The USC Center for the Political Future (CPF) is partnering with The Village Square and Florida Humanities for their "Unum: Democracy Reignited" series to host a discussion with Dr. Jonathan Haidt.

Tuesday, February 13 at 4:00 p.m. PST via Zoom and Facebook Live

Register for this digital event: https://tlh.villagesquare.us/event/after-babel/

What if, at a pinnacle of our civilization’s technological achievement, everything just broke — the institutions we’ve come to rely upon in navigating a modern complex world, the shared stories that hold a large and diverse democratic republic together, and even a common language through which to navigate the rising tide crisis. According to renowned social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt, this describes our current reality, one that he calls “After Babel.” In this new normal, we are scattered by a digital environment into feuding tribes that are governed by mob dynamics and driven by a minority of ideological outliers, made stupid at warp speed by group think, and — thanks to social media — armed with billions of metaphorical “dart guns” with which to immediately wound “the enemy” in ways that are hardly only metaphorical. What could go wrong?

Our very special guest, Dr. Jonathan Haidt, will delve into the profound impact of social media on democratic societies, dissecting the intricate web of challenges it poses to civic trust and civil discourse. Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of the foremost thought leaders of our time — one who has generously given his counsel to The Village Square, and countless efforts like ours — on this existential challenge of our time.

The program includes a preview of Haidt’s highly anticipated upcoming book "The Anxious Generation," available at the end of March. You’re not going to want to miss it.

This program is presented live via Zoom and Facebook Live and made possible by Florida Humanities and National Endowment for the Humanities. Streaming partners include Braver Angels, McCourtney Institute for Democracy, National Institute for Civil Discourse, BridgeUSA, Listen First Project, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future,  Common Ground Committee, Civic Health Project, TP&R podcast, YOUnify, Citizen Connect, Center for the Humanities at University of Miami, Tallahassee Democrat, WFSU Public Media, and Network for Responsible Public Policy.

Register for this digital event: https://tlh.villagesquare.us/event/after-babel/