David Samuels, a long-time writer for Harper’s and The New Yorker, joined the show to discuss his new venture, County Highway, and the impact of conspiracy theories on America. Samuels shared that County Highway was inspired by his frustration with the overwhelming amount of fake news during the COVID-19 pandemic. He missed the days of reading a physical newspaper and trusting its content. This led him to create a physical newspaper that focuses on high-quality writing about America and its people. With the help of his friend, novelist Walter Kern, they launched County Highway, which now has around 15,000 subscribers and sells an additional 10,000 copies per issue on newsstands.
The conversation then shifted to conspiracy theories. Samuels pointed out that America was founded on a conspiracy theory: the belief that King George III had a plot to undermine the liberties of North Americans and establish tyranny. Although this was not true, it influenced the Constitution, which includes safeguards against any branch of government becoming tyrannical. This historical context explains why Americans are still fascinated by conspiracy theories.
Samuels also noted that the modern obsession with conspiracy theories can be traced back to the Kennedy assassination, which popularized the term “conspiracy theory.” He emphasized that questioning and skepticism are part of human nature, particularly for Americans. The discussion highlighted the importance of patience and appreciation for real journalism in today’s fast-paced society.