Contrarianism, social media and the future of culture wars - a conversation with Atlantic writer Helen Lewis

<p>Phil the producer here, before we get stuck into the show notes - let me briefly tell you about Rafael Behr's new book on fly fishing. </p> <p>Okay, only joking - I'm sue you didn't get hooked by that line. It's obviously about politics and lots of centrist icons have been heaping praise on it. </p> <p>Like ex-Conservative MP and 'podstar' Rory Stewart:</p> <p>'A great work of political analysis,'</p> <p>Or TV chef Nigella:</p> <p>"I'm telling you it is a must-read. Quite apart from the subject matter, Rafael Behr is such an elegant writer."</p> <p>There's lots of other great reviews from household names, too many to repeat here.</p> <p>So, if you're interested here's a link to pre-order:</p> <p><a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Politics-Survivors-Engaged-without-Getting/dp/1838955046/">https://www.amazon.co.uk/Politics-Survivors-Engaged-without-Getting/dp/1838955046/</a></p> <p>Now on with the podcast show we like to call Politics on the Couch.</p> <p>In this wide-ranging and informal conversation*, Rafael Behr chats to former colleague Helen Lewis about whether Whatsapp has changed the way politics is conducted, her favourite Tik Tok channel, the incestous nature of Scottish politics, what's really behind the UK government's immigration policy, what we can learn from Florida culture wars, why the middle ground is so hard to occupy, what we have learnt from the pandemic, and Helen's take on why so many men love listening to other men on podcasts, plus much more. </p> <p>*unstructured</p> <p><strong>Helen Lewis</strong></p> <p>Helen writes about the intersection of politics, society, and digital culture for The Atlantic.</p> <p>Link to Helen’s long read on <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/05/ron-desantis-florida-state-politics-gop/673489/">DeSantis, Trump and the future of American politics for The Atlantic</a></p> <p>She is also the host of the BBC’s long-form interview series, <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/brand/m000c4xt">The Spark</a>. </p> <p>Her next book, The Selfish Gen