What’s behind the decline in trust of our institutions?

The Ethical Life

Episode 165: Hosts Richard Kyte and Scott Rada discuss the troubling decline of trust in American institutions. From government and science to religion and media, public faith in once-revered pillars of society has plummeted in recent years.

Kyte attributes this crisis to reduced interdependence and collaboration among citizens. "We don't depend on other people in the course of our daily lives nearly as much as previous generations did," he said. "We've lost the habit of working together."

This erosion of casual, face-to-face interactions has fueled a growing cynicism, with many Americans increasingly distrustful of experts and authority figures.

The hosts also examine the role of media, noting how a "mean world syndrome" — a focus on negative news — can contribute to a sense of despair and distrust.

"Media's focus on bad news creates a sense of despair and distrust in the world," Kyte said.

Kyte also distinguishes between healthy skepticism, which questions knowledge claims, and destructive cynicism, which stems from a negative view of human nature. He advocates for cultivating hope — a belief in the fundamental goodness of people.

About the hosts

Scott Rada is a digital strategist with Lee Enterprises, and Richard Kyte is the director of the D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership at Viterbo University in La Crosse, Wisconsin. He is also the author of "Finding Your Third Place: Building Happier Communities (and Making Great Friends Along the Way)."