Braver Angels Film Club: "Who Is Government?"

Film Club Topic:
We choose films that address social, political or cultural issues that are relevant to society today. They may highlight liberal-leaning, conservative-leaning or independent themes, or feature actors or directors from opposite sides of the political spectrum. Note that the discussion of this film and its inclusion on the Braver Angels website does not imply promotion of the subject matter or the persons involved in the creation of the film.

Our May discussion subject is a 1 hour, 20 minute interview by Jon Stewart on 'The Weekly Show' of Michael Lewis on his new book "Who is Government?". To see the interview, go to - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=79_n1FKZwHo

To put together "Who is Government?", Michael Lewis invited his favorite writers, including Casey Cep, Dave Eggers, John Lanchester, Geraldine Brooks, Sarah Vowell, and W. Kamau Bell, to join him in finding someone doing an interesting job for the government and writing about them. The stories they found include a former coal miner devoted to making mine roofs less likely to collapse; an IRS agent straight out of a crime thriller; and the manager who made the National Cemetery Administration the best-run organization in the entire country. Whether they’re digitizing archives, chasing down cybercriminals, or discovering new planets, these public servants are committed to their work and universally reluctant to take credit. These vivid profiles blow up the stereotype of the irrelevant bureaucrat, and they show how the essential business of government makes our lives possible, and how much it matters.

Some of the issues we will explore include the often negative view of federal workers and experts generally, whether humanizing such workers is needed, and how to overcome distrust of government.

Be sure to watch the video before we meet on Zoom to discuss it!

About the Author:
Michael Lewis is a journalist and bestselling author, known for his books on topics ranging from politics to Wall Street. His most recent works include Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon (2023), The Premonition: A Pandemic Story (2021), The Fifth Risk (2018), and The Undoing Project: A Friendship That Changed Our Minds (2016). His books, The Big Short (2010), The Blind Side (2006), and Moneyball (2003), were adapted into blockbuster films. He is the creator and host of the podcast 'Against the Rules'.

Registering for the Online Event:
This is a FREE event; although you'll need to register to get the Zoom link. Go to the following link & fill out the registration form, and when you hit "register" you'll receive an email with a link to the Zoom meeting (check your Junk folder if you don't see it):
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/national-film-club-discussion-of-who-is-government-by-michael-lewis-registration-1339183938209?aff=oddtdtcreator&discount=BRAVER

Who is the Organizer for this Event?
Questions? Contact Ivan Kaisan at seamountain.m115@gmail.com

What is "Braver Angels"?
Formerly known as "Better Angels", Braver Angels is an organization founded in 2016 to depolarize American politics through grassroots organizing. They do this primarily by hosting events for cross-partisan dialogue & civil debate. To learn more, go to https://braverangels.org/