Was David Bowie the connective tissue keeping our universe from falling apart? To journalist and professor of public policy Andrew Potter it certainly seemed that way.  Syria, the Zika virus, terrorist attacks in Brussels and Nice, the Brexit vote—and the election of Donald Trump - no wonder 2016 was declared 'the worst year ever'. But in only five years, we've seen even bigger attacks to the social contract.

In On Decline: Stagnation, Nostalgia, and Why Every Year is the Worst One Ever, Potter mulls over the idea that perhaps the end of society isn’t one big event, but a long series of smaller ones and asks if perhaps reason, logic and scientific evidence have outlived their use in our modern society.

Andrew Potter shares his new book On Decline with host Karim Bardeesy and discusses the devastating effects of cultural nostalgia and the havoc wreaked by social media on public discourse.

Author photo courtesy of Bruno Schlumberger.

This event is part of our On Civil Society series.

Generously supported in part by Chris M. Reid

Toronto Public Library is committed to accessibility. Please call or email us if you are Deaf or have a disability and would like to request accommodation to participate in this program. Please let us know as far in advance as possible and we will do our best to meet your request. At least three weeks notice is preferred. Phone 416-393-7099 or email accessibleservices@tpl.ca

Andrew Potter: On Decline