Climax, which further normalized drug use in the city.
   3. He highlights the role of the harm reduction movement and the liberalization of opioid prescription in the 1990s as contributing factors to the current opioid epidemic.
   4. Shellenberger argues that the confluence of the opioid and methamphetamine epidemics, along with the increasing availability of fentanyl, has created a dangerous and deadly situation in the city.

5. The Role of “Housing First” and the Propaganda of “Homelessness”

   1. Shellenberger criticizes the “housing first” movement, arguing that it fails to address the underlying issues of addiction and mental illness, and instead perpetuates the cycle of homelessness.
   2. He points out the misleading nature of the term “homelessness,” suggesting that it misdirects attention from the root causes of the problem, which are often drug addiction and mental illness.
   3. He highlights the lack of evidence for the effectiveness of housing-first policies, citing research showing that many individuals experiencing homelessness are not simply struggling to afford rent, but are actively engaged in drug use and criminal activities.
   4. Shellenberger argues that a more effective approach would involve addressing addiction and mental illness first, with housing being earned through compliance with treatment plans.

6. The Role of George Soros and the Funding of Progressive Causes

   1. Shellenberger discusses the role of George Soros and his foundation in funding progressive causes, including drug reform initiatives.
   2. He suggests that Soros’s approach aligns with a libertarian perspective, advocating for individual freedom and choice, even when it comes to drug use.
   3. He describes Soros’s funding strategy, which often involves supporting candidates far to the left of existing officials, pushing the ideological needle further in a particular direction.
   4. Shellenberger raises questions about Soros’s motivations and the long-term consequences of his funding, suggesting that it has contributed to the radicalization of progressive politics.

7. The Importance of Law Enforcement and Consequences for Bad Behavior

   1. Shellenberger argues that law enforcement is crucial to addressing crime and disorder, and that defunding the police leads to increased violence and chaos.
   2. He emphasizes the need for a balanced approach that involves both compassion and discipline, including consequences for bad behavior, such as arrests and mandated treatment.
   3. He rejects the idea that arrests are inherently harmful or further victimize individuals, arguing that they can serve as interventions and provide opportunities for access to treatment.
   4. Shellenberger criticizes the ACLU’s opposition to coercion and its view that individuals with mental illness should not be held accountable for their actions, arguing that this approach ultimately harms both individuals and communities.

8. The “Coddling Culture” and Its Role in Progressive Politics

   1. Shellenberger connects the progressive approach to homelessness and drug addiction to a broader “coddling culture,” which he argues has become increasingly prevalent in society.
   2. He criticizes the emphasis on over-protecting children, providing participation trophies, and avoiding adversity, suggesting that these practices undermine resilience and personal responsibility.
   3. Shellenberger argues that the lack of discipline and consequences in childhood contributes to a cycle of entitlement and an unwillingness to confront challenges in adulthood.
   4. He draws parallels between the coddling of children and the “victim ideology” that permeates progressive politics, suggesting that both practices hinder personal growth and lead to societal dysfunction.

9. The Dutch Model: A Case Study in Pragmatic Progressivism

   1. Shellenberger praises the Dutch model for its balanced approach to addressing drug addiction and homelessness, emphasizing the importance of both compassion and discipline.
   2. He highlights the Dutch system of shelter first, treatment first, and housing earned, with consequences for non-compliance with treatment plans.
   3. Shellenberger contrasts the Dutch approach with the current policies in San Francisco and other progressive cities, arguing that the Dutch model demonstrates the effectiveness of a pragmatic, evidence-based approach.
   4. He suggests that the Dutch model provides a blueprint for a more effective and humane approach to addressing complex societal issues.

10. The Need for a Political Response and a New Kind of Progressivism

    1. Shellenberger argues that a cultural backlash against “bad woke” and victim ideology is underway, but that a corresponding political response is needed.
    2. He calls for a new kind of progressivism that is more pragmatic and less dogmatic, prioritizing solutions over ideology and acknowledging the need for consequences.
    3. He suggests that there is a growing constituency of politically homeless individuals who are seeking an alternative to the rigid ideological divisions of the current two-party system.
    4. Shellenberger believes that Calpsych, or a similar policy proposal, could provide a platform for a new, pragmatic progressive movement that addresses complex societal issues effectively.

11. The Rise of Fentanyl and the Need for Mandatory Treatment

    1. Shellenberger emphasizes the deadly nature of fentanyl, highlighting its role in the escalating overdose crisis.
    2. He argues that the current approach of decriminalization and harm reduction is ineffective, and that mandatory treatment is necessary to save lives.
    3. Shellenberger draws parallels between the current situation and the Tuskegee experiment, highlighting the ethical implications of denying individuals access to effective treatment.
    4. He suggests that the ongoing fentanyl crisis represents a dangerous and ethically dubious experiment, where the consequences of inaction are far more severe than the potential risks of intervention.

12. The Censorship of Opposing Views and the Rise of Totalitarianism

    1. Shellenberger expresses deep concern about the growing trend of censorship and the suppression of dissenting voices, particularly on social media platforms.
    2. He argues that this censorship is driven by a combination of ideological dogmatism, financial interests, and a desire for power.
    3. Shellenberger warns of the dangers of allowing corporations to control the flow of information and dictate what can and cannot be discussed, comparing this trend to a form of digital totalitarianism.
    4. He emphasizes the importance of intellectual freedom and open discourse, arguing that the suppression of opposing views ultimately weakens society and hinders progress.

13. The Role of Nuclear Power in Addressing Climate Change

    1. Shellenberger advocates for nuclear power as a safe, clean, and reliable source of energy, challenging the common perception of it as dangerous.
    2. He argues that the risks associated with nuclear power have been greatly exaggerated, pointing to the fact that there have been no civilian deaths related to nuclear waste.
    3. Shellenberger contrasts nuclear waste with the environmental impact of solar panels and electronic waste, arguing that nuclear power produces far less waste and has a smaller environmental footprint.
    4. He highlights the energy density of nuclear fuel and its ability to provide a reliable and consistent source of power, unlike intermittent sources like solar and wind.

14. The Importance of Shared Humanity and the Dangers of Ostracism

    1. Shellenberger emphasizes the importance of recognizing our shared humanity and the dangers of viewing those with whom we disagree as monsters or “the other.”
    2. He criticizes the tendency towards emotionalism and aggression in public discourse, arguing that it hinders productive conversations and leads to polarization.
    3. Shellenberger suggests that a greater emphasis on open and respectful dialogue, even with those holding opposing viewpoints, is crucial for building a more cohesive and functional society.
    4. He advocates for a culture of intellectual humility, where individuals are willing to acknowledge their own fallibility and engage in genuine exploration of ideas, rather than clinging to rigid ideologies.

15. The Need for a New Political Landscape and a More Nuanced Approach to Issues

    1. Shellenberger expresses concern about the limitations of the current two-party system, arguing that it creates a false dichotomy and prevents meaningful dialogue.
    2. He calls for a more nuanced political landscape, with a wider range of viewpoints and a greater emphasis on pragmatic solutions.
    3. Shellenberger suggests that the current political climate has become too polarized and that a more tolerant and open-minded approach is needed to address complex societal issues effectively.
    4. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing the complexity of issues and avoiding simplistic or ideological solutions, advocating for a more data-driven and evidence-based approach to policymaking.

Memorable Quotes

1. “Basically, the question I wanted to ask is how did we go from this place of we need to help addicts get into recovery so that you deal with the root cause of the problem to basically viewing addicts, people with mental illness, the homeless, as victims who are sacred and who have to be protected from the consequences of their own behavior.”
2. “It’s this thing that happens to people when they I had a friend who worked with homeless people. And he was a comedian, and he was doing a bunch of different charity work. And he would work for the laugh actor. They have this, like, feed the homeless thing. And and he said, dude, the thing is is, like, once you work with them for a long time, he goes, you sort of get to this place where you’re, like, I don’t think you can fix this the way we’re fixing it by just like giving them food and giving them shit. Like, something needs to be done radically to change it. He’s like, these there’s so many of these people that are so fucked up, like allowing them to continue what they’re doing and continue camping, and continue just living on the street is not good for anybody, and it’s just gonna make more of them, which sounds crazy until you see what’s happened in Los Angeles.”
3. “You always have to give people a chance to improve their lives, and you have to have consequences for bad behavior. And that seems so obvious and so simple. But basically, that’s what we’ve done in progressive cities is that we’ve just removed the sticks so that there’s no consequences for bad behavior.”
4. “The idea that all black people are victims, I think is a racist idea. The idea that all white people are benefiting from privilege, also a racist idea.”
5. “It’s this thing that human beings do. When you’re on one side and there’s some people on the other side, that that’s the opposing tribe that you’re at war with. And we we need to come to some sort of an understanding about human behavior and and the the requirements that people have that are are essentially woven into the very fabric of our biology.”