John Dickerson

John Dickerson is co-anchor of "CBS Evening News" and anchor of "CBS Evening News Plus." He is also a Contributing Writer to The Atlantic and is co-host of the Slate Political Gabfest.

  • 12/07/2023: Is enforced loyalty a good recipe for achievement?

    User

    You: What is the historical record of operations founded on loyalty where the person to whom everyone must show loyalty has a record of almost no reciprocal loyalty?
    ChatGPT:

    The historical record of operations or regimes founded on loyalty to a central figure who does not reciprocate that loyalty is marked by instability and often, eventual collapse or transformation. The lack of reciprocal loyalty often leads to disillusionment and disenchantment among the loyal subjects or followers, which can undermine the authority of the central figure.

    Historical examples include various autocratic rulers who demanded unwavering loyalty from their subjects but were notorious for purging even their most loyal supporters on suspicions of disloyalty or to consolidate power. For instance, Joseph Stalin’s reign in the Soviet Union was characterized by the requirement of absolute loyalty to his person, yet he frequently engaged in purges of the Communist Party and the military, removing those who were deemed untrustworthy or too powerful, regardless of their previous loyalty to him.

    Similarly, in feudal societies, lords demanded loyalty from their vassals, but their support might not be guaranteed; a lord could easily replace vassals or fail to support them in times of need, leading to frequent shifts in alliances and power dynamics.

    In the context of modern corporate operations or political campaigns, a leader who does not show loyalty to their team members may find it difficult to maintain a cohesive and motivated group, often leading to high turnover, leaks, and a toxic culture. The lack of trust and support can be detrimental to the effectiveness and longevity of the operation.

    Ultimately, operations founded on one-sided loyalty often face significant challenges, as reciprocal loyalty is a key component in building and maintaining trust, cohesion, and stability. Without it, the foundation is likely to erode over time, leading to potential rebellion, turnover, or systemic change.

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  • 03/01/2023: New words from Dictionary.com that I like

    rage farming noun. Informal. the tactic of intentionally provoking political opponents, typically by posting inflammatory content on social media, in order to elicit angry responses and thus high engagement or widespread exposure for the original poster. 📝 This term was coined in 2022 (in the form rage farmed) by investigative reporter John Scott-Railton. Read about some other terms for […]
  • 02/27/2023: How to solve the work week.

    From Business Insider: “I do ‘Bare Minimum Mondays’ at work.” The TikTok creator and startup founder Marisa Jo Mayes says it helps her beat the “Sunday scaries” and avoid burnout — and it has completely changed her life. Find out more. If enough TikTok influencers can work really hard to brand not working at all […]
  • 02/25/2023: We Still Smoke the Water Pipe

    I found a quote in one of my notebooks from the second year of the Iraq war (3/20/2005). “Life goes on,” Hayawi says. “We are in the middle of a war, and we still smoke the water pipe.” This feels like a universal message to me. After some work in the shop with the search […]
  • 02/25/2023: A Conversation with Tim Frye on what's changed since the invasion of Ukraine

    I talked to Timothy Frye, the Marshall D. Shulman professor of post-Soviet foreign policy at Columbia University, for “CBS News Prime Time” about how Russia’s war in Ukraine has changed global energy, the economy and politics.    
  • 01/08/2023: House GOP Learned How to Govern

  • 12/14/2022: Did someone have inside information?

    60 seconds before CPI number came out there was significant trading activity: Bloomberg thinks someone got the news!
  • 12/14/2022: Reality and columnists are two different things.

    “The world is much worse than it would have been had the virus not emerged, and that’s not the fault of columnists you disagree with.” Matt Yglesias.
  • 12/13/2022: Spies Just like us.

    The Ruskies next door. Our story on it on CBS News Prime Time can be found here.
  • 12/13/2022: Sam Bankman Fried not instilling confidence.

    “Like I, like, kind of vaguely knew, kind of, sort of maybe, um, on a qualitative level what was going on.” — Sam Bankman Fried on Unusual Whales podcast on movement of customer funds from FTX to Alameda without permission. via Dealbook
  • 01/01/1970: Meetings can be a black hole that sucks your soul from your body. Priya Parker describes how to make them more intentional.

    I have long been obsessed with intention in even the mundane tasks in life. Priya Parker has put intention into gatherings and meetings. I talked to her about her book and her ideas on Prime Time 3/16/23 as a part of our shifting workplace special. We wanted to talk to her because if the workplace […]