"The Conversation" Podcast Episode 2: Adam Kotsko and Steve Macek on Neoliberalism's Demons

"The Conversation" Podcast Introduction - a conversation about conversations!

I grew up in a loving, traditional town, where it seemed like there were few paths people could take after graduating high school. Back home, it’s not at all uncommon for people to get married and start having families at the age of 19 or 20.

I heard about the Montaigne Scholarship* from the Shimer Great Books School admissions team. As I was applying, they told me about the opportunity to compete. Participating in the competition was one of the best opportunities of my life.

Something weird happens to you once you begin to experience the unique college program at Shimer.

You start to see things. Not hallucinations, per se, but your world begins to warp a little.

What makes a “great book” has been the most contentious issue for the Shimer Great Books School since its distinction as a “great books school” in the 1950s. Is it a classic? A primary material? And who decides what those are, anyway?

Tell us about how you ended up at Shimer Great Books School.

Preparation is underway for our first two-week summer camp: the Shimer Great Books School “Big Ideas” camp. The first big idea will focus on nature, June 18 – 22, and our second idea is technology, June 25 – 29.

I think it's fair to say that the development of democracy and our awareness of diversity developed hand in hand. Let me explain…

The year before I enrolled in the Shimer Great Books program, I was part of a student group at Wright College, my local community college in Chicago, that met weekly to discuss current political developments. I awaited our meetings with a lot of excitement.