2024-01-17
Just perfect
Incredible work… 👏👏
Updating
Description
If you've ever yelled at someone on social media about, say, cancel culture or mask-wearing, then you are a soldier in the culture wars - those everyday battles for dominance between conflicting values. The acclaimed writer and podcaster Jon Ronson has seen friends swallowed up in them to the extent that it's ruined their lives. Jon was curious to learn how things fell apart, and so he went back into the history of the culture wars to find some of the origin stories: the pebbles thrown in the pond, creating the ripples that led us to where we are today. He had no idea what he'd find, but he's uncovered some extraordinary people and the strangest, yet most consequential tales.
Apple Podcasts: Customer Reviews
2024-01-16
Finally somewhere to direct the miss directed
A calm steward directing you to intellectual safety through various societal brain crashes.
2024-01-11
Thoughtful, Objective, Insightful, Intelligent
The best podcast on the internet. Jon Ronson should win all the awards for this. (Sorry Louis Theroux…you don’t even come close.)
2024-01-11
So good
So enthralling. I was gutted when I reached the end of the last episode.
2024-01-10
Brilliant
I hadn’t heard of Jon Ronson prior to season one of Things Fell Apart! Both series have had me hooked and Jon Brilliantly knits together the threads of each episode. Great listen and thought Proviking
2024-01-09
Superb
Season 2 is excellent from start to finish, hope there is more to come and this reaches as wide an audience as possible five star Jon Ronson a must listen. Thank you.
2024-01-08
Fascinating listen
Jon Ronson is just wonderful (yes Jon you are better than Theroux).
This pod brilliantly deconstructs the culture wars and reassembles in a narrative that is gripping, accessible and in some parts very moving.
Highly recommended.
2024-01-03
Excited about Season 2
I loved S1 and S2 sounds like it will be even better with Jon telling the stories which reveal how culture wars were manufactured during Covid lockdown times. I will probably download and binge listen as soon as they are available in the 9 Jan. More power to JR!
2023-07-08
Fascinating output as always
…but essential listening too. So essential in fact that I’ve found myself posting links to episodes quite often. This podcast tells aspects of culture wars often little known by those affected. And, I know this isn’t as important, but I adore the music! A rare combination of the vital and enjoyable - thank you Jon.
2023-06-14
Same old BBC
When will these professional lefties learn they are no better than the right. They are both two sides of the same filth covered coin and in the middle the balanced sensible people exist scratching our heads.
2022-12-10
Jon Ronson,the storyteller of our time.
Beautiful, surprising, kind and funny. Made me laugh cry and frightened the life out of me.
2022-11-17
Impartial isn’t morally superior
Wanted to love it. Enjoyed first two episodes but I really dislike the idea that he seems to pedal that we should all stop fighting and just get on an be nice to each other, that there are two sides to every story etc. That is fine when you debate Brexit, hobbies, abortion etc. It should NEVER be about people’s identity. Race, gender, sexuality. Body ability, mental health etc etc these things shouldn’t be debated, shouldn’t be seen as having two sides. There is no balanced two sides to race, trans, equal marraige “ debate “
Etc. There is oppression against minority groups and the idea that people are just filled with anger and hate when actually they are just trying to fight for their right to live equally, freely and in peace.
It felt uncomfortable to hear Jon appear to take a faux moral highground of impartiality and “ let’s all just get on” toxic positivity. Impartiality in the facd of oppression isn’t a good look personally or good for society. Was so disappointed as I just wanted go love it.
2022-06-13
Fantastic
Brilliant as ever from Jon Ronson. So well thought out and clearly explained. Love his interviewing technique and the way he speaks with a hint of humour no matter the topic.
2022-04-28
Brilliant
I’ve loved all Jon’s books and this podcast is no exception. I love his interview style and the narrative of each episode is so compelling with great characters in each episode (even though you don’t agree with them all)
2022-03-30
A Triumph
Jon articulately introduces the culture wars in a compelling and balanced way, the stories told have exposed some of my own biases and left me conflicted on certain issues. A clear voice amongst a cacophony of outrage.
2022-03-25
Clarity
Quite brilliant- questioning and honest. This is how we arrived at an absurd position.
2022-03-16
Great stories and very well presented
Thank you for bringing these stories to our attention. Please, please make another series 🙏🏼
2022-03-16
Gripping
Moving, informative and really gripping. I really hope that there is a following series. Thanks for a great podcast.
2022-03-09
Brilliant
Just brilliant I hope there is another season to come
2022-03-06
Things fell apart
Fascinating everyone needs to listen to this podcast
2022-02-25
Highly recommended.
So good.
2022-02-17
Brilliantly handled topics of our age
Thoroughly recommend this series. Well done to all who created such an informative take on why culture wars are happening and providing the glimmer of a resolution - connection not division.
2022-02-09
Fantastic
Another amazing piece of work by Jon Ronson. Thanks for your curious approach to life and for sharing it!
2022-01-28
Brilliant
Great podcast, very well put together, really makes you think 🤔
2022-01-28
Could not stop listening
Thank you Jon for this podcast. Absolutely captivating- I listened to the every episode in a day and was mesmerised by the stories and the outcome of each episode. Outstanding.
2022-01-27
Focussed on America
The intro to the show is mostly British soundbites but the entire series is based on US culture wars. Shame it couldn’t include the UK or other places.
2022-01-26
The soothing voice of reason
I LOVE Jon Ronson. I find his soft voice and rational, thorough investigations of controversial topics both reassuring and enjoyably provocative at the same time. As a child of the eighties, I remember some of these stories so it’s doubly fascinating. The ripple effects of seemingly innocuous events are quite alarming. An excellent series.
If you’ve not heard The Last Days of August or the Butterfly Effect, go and listen to them once you’ve exhausted this series.
2022-01-25
A rare, sensible, thoughtful voice
Jon is a rare, sensible, thoughtful voice in a world of social media shaming and bandwagon jumping. This series is highly recommend. The theme music is also excellent.
2022-01-19
Great series. Needed antidote to all the shouting.
Jon has produced a really good series. It is full of thoughtful commentary and interviews. His retelling of these stories is empathetic and non judgemental and I found some solace in hearing that most of the participants in the culture wars are just normal people in extraordinary times. More please.
2022-01-10
The greatest storyteller…
Listened to this before Apple release on BBC Sounds. No one tells a peculiar story quite like Jon, the extent of his research is also clear with this production. Very few podcasts have this wholesome feel now. Thank you Jon Ronson!
2022-01-08
The podcast of 2021.
I’ve already listened to this incredible series on BBC Sounds. Each episode gives a forensic look at how culture wars and conspiracy theories start and how they can be deadly and dangerous. It’s outstanding.
2022-01-08
Brilliant, Balanced, Important
I’ve loved this series which has provided a trademark Ronson thoughtful, reflective, deep-dive into the origins of various divisions on social media and in society. Particularly uplifting is episode 3 which provides a glimmer of hope for healing apparently irreconcilable differences when kind and open-hearted individuals connect. Some very impressive heavy-hitters who have been, often unwittingly, pivotal in triggering culture wars and others who have tried to bridge the divide are lined up to tell their fascinating stories. Not sure why I can find only the intro on podcasts app but whole series on BBC sounds is definitely worth your time.