Summary of "The New Yorker Radio Hour" Episode: "We the Builders: Federal Employees Stand Up to DOGE; Plus, Celebrating 100 Years: Michael Cunningham on 'Brokeback Mountain'"

Release Date: March 18, 2025

Section 1: We the Builders: Federal Employees Stand Up to DOGE

Hosts and Interviewees:

• Host: David Remnick
• Guests:
  • Kate Green: Former member of the US Digital Service (USDS), now in the private sector.
  • Milo: Current federal employee, using an alias for protection.

Overview: In this segment, David Remnick delves into the turmoil within federal agencies under the Trump administration, focusing on the mass layoffs of over 100,000 federal workers. He introduces "We the Builders," a platform created by federal employees to support colleagues facing job insecurity, whistleblower challenges, and organizational confusion. The discussion highlights the transformation of the US Digital Service into DOGE and its implications for federal workers.

Key Discussions:

1. Creation and Purpose of We the Builders ([00:46] - [03:04]):

   • Kate Green explains that "We the Builders" serves as a resource for federal employees who have lost their jobs or fear impending layoffs. The platform provides support for those dealing with whistleblower complaints and conflicting directives from higher-ups.
   • Milo adds that the platform aims to humanize federal workers by sharing their stories, much like "Humans of New York," to foster understanding and support from the public, reporters, and activists.

2. Mandate of USDS vs. DOGE ([03:04] - [05:03]):

   • Initially, the US Digital Service (USDS) was established to address critical IT issues, such as fixing healthcare.gov, acting as "digital firefighters." They specialized in rapid problem-solving akin to a "digital SWAT team."
   • Milo contrasts this with DOGE's approach, emphasizing that government work requires careful, methodical processes to ensure reliability and usability, which inherently slows down the pace compared to the private sector.

3. DOGE’s Impact and Confrontational Approach ([05:03] - [07:26]):

   • Milo describes DOGE's interactions with USDS as confrontational and opaque. DOGE representatives often attended meetings without clear identification, acting as supervisors without explaining their roles or intentions.
   • The DOGE team sought concise updates, disregarding the complexity and collaborative nature of USDS projects, leading to frustration and a sense of interrogation among federal workers.

4. Fear and Uncertainty Among Federal Employees ([07:26] - [10:09]):

   • The segment explores the pervasive fear among federal workers about further reductions and sudden layoffs, citing rumors of significant cuts in agencies like GSA and SSA.
   • The randomness and lack of communication in the layoffs have left employees anxious about the stability of their positions and the continuity of essential government services.

5. Potential Disruptions to Critical Services ([10:09] - [12:34]):

   • Concerns are raised about the potential interruptions in vital services such as Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid due to staffing cuts and hasty changes.
   • Milo likens the situation to playing "Jenga," where removing pieces without caution can lead to system-wide failures, threatening individuals' access to healthcare, financial support, and disaster recovery services.

6. Responses and Future Outlook ([12:34] - [14:12]):

   • The discussion highlights three avenues for combating the ongoing layoffs: judicial action, congressional oversight, and grassroots movements.
   • Milo expresses hope that visible impacts on public services will galvanize public activism, drawing parallels to movements like those sparked by George Floyd's death.

7. Final Remarks and Accountability ([13:46] - [14:12]):

   • Milo emphasizes the importance of monitoring DOGE’s initiatives to ensure they genuinely aim to improve access to tax-funded services and maintain accountability within federal projects.

Notable Quotes:

• Milo ([04:17]): “When you're in the private sector and you're rolling a social media app, you can just keep shipping code... but when you're in government, you can't just keep shipping and experimenting directly on people without taking great care.”
• Milo ([05:21]): “The DOGE folks weren't interested in learning about that complexity. They just wanted to have some kind of like snappy 2 or 5 bullet explanation of what I've done in the last couple of weeks.”
• Milo ([10:22]): “Unplugging stuff, plugging stuff into these systems introduces a lot of risk. This is people's livelihoods, their access to disaster recovery, health care, payments for their children.”

Section 2: Celebrating 100 Years: Michael Cunningham on “Brokeback Mountain”

Host and Guest:

• Host: David Remnick
• Guest: Michael Cunningham (Novelist, author of "The Hours" and "Day")

Overview: In celebration of The New Yorker’s centennial, David Remnick features a reflective conversation with novelist Michael Cunningham about the enduring legacy of "Brokeback Mountain." Originally a short story by Annie Proulx published in The New Yorker in 1997, "Brokeback Mountain" became a cultural phenomenon, particularly after its acclaimed film adaptation.

Key Discussions:

1. Initial Impact of "Brokeback Mountain" ([17:18] - [20:00]):

   • Michael Cunningham shares his first experience reading the story, highlighting its unique position as a poignant love story between two men in a prestigious publication during a time when such narratives were rare.
   • He underscores the story's focus on the humanizing portrayal of gay love, setting a new standard for representation in literature.

2. Emotional Depth and Character Portrayal ([17:58] - [20:58]):

   • Monica Wych reads excerpts that capture the nuanced emotions and intimate moments between the protagonists, Jack and Ennis.
   • Cunningham reflects on the authenticity of the characters, noting that their lack of traditional heroism makes their love story profoundly impactful and relatable.

3. Adaptation and Fidelity to the Source Material ([20:58] - [23:28]):

   • The discussion touches on Annie Proulx's disengagement from the film adaptation process. Despite the film's success, Proulx felt that the characters in the movie were portrayed as "too pretty," differing from her vision of them as regular men whose ability to love made them heroic.
   • Cunningham emphasizes the importance of maintaining the story's emotional integrity, which was achieved despite the changes in character aesthetics.

4. Legacy and Enduring Relevance ([23:28] - [24:15]):

   • Cunningham speaks to the story's lasting influence, explaining how "Brokeback Mountain" continues to resonate with audiences and serves as a milestone in LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream media.
   • He highlights the story's ability to evoke deep emotional connections and its role in sparking conversations about love, identity, and societal norms.

Notable Quotes:

• Michael Cunningham ([17:18]): “It was a story in the New Yorker about two gay men that was first and foremost a love story.”
• Michael Cunningham ([18:22]): “The idea that loving a story so much that you want to actually physically incorporate it... is that they are only heroes because they're able to fall in love.”

Conclusion

This episode of "The New Yorker Radio Hour" masterfully intertwines pressing contemporary issues within the federal workforce with a reflective celebration of a literary classic. Through insightful interviews and poignant storytelling, David Remnick provides listeners with a comprehensive understanding of both the challenges facing federal employees under DOGE's restructuring and the enduring cultural significance of "Brokeback Mountain." The episode underscores the importance of transparency, accountability, and the profound impact of storytelling in shaping societal narratives.