Alright, I ordered the hard cover, kindle, and audiobook (I had a credit for the latter).
Not sure about the title from a marketing perspective. Most people (even the sort of people who read books like this) won't understand it, and I'll bet a decent-sized minority will confuse it with kritarchy and decide that you're a raging anti-semite!
Holding off on upgrade, mostly because I'm cheap but also it feels like an attempt to buy access to a public intellectual sphere that I haven't earned.
"I am encouraging everyone to preorder now and then forget about the book until July. I’m in an interesting place in the political discourse. There are a lot of people of all opinions and outlooks who do not like me. Rather than holding back on what I think, my goal has been to become so relevant – to insert my views into public conversations in ways that smart people find compelling – that I am difficult to ignore. Having a book that sells extremely well is one of the most straightforward ways I can continue doing this. So buying Kakistocracy is voting with your wallet that you want me to be an important figure who others listen to."
This is probably the most compelling thing I have ever heard as to why I should buy a book! Preordered
this is a bit tangentially related to the end of the article here;
I recall that Scott Alexander once wrote that if you are a relative moderate, then you should brand yourself as a conservative because you'll make a bigger impact there as a result of the lack of talent on the right, the Federalist society is desperate for members, conservative judges are desperate for clerks with a modicum of talent
This seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy. We can't have this sort of fatalism in a two-party system. A two-party system with one party broken is like a bicycle with one wheel broken.
Instead of telling people to be dishonest, you could just tell them to stay silent on issues that seem unwinnable, unless they spot an opportunity in terms of shifting political momentum.
Furthermore I think you are discounting the possibility that some smart people might genuinely disagree with you. JD graduated from Yale Law and worked as a VC, about as EHC as you get, but didn't you claim just a few days ago that you thought his opposition to immigration was genuine?
It's not "elite" to simply accuse anyone who disagrees with you of stupidity. Wish you would do that a bit less.
Vance’s current views on these issues don’t line up with arguments he made previously in Elegy or what he’s said about Trump previously, which is why people view him as being dishonest.
The most parsimonious explanation is that he is dishonest, which would he in line with the evidence and also our priors about politician’s behavior.
Congratulations on the book! I have pre-ordered it.
Today in the news, Trump has used the pre-text of the Brown shooting to halt the diversity immigration lottery. Also, Bernie Sanders has called for a moratorium on building new data centers.
Anybody can see the country needs the Democrats to succeed in 2026 to check Trump's slide and there are plenty of center-left purple state governors who would be a better President than almost any plausible Republican. Good luck in supporting them. But realistically, if we're going to be choosing between JD and a left-wing DSA type, the choice will be easy (though unpleasant).
Will order the book. I wonder if you think Trump having RFK/anti vax in his coalition is worse than the democrats having trans-stuff. Both seem equally bad, though trans stuff seems more deranged while anti vax has more potential for truly large scale harm (though I'm not sure RFK or Trump are as anti vax as the Democrats are pro trans)
Ive often wondered if your goal with your writing is to stay relevant, after having struck gold once. Guess i wasnt far off the mark.
July? I think ill wait and see. Theres a lot of books to read, and who knows if yours will still be *relevant* after such a span of time.
Tis a good pitch though. I particularly like your stroking of the readers ego, like this..
"is deeply appreciated by the most thoughtful people across the ideological spectrum"
Oh is that me? Am i part of the most thoughtful? I must be, im reading this!
Nice.. and i imagine it works on those "thoughtful people".
"if that’s all you can afford."
And a little classic negging! Excellent way to try to clinch the deal.
I havent made up my mind about you yet. I do agree that youre very honest in conveying your thoughts, but i also find you a bit too plastic, and that makes me think your real goal is remaining "relevant" to collect that cheddar. I think ill keep my money for now(though i almost bought a subscription just to find out what your dating advice looks like lol).
Btw, where did you land on how much ai does your writing? I remember you suggested we should pay to ensure we're getting the genuine article, as it were. Are we poor shlubs just getting the ai slop, or is it more like "RH, enhanced by ai"?
Even better though would be a free signed copy to paid yearly subscribers or something similar. (Only if it's fifty bucks or so, I haven't checked). Any possibility of that?
No, I'm not becoming a founding member, I have a mortgage to pay.
Richard, what I love about you and your Substack is that you are like what (smart) conservatives used to be. You're a bit cranky, and very contrarian, but you have good ideas - a bit like a younger more intellectual Ron Swanson. You're sometimes right and sometimes wrong, but you're generally always worth a listen. I've been missing this from my political life for what feels like a long time.
Since the late 2010's, other than the various liberal-types, there seems to be nobody out there but noxious Trump enablers. It's been a litmus test for me that I generally don't listen to anyone who won't admit that the emperor has no clothes. You admitted to this openly and brazenly - which is I suppose is a kind of liberal version of the based ritual.
I can't afford the top tier, but I am a long time paid subscriber, and I have preordered the new book. What do you plan to offer regular paid subscribers next year?
I agree with the other commenter on the book title. Also, the cover is boring. It should have some politicians and public figures on there to get people to actually buy it.
Alright, I ordered the hard cover, kindle, and audiobook (I had a credit for the latter).
Not sure about the title from a marketing perspective. Most people (even the sort of people who read books like this) won't understand it, and I'll bet a decent-sized minority will confuse it with kritarchy and decide that you're a raging anti-semite!
Holding off on upgrade, mostly because I'm cheap but also it feels like an attempt to buy access to a public intellectual sphere that I haven't earned.
"I am encouraging everyone to preorder now and then forget about the book until July. I’m in an interesting place in the political discourse. There are a lot of people of all opinions and outlooks who do not like me. Rather than holding back on what I think, my goal has been to become so relevant – to insert my views into public conversations in ways that smart people find compelling – that I am difficult to ignore. Having a book that sells extremely well is one of the most straightforward ways I can continue doing this. So buying Kakistocracy is voting with your wallet that you want me to be an important figure who others listen to."
This is probably the most compelling thing I have ever heard as to why I should buy a book! Preordered
this is a bit tangentially related to the end of the article here;
I recall that Scott Alexander once wrote that if you are a relative moderate, then you should brand yourself as a conservative because you'll make a bigger impact there as a result of the lack of talent on the right, the Federalist society is desperate for members, conservative judges are desperate for clerks with a modicum of talent
Do you think that dictum still applies?
It's gotten so bad that being smart is now a hinderance, unless you're very dishonest.
This seems like a self-fulfilling prophecy. We can't have this sort of fatalism in a two-party system. A two-party system with one party broken is like a bicycle with one wheel broken.
Instead of telling people to be dishonest, you could just tell them to stay silent on issues that seem unwinnable, unless they spot an opportunity in terms of shifting political momentum.
Furthermore I think you are discounting the possibility that some smart people might genuinely disagree with you. JD graduated from Yale Law and worked as a VC, about as EHC as you get, but didn't you claim just a few days ago that you thought his opposition to immigration was genuine?
It's not "elite" to simply accuse anyone who disagrees with you of stupidity. Wish you would do that a bit less.
Vance’s current views on these issues don’t line up with arguments he made previously in Elegy or what he’s said about Trump previously, which is why people view him as being dishonest.
The most parsimonious explanation is that he is dishonest, which would he in line with the evidence and also our priors about politician’s behavior.
You're one of my favorite authors on Substack, and I can't wait to read your new book and whatever else you have in store for 2026.
Congratulations on the book! I have pre-ordered it.
Today in the news, Trump has used the pre-text of the Brown shooting to halt the diversity immigration lottery. Also, Bernie Sanders has called for a moratorium on building new data centers.
Anybody can see the country needs the Democrats to succeed in 2026 to check Trump's slide and there are plenty of center-left purple state governors who would be a better President than almost any plausible Republican. Good luck in supporting them. But realistically, if we're going to be choosing between JD and a left-wing DSA type, the choice will be easy (though unpleasant).
You are also incredibly humble, which is very impressive alongside all your other accomplishments.
But seriously, your articles are the ones I'm always most looking forward to read next to Scott Alexanders'.
same!
Will order the book. I wonder if you think Trump having RFK/anti vax in his coalition is worse than the democrats having trans-stuff. Both seem equally bad, though trans stuff seems more deranged while anti vax has more potential for truly large scale harm (though I'm not sure RFK or Trump are as anti vax as the Democrats are pro trans)
I will make my girlfriend buy this for me. Thank you Richard.
"my goal has been to become so relevant"
Ive often wondered if your goal with your writing is to stay relevant, after having struck gold once. Guess i wasnt far off the mark.
July? I think ill wait and see. Theres a lot of books to read, and who knows if yours will still be *relevant* after such a span of time.
Tis a good pitch though. I particularly like your stroking of the readers ego, like this..
"is deeply appreciated by the most thoughtful people across the ideological spectrum"
Oh is that me? Am i part of the most thoughtful? I must be, im reading this!
Nice.. and i imagine it works on those "thoughtful people".
"if that’s all you can afford."
And a little classic negging! Excellent way to try to clinch the deal.
I havent made up my mind about you yet. I do agree that youre very honest in conveying your thoughts, but i also find you a bit too plastic, and that makes me think your real goal is remaining "relevant" to collect that cheddar. I think ill keep my money for now(though i almost bought a subscription just to find out what your dating advice looks like lol).
Btw, where did you land on how much ai does your writing? I remember you suggested we should pay to ensure we're getting the genuine article, as it were. Are we poor shlubs just getting the ai slop, or is it more like "RH, enhanced by ai"?
I kid, i kid! Twas a well crafted pitch
Dude shut the fuck up
Lol no. But thanks for reading!
Congrats on the book, looking forward to it!
Hi, I would love to preorder the book.
Even better though would be a free signed copy to paid yearly subscribers or something similar. (Only if it's fifty bucks or so, I haven't checked). Any possibility of that?
No, I'm not becoming a founding member, I have a mortgage to pay.
Richard, what I love about you and your Substack is that you are like what (smart) conservatives used to be. You're a bit cranky, and very contrarian, but you have good ideas - a bit like a younger more intellectual Ron Swanson. You're sometimes right and sometimes wrong, but you're generally always worth a listen. I've been missing this from my political life for what feels like a long time.
Since the late 2010's, other than the various liberal-types, there seems to be nobody out there but noxious Trump enablers. It's been a litmus test for me that I generally don't listen to anyone who won't admit that the emperor has no clothes. You admitted to this openly and brazenly - which is I suppose is a kind of liberal version of the based ritual.
Will certainly look into this new book.
New short story about prediction markets https://nimnim1.substack.com/p/poly-hell
I can't afford the top tier, but I am a long time paid subscriber, and I have preordered the new book. What do you plan to offer regular paid subscribers next year?
Pre-ordered. I learn a lot from you.
I agree with the other commenter on the book title. Also, the cover is boring. It should have some politicians and public figures on there to get people to actually buy it.