Extra: Ryan Streeter on Cultural Communities and the Civitas Institute
Anna Leman listens in to a Great Antidote about saying "yes" even when "no" is easy and familiar.
Whatever you do, do not become hyper self-centered. In this episode of The Great Antidote on cultural communities and the Civitas Institute,” Ryan Streeter emphasizes the importance of saying yes.
Ryan Streeter is the executive director of the Civitas Institute at the University of Texas at Austin. He and the host Juliette Sellgren discuss cities, the importance of mobility and growth, how to foster those characteristics, skepticism of government, and living in and creating a community that fosters social cohesion and critical thinking here:.
At the opening of the episode, Streeter challenges young people to say yes to more experiences. He encourages them to embrace the lessons, perspectives, and relationships that accepting new, risky opportunities brings. His account of his escapades across the country as a semi-truck driver brings this point home. Not only did he learn how to drive big trucks and see America’s wide expanse, but talking with other truckers and living their life gave him a unique appreciation for them and their work. Walking a mile in someone’s shoes teaches you how to value and be grateful for that person.
It also protects you from falling into the trap of intellectual superiority. From his time in D.C., Streeter comments that Washington D.C. is like a group of “first row students” that know all the answers. Rather than asking genuine questions and building impactful organizations and changes, they pontificate about what they know. Streeter observes that “if you spend too much time there, even if you're from the heartland, it's really tempting to gain this kind of posture of self-importance or that you just kind of are ‘in-the-know’ more than your family members back in the heartland or people around the country” (25:31). Rather than falling for the temptation, say yes to engaging with new people. Say yes to trying new things. Say yes to remaining open in heart and humble in mind.
1.) How can intellectual humility be encouraged in the intellectual world of politics, think tanks, and universities?
2.) What crazy experience did you learn life-changing lessons or gain lasting relationships from?
Want more?
Aviral Chawya’s Social Cohesion and Economic Prosperity, at AdamSmithWorks
Richard Gunderman’s Intellectual Pride and the Limits of Theory, at AdamSmithWorks
Thomas Sowell’s Intellectuals and Society
Intellectual Humility: An Introduction to Philosophy and Science, Dr. Ian Church and Peter Samuelson
Aviral Chawya’s Social Cohesion and Economic Prosperity, at AdamSmithWorks
Richard Gunderman’s Intellectual Pride and the Limits of Theory, at AdamSmithWorks
Thomas Sowell’s Intellectuals and Society
Intellectual Humility: An Introduction to Philosophy and Science, Dr. Ian Church and Peter Samuelson