Podcast Summary: Victor Davis Hanson Interviews David Mamet The Victor Davis Hanson Show | Episode: "Victor Davis Hanson Interviews David Mamet" | Release Date: June 7, 2025

In this enlightening episode of The Victor Davis Hanson Show, host Victor Davis Hanson engages in a profound conversation with acclaimed playwright, screenwriter, and author David Mamet. The discussion delves into Mamet's latest work, "The Disenlightenment," and explores the complexities of contemporary political and social landscapes, particularly focusing on the repercussions of Enlightenment ideals, the rise of Wokeism, and the deteriorating state of American universities.

1. Introduction to David Mamet and "The Disenlightenment"

Victor Davis Hanson opens the episode by introducing David Mamet as "probably the greatest combined screenwriter and playwright and author in America still living." He highlights Mamet's new book, The Disenlightenment, setting the stage for a deep dive into the themes and critiques presented in the work.

2. Defining Disenlightenment and Critiquing Wokeism

Mamet begins by clarifying the concept of "disenlightenment," emphasizing it as a response to the misapplication of Enlightenment principles. He frames Wokeism as a perversion of these ideals, leading society "down the road to Sodom and Gomorrah" ([04:51]).

David Mamet [04:51]:
"It's kind of ironic. Yeah, it's a homage to the horror and the tragedy of Woke ism of the people who have taken the Enlightenment and chased it down the road to Sodom and Gomorrah."

3. The Equality Debate: Result vs. Opportunity

The conversation shifts to the contentious debate between equality of result and equality of opportunity. Mamet critiques the Marxist underpinning of Wokeism, which categorizes individuals into binary roles of "victimizer and victim," undermining personal accountability and fostering division ([05:09]).

David Mamet [05:39]:
"We have this binary between victimizer and victim and then we put everybody in this category..."

4. Historical Parallels: Open Cities and Power Vacuums

Mamet draws parallels between contemporary political chaos and historical instances of open cities during wartime, such as Paris in 1944 and Moscow in 1812. He likens the current American political landscape to these tumultuous times, where multiple factions vie for power in the absence of strong leadership ([07:15]).

David Mamet [07:31]:
"The Biden administration was a coup that then decamped. So what you had was a vacuum of power, an open City..."

5. The Decline of American Universities: Lowering Standards and Affirmative Action

A significant portion of the discussion critiques the current state of higher education in the United States. Mamet argues that universities have lowered their academic standards in favor of affirmative action and diversity initiatives, resulting in graduates who are less competitive and well-prepared for the workforce ([15:44]).

Victor Davis Hanson [18:05]:
"The response... Larry Ellison... He said, how? To the audience, how many satellites does the EU have... that's Elon. Yeah. So he's done things that nobody, Henry Ford didn't."

6. Political Landscape: The Trump vs. Biden Administration

Victor and Mamet explore the contrasting approaches of the Trump and Biden administrations. Mamet expresses skepticism about Biden's strategies, particularly regarding foreign policy with Iran, suggesting that Biden's administration lacks cohesive leadership and is reactive rather than proactive ([23:15]).

David Mamet [23:15]:
"We're in a fight. So in a real fight, we don't know where it's going to come out... it's with the gods."

7. California's Crisis: Infrastructure, Homelessness, and Governance Failures

The dialogue intensifies as Victor and Mamet discuss the multifaceted crises plaguing California, including rampant homelessness, failing infrastructure, and dysfunctional governance. They highlight specific examples such as the high cost of gasoline, ineffective disaster response, and the exodus of talent from the state ([51:27]).

Victor Davis Hanson [52:08]:
"California is sort of the first example of a dystopia or decivilization that's happening across... it's almost apocalyptic."

8. The Erosion of Public Confidence in Higher Education

Mamet and Hanson discuss the diminishing public trust in higher education institutions, attributing it to the perceived decline in academic rigor and the embrace of progressive ideologies. This erosion is reflected in hiring practices, where employers prefer graduates from less prestigious institutions who are deemed more competent ([34:16]).

Victor Davis Hanson [34:16]:
"They're not competitive and they're not hiring as much... 60% now have no confidence in higher education."

9. Hollywood's Transformation and David Mamet's Career

Shifting focus to the entertainment industry, Mamet laments the shift from a studio-dominated system to a fragmented, committee-driven model. He shares his personal experiences of navigating this changed landscape, noting increased difficulties for conservatives in Hollywood and the challenges of independent filmmaking ([43:11]).

David Mamet [47:40]:
"The business changed, and people don't want to touch me because I'm a conservative."

10. Elon Musk: A Hero of Modern Innovation Amidst Backlash

In a spirited exchange, Hanson praises Elon Musk for his groundbreaking contributions to technology and society, likening him to historical innovators like Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Edison. Mamet echoes this sentiment, criticizing the leftist backlash against Musk despite his significant achievements ([60:34]).

Victor Davis Hanson [60:35]:
"He's revolutionized... these rockets are incredible."

David Mamet [62:41]:
"It's savagery."

11. Closing Thoughts: The Path Forward

As the episode nears its conclusion, Hanson and Mamet reflect on the dire state of American society and institutions, yet they hint at a cautious optimism fueled by the resilience of individuals and the potential for meaningful change. Mamet mentions his new movie, Henry Johnson, and encourages listeners to engage with his recent work ([64:23]).

David Mamet [65:33]:
"It's amazing."

Notable Quotes:

• David Mamet [07:31]:
  "The Biden administration was a coup that then decamped... an open City."

• Victor Davis Hanson [34:16]:
  "They're not competitive and they're not hiring as much... 60% now have no confidence in higher education."

• David Mamet [43:11]:
  "The business changed, and people don't want to touch me because I'm a conservative."

• Victor Davis Hanson [60:35]:
  "These rockets are incredible."

Conclusion

This episode offers a compelling critique of contemporary American society through David Mamet's incisive analysis. From the distortion of Enlightenment ideals to the systemic failures within higher education and governance, Mamet provides a thought-provoking perspective on the challenges facing the United States. His insights call for a reevaluation of current policies and a return to foundational principles that uphold meritocracy and individual accountability.

For those interested in exploring these themes further, David Mamet's latest book, The Disenlightenment, and his new film, Henry Johnson, are highly recommended.