Former Vice President Al Gore expressed sadness about the rise of 'artificial insanity' affecting U.S. democracy while speaking at the funeral of his former presidential running mate, former Sen. Joe Lieberman’s (D-Conn.)
While giving condolences for Lieberman’s death on Wednesday, Gore on Friday talked about the “rancor” dividing the country and how his former running mate’s life can demonstrate how to overcome it.
Gore stated at the ceremony in Lieberman’s hometown of Stamford, Conn. that the popular rabbit holes on the internet have slippery sides that lead people into the echo chamber. Spending enough time in the echo chamber causes a new form of AI, artificial insanity.
He explained that this is not just meant as a joke but is a reference to Q-anon, election denial, climate denial, and even the resurgence of the Flat Earth Society. He added that this form of rancor could divide the country, but there are strong common beliefs and values that are stronger than what divides us.
The former vice president then pointed out Lieberman’s approach to public service and highlighted how the former senator’s independent nature could show a path to bridging the polarization in today’s society.
He mentioned that he and Lieberman had also faced deep divisions in their relationship and that Lieberman was willing to mend the relationship after they grew apart following their significant loss in the 2000 election to the Republican Bush-Cheney ticket.
Gore said, “We can learn from Joe Lieberman’s life some important lessons about how we might quash the rancor in our nation today. Friendship over anger, reconciliation as a form of grace.”
“Politics can be a rough trade. As a recovering politician, I can certainly testify to that,” Gore said. “The stakes are high. Pressures are great. Joe and I faced those. But he always knew the true value of things. I saw him ready to repair friendships that had been damaged by disagreements. Ready to find ways to bridge divisions, ready to seek reconciliation, and ready to stand for his principles always, even when that independence left him open to partisan anger from both sides.”
“We are all living through a time when that kind of willingness to disagree without disrespect and debate without seeking to destroy has become for many harder to find,” Gore added.
Lieberman, who was the first Jewish vice-presidential candidate of a major party, died on Wednesday in New York City after suffering complications from a fall.
Gore also recounted how their relationship deepened during the 2000 campaign, which ended in a loss with a controversial Supreme Court decision more than a month after the election.
“We laughed together, fought like hell together for what we wanted our country to be, prayed together, thought for a season we had won together. But well, you know that part of the story — you win some, you lose some and then there’s that little known third category.”
