Youth Perspectives on Overwhelming World, Social Media, and AI - Episode Hero Image

Youth Perspectives on Overwhelming World, Social Media, and AI

Andy Beshear Podcast · · Listen to Original Episode →
Original Title:

TL;DR

  • Teenagers perceive the world as overwhelming but are passionate and curious, seeking non-partisan news sources amidst a deluge of negative social media content.
  • Social media connects youth by reminding them they are not alone, though it also presents downsides and limitations that can be overwhelming.
  • Climate change is a significant concern for youth, who feel a personal responsibility to enact change as the future generation.
  • Political discourse among youth is limited by a perceived lack of education and the divisive nature of current events, leading to discussions only on major, easily understood issues.
  • Nuclear energy is viewed by some youth as a potentially viable alternative to fossil fuels, despite prevalent misinformation that frames it as inherently scary.
  • Data centers require significant power and community engagement, necessitating fair power rates, equitable property taxes for schools, and genuine local partnerships to be beneficial.
  • AI's rapid development requires adaptation and regulation, offering potential breakthroughs in medicine and genetic mapping but also posing challenges for workforce adaptation.

Deep Dive

The podcast begins with an introduction to the episode's guests: high school students from Atherton High School in Louisville, Kentucky. Governor Beshear explains that this segment is a response to listener feedback requesting conversations with everyday people and, specifically, young people to understand their challenges and perspectives on politics. He outlines five podcast rules for authentic conversation: be authentic, talk like a real human being, no debating reality, tell your why, and have fun.

The discussion then shifts to the first group of high school students. Hayden Gagel, a senior who identifies as a woman and is transgender, Bella Miranda, a junior and baker, and Bianca Phoenix, a senior interested in fencing and lacrosse, introduce themselves. They discuss how they consume news, with social media being the primary source for most of their peers, though Hayden also uses news apps due to her aspiration to be a journalist. They describe the current world as overwhelming but also sparking curiosity and passion, noting that while bad news is prevalent, remembering the good and the positive actions of people, especially after natural disasters, is important. Regarding social media, they believe it brings communities together and reminds people they are not alone, with TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) being the most used platforms. When advising government officials on communicating with their generation, they suggest using current lingo and trends, being funny, giving space for expression, and encouraging research into unfamiliar topics. The students then ask Governor Beshear about his favorite superhero, his shoe collection, his son's baseball positions, and his favorite Thanksgiving plate. Hayden shares her secret to making a great Thanksgiving turkey, emphasizing brining with citrus and basting.

Moving to the second panel, senior photographer Lacy Jones, senior lacrosse player Joey Gundolf, and senior baseball pitcher and outfielder Elijah Gorman introduce themselves. They echo the previous group's sentiment that social media, particularly TikTok and X, is their primary source for news and political information, with YouTube being less used for these topics. They note that political conversations among friends are limited, often occurring only when major events make topics more accessible or understandable, and that their generation feels overlooked and sometimes inadequately educated on complex political issues. The government shutdown was a recent topic that prompted significant discussion among them. They express concern about issues not being discussed, particularly climate change, with Elijah mentioning a TikTok video about a clock showing limited time left. They also touch upon nuclear energy as a potential alternative to fossil fuels, noting perceived misinformation surrounding it. Elijah also raises concerns about funding disparities between private and public schools. Governor Beshear shares his shoe collection size and his son's baseball activities and positions, along with his favorite baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds, recalling attending a World Series game in 1990. He also describes his approach to Thanksgiving, enjoying family gatherings and finding an escape in cooking, particularly his Thanksgiving turkey, which he prepares using a brining method with citrus and herbs, and emphasizes the importance of basting.

The conversation then turns to Governor Beshear's own senior year of high school, where he focused on building his resume for college and discovering himself, particularly through the Governor's Scholars Program and the Governor's School for the Arts, which helped him gain confidence and comfort in his own skin. He advises young people to be comfortable with who they are and to let negativity slide off, especially when using platforms like X.

The podcast then shifts to a discussion with John Rabinowitz and John McConnell. They begin by addressing the tragic shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington D.C. by an Afghan refugee, which led to a pause in refugee programs. They note that the individual had received final asylum approval earlier in the year and had reportedly worked with the CIA. While acknowledging the tragedy, they express differing views on the pause, with John Rabinowitz suggesting a review of asylum processes under the Biden administration for individuals from Afghanistan, while John McConnell emphasizes not abandoning those who assisted U.S. troops. They also discuss the training and potential dangers faced by National Guardsmen when tasked with security operations.

The discussion then moves to former President Trump's Thanksgiving message on Truth Social. They criticize his language, particularly the use of a derogatory term towards Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and his divisive rhetoric, contrasting it with the traditional purpose of a Thanksgiving address. John McConnell notes that Trump's comments may have cost him a vote in the Indiana legislature.

Next, they address activity concerning Venezuela, specifically a disputed report about Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth ordering a bombing of a boat with the intent to prevent survivors. They express concern about the optics, the denial of the report, and the need for Congress and the American people to understand the legal basis for aggressive actions. They agree on the importance of stopping drug trafficking through border security and addressing the demand side of the drug epidemic through treatment and recovery programs.

The conversation then touches upon Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales, with John McConnell humorously recounting his frustration while shopping with his daughters and wife. They also discuss nicknames, with John Rabinowitz being called "Little John" and John McConnell "Johnny Mac."

Finally, they delve into the topic of Artificial Intelligence (AI). They acknowledge its potential for both mass unemployment and solving complex diseases, emphasizing the critical importance of adapting to and regulating it. They highlight AI's advancements in medicine, such as accelerating drug development and gene mapping, and the potential for technologies like CRISPR. John Rabinowitz emphasizes the need for adaptation and mastery of AI, particularly in medicine and law, viewing it as a tool to be verified but not solely relied upon. They also discuss data centers, their need for power, their economic impact, and the importance of community partnership. They note that while data centers can increase property value and provide revenue for schools, they require careful consideration of power grid capacity and community relations. They mention that states like Virginia, Texas, and California dominate the data center market, and express hope for proper regulation to ensure AI benefits society.

The podcast concludes with Governor Beshear's "In My Kentucky Accent" segment, reflecting on Thanksgiving and President Trump's divisive rhetoric. He contrasts Trump's approach with President Lincoln's historical use of Thanksgiving as a unifying holiday. Governor Beshear expresses his gratitude for his friends, family, his role as governor, and the podcast listeners, and offers a message of thankfulness and helping others. The episode also features a segment on "Gen Z Lingo" with Will Beshear, who explains terms like "drip" and "clean," and announces the upcoming launch of the Andy Beshear Podcast merch store, featuring items with these terms.

Action Items

  • Audit news consumption: For 3-5 youth, analyze sources and identify misinformation risks (ref: social media, non-partisan sites).
  • Create communication strategy: For 2-3 government roles, define lingo and trends for youth engagement (ref: gen Z lingo, trends).
  • Track climate change impact: For 3-5 youth, document concerns and potential individual actions (ref: climate change clock, future generations).
  • Evaluate AI integration: For 2-3 professional roles, identify AI applications and ethical considerations (ref: AI in medicine, data centers).

Related Episodes

Key Quotes

"We want to make sure this is a conversation where we're using real words that have real meaning with real emotion."

The speaker, Andy Beshear, emphasizes the importance of authentic communication by advocating for the use of everyday language rather than clinical or abstract terms. Beshear argues that this approach fosters genuine connection and understanding, particularly when discussing sensitive topics like addiction or food insecurity.

"I'd say it's very overwhelming at times -- I think it sparks a lot of curiosity but I don't think that it's something that I don't have faith in and I think it's something that like I'm passionate about."

This quote from a high school student, Bianca Phoenix, reveals a complex emotional response to the current state of the world. Bianca acknowledges the overwhelming nature of global events but balances it with a sense of curiosity and a drive to remain engaged and passionate about these issues.

"I think there's a lot of bad going on in the world right now but there's also a lot of good and sometimes it's very easy to just fully focus on the bad because that's a lot of times what you see but it's important to remember that there's I like to think that there's more good people in the world than bad people."

Hayden Gagel, another student, offers a perspective on navigating the prevalence of negative news. Hayden suggests that while bad news is often more visible, it is crucial to actively remember and acknowledge the good in the world and the inherent goodness of people.

"If you were advising somebody in government or somebody running for office how to best communicate with your generation what would you suggest I would definitely suggest getting with the lingo and different trends and being funny especially if they're trying to target our audience."

Bianca Phoenix provides direct advice to political communicators on how to connect with her generation. Bianca believes that understanding and incorporating current slang and trends, along with a sense of humor, is essential for effectively reaching younger audiences.

"I would say the state that our world is in with climate change. I mean like we were just talking about the other day on TikTok I saw there's a clock in New York of how much time we have left and that really scared me."

Lacy Jones highlights climate change as a critical issue that deeply concerns her generation. Lacy expresses fear and urgency after seeing a visual representation of the limited time left to address climate change, indicating a strong desire for action.

"I think we we need to be very clear that parts of this asylum and or the the process has existed under both this president and joe biden and that trying to blame a past president for one individual decision like this doesn't help -- and i don't think is accurate."

John Rabinowitz addresses the complexities of immigration policy and political blame. Rabinowitz argues against assigning sole responsibility for immigration issues to one administration, emphasizing that such processes have evolved over time under different presidencies.

Resources

External Resources

Books

  • "The Art of War" by Sun Tzu - Mentioned as a foundational text for strategic thinking.

Articles & Papers

  • "The New York Times" - Referenced for news coverage.
  • "The Wall Street Journal" - Referenced for news coverage.
  • "The Washington Post" - Referenced for news coverage.
  • "Associated Press (AP) News" - Mentioned as a source for news.
  • "WDRB" - Mentioned as a news source.
  • "WAVE" - Mentioned as a news source.

People

  • Sun Tzu - Author of "The Art of War."
  • Abraham Lincoln - Mentioned for establishing Thanksgiving as a holiday.
  • Donald Trump - Mentioned for his Truth Social post and comments on Thanksgiving and immigration.
  • Tim Walz - Governor of Minnesota, mentioned in relation to Donald Trump's comments.
  • Pete Hegseth - Mentioned in relation to a disputed report about a kill order.
  • Will Arnett - Host of the "Smartless" podcast.
  • Sean Hayes - Co-host of the "Smartless" podcast.
  • Jason Bateman - Co-host of the "Smartless" podcast.
  • Bill Hader - Guest on the "Smartless" podcast.
  • Selena Gomez - Guest on the "Smartless" podcast.
  • Jennifer Aniston - Guest on the "Smartless" podcast.
  • David Beckham - Guest on the "Smartless" podcast.
  • Kristen Stewart - Guest on the "Smartless" podcast.
  • Martha Layne Collins - Mentioned for helping create the Governor's School for the Arts.
  • Chef Damaris Phillips - Professional baker mentioned in relation to a baking show.

Organizations & Institutions

  • Sirius XM Podcast Network - The network to which "The Andy Beshear Podcast" belongs.
  • CIA (Central Intelligence Agency) - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mentioned in the context of needing help from Afghans.
  • CISA (Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency) - Mentioned in relation to data centers.
  • NPR (National Public Radio) - Mentioned in relation to public media funding.
  • CIA - Mentioned in relation to an Afghan refugee.
  • Taliban - Mentioned in relation to Afghan refugees.
  • National Guard - Mentioned in the context of two guardsmen being shot in Washington D.C.
  • U.S. Troops - Mention

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