Podcast Summary: If Books Could Kill – Breaking News Re-Release: "Hillbilly Elegy"
Release Date: July 16, 2024
Host/Authors: Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri
Episode Title: Breaking News Re-Release: "Hillbilly Elegy"
Podcast Description: The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds
Introduction
In this re-release episode of "If Books Could Kill," hosts Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri revisit their earlier discussion on J.D. Vance's "Hillbilly Elegy". The episode has been brought back into the spotlight following Vance's selection by former President Donald Trump as his running mate for the presidential election. The hosts aim to dissect the book's themes, its reception, and Vance's subsequent political trajectory.
Context: Re-Release Amid Political Shifts
[00:00 – 00:27]
Michael and Peter open the episode amidst recent developments where J.D. Vance has been chosen by Donald Trump as his running mate. They humorously attribute their delayed episodes to personal setbacks—Michael's COVID-19 diagnosis and Peter's engagement with the Elden Ring DLC—highlighting the commitment to keep listeners engaged until their next major episode on Jonathan Haidt's "Anxious Generation."
Notable Quote:
Michael: “We thought we would re-release our Hillbilly Elegy episode now that the author J.D. Vance has been selected by Donald Trump as his running mate for the presidential election.” [00:12]
Critical Examination of "Hillbilly Elegy"
Vance’s Portrayal and Cynicism
[00:42 – 02:17]
Michael criticizes Vance's cynicism, suggesting that his portrayal of Appalachian culture is a “fake persona” designed to advance his political career. He draws attention to Vance's initial disparagement of Trump in 2016 and his subsequent shift to align closely with Trump by 2020, labeling Vance as a figure driven by “
pure naked ambition”.
Notable Quote:
Michael: “That's cynicism is, I think, why he was selected by Donald Trump. ... He's a man of pure naked ambition.” [00:42]
Misrepresentation of Appalachian Culture
[02:17 – 04:02]
Peter argues that Vance's book attempts to capitalize on a supposed “centrist unity wave” by claiming to offer insights into Appalachian people, despite lacking substantial understanding or representation. He dismisses the book's supposed empathy, referring to Vance's portrayal as inherently maligning the poor.
Notable Quote:
Peter: “The book also fits very nicely into this pattern because it was a book meant to capitalize on this centrist kind of unity wave...” [01:35]
Reception: Liberal and Conservative Perspectives
Liberal Embrace and Misinterpretation
[04:02 – 07:25]
Michael and Peter delve into how liberal audiences and mainstream media initially lauded "Hillbilly Elegy". They note endorsements from both conservative and liberal quarters, including praise from outlets like Mother Jones, Vox, Slate, Daily Beast, The Atlantic, and figures like David Brooks and Bill Gates. The hosts argue that liberals misinterpreted the book as a compassionate analysis rather than the sharply critical portrayal it truly is.
Notable Quote:
Michael: “It is a compassion, discerning sociological analysis of the white underclass.” [40:07]
Conservative Recognition of Underlying Themes
[07:25 – 45:22]
Conversely, conservatives quickly identified the book's disdainful view of the white poor. Michael cites a National Review excerpt that captures the book's core argument: “white Appalachians have... the crippling delusion that they cannot improve their lot by their own effort.” This acknowledgment contrasts sharply with the liberal reception, highlighting a divide in interpretation.
Notable Quote:
Michael: “National Review... is correctly identifying the precise theme of the book.” [44:53]
In-Depth Critique of Vance’s Arguments
Poverty and Cultural Decay
[14:53 – 25:05]
The hosts critically assess Vance's thesis that poverty in Appalachia is primarily due to cultural decay rather than economic factors. They counter his anecdotes with data, emphasizing that structural economic issues—such as the loss of manufacturing jobs—are the primary drivers of poverty. Michael references data from the Georgetown Center on Education and the Workforce to debunk Vance's claims about work ethic being the root cause.
Notable Quote:
Michael: “The fundamental problem with Vance's thesis... there is quite literally less work to do than there was before.” [17:52]
Misrepresentation of Welfare and Frivolous Spending
[19:18 – 28:01]
Peter and Michael dissect Vance's portrayal of welfare recipients, highlighting inaccuracies and stereotypes. They argue that Vance unfairly labels welfare recipients as irresponsible or engaging in “frivolous spending”, while neglecting the systemic issues that necessitate such support. They also point out Vance's contradictory stance on welfare—claiming that his own family benefited from it while condemning others.
Notable Quote:
Michael: “The idea that there's this, like, big problem with frivolous spending in poor communities, it's just fiction.” [28:01]
Race and Systemic Issues
[34:21 – 37:46]
The discussion turns to the racial undertones in Vance’s book. Michael criticizes Vance for downplaying the role of race in societal issues, using examples from the book where Vance attributes criticism of President Obama to factors unrelated to race. The hosts argue that Vance’s attempts to separate race from poverty issues or political discontent are disingenuous and misleading.
Notable Quote:
Peter: “I keep a stack of small American flags with me at all times so I can burn them on the Acela corridor in case I see anybody in uniform.” [21:24]
"Hillbilly Elegy" Movie Adaptation
[46:08 – 50:48]
Michael and Peter shift focus to the movie adaptation of "Hillbilly Elegy," criticizing its deviation from the book’s core message. They mock the inclusion of irrelevant elements, such as a nonsensical reference to "Terminator 2: Judgment Day," and express disappointment in the film's superficial treatment of Vance's narrative. The hosts highlight the movie's focus on star power (with Amy Adams and Glenn Close) over substantive content, undermining the book's critical analysis.
Notable Quote:
Peter: “It's hard to say that the movie has a message because it's just sort of like taking the narrative portion of the story, removing everything else and holding it up and throwing Amy Adams and Glenn Close at it and asking for Oscars.” [45:53]
Vance’s Political Evolution and Senate Campaign
[47:22 – 50:48]
The episode concludes with an analysis of J.D. Vance's transformation from an initial critic of Trump to a staunch ally, culminating in his Senate campaign. Michael criticizes Vance's ideological shift, noting his embrace of “culture war” issues like LGBTQ+ rights, Critical Race Theory, and gender ideology. The hosts express skepticism about Vance's sincerity, suggesting that his alignment with far-right politics is opportunistic rather than genuine.
Notable Quotes:
Michael: “He just becomes a Republican.” [48:56]
Peter: “If people are pretending to have authoritarian tendencies to win, that's indistinguishable from actual authoritarianism.” [49:20]
Conclusion: The Cultural and Political Impact of "Hillbilly Elegy"
In wrapping up, Michael and Peter reflect on the broader implications of "Hillbilly Elegy" on American culture and politics. They argue that the book serves as a mirror to longstanding prejudices against the poor, particularly white rural communities, and that its reception showcases a failure to critically assess the narratives imposed on marginalized groups. The hosts caution listeners about the dangers of oversimplified explanations for complex socio-economic issues and the allure of narratives that blame cultural failings over systemic problems.
Final Notable Quote:
Peter: “It's incredible how many people heard what they wanted to hear when they were reading this book.” [50:48]
Key Takeaways
- "Hillbilly Elegy" by J.D. Vance is critiqued for its superficial and cynical portrayal of Appalachian culture, attributing poverty to cultural decay rather than economic factors.
- The book received mixed reactions, with liberals misinterpreting it as a compassionate analysis, while conservatives correctly identified its underlying criticism of the white poor.
- Vance's political journey from a critic to an ally of Trump highlights his opportunistic approach to politics, aligning with far-right ideologies to advance his career.
- The movie adaptation of "Hillbilly Elegy" is criticized for deviating from the book’s critical themes, focusing instead on star power and trivial additions.
- The episode underscores the importance of critically evaluating narratives that blame marginalized communities for systemic issues, advocating for a deeper understanding of socio-economic complexities.
End of Summary