I was delighted to speak with
about Wikipedia corruption, cultural renewal, Mormonism, furries, generational issues, and more. It all makes sense if you listen!I apologize: The audio quality isn’t great due to connectivity issues — but the quality of Tracing’s remarks more than makes up for it.
“Trace,” as many call him, is one of the most interesting thinkers I’ve met in recent years. He and I are both gay and ex-Mormon, so it was fun to dive into his views on religion, Mormon culture, and how institutions can recreate the good aspects of Mormonism.
Trace is a well-known chronicler of Internet culture. Last week he broke a blockbuster investigative story on the corruption of Wikipedia editing by one of its admins. Previously, he worked for the Blocked and Reported podcast hosted by
and where he contributed to number of other big stories on Internet culture.Trace grew up in Utah, went on a Mormon mission, and served in the Air Force for six years as a Chinese linguist. He’s married to a man and is attending law school. He considers himself an agnostic/atheist but still hungers for a secular religion that doesn’t yet exit. I explore this tension and much more.
Enjoy the conversation!
We discuss
Wikipedia’s editing process and the response to his article
The furry subculture and his relationship to it
His self-doxxing and identity, and what that’s been like
How to recreate the good aspects of Mormon culture, like volunteerism
The challenges of building a new religion to push back against progressivism
His thoughts on building secular institutions
The need for normative moral frames
His ecological perspective on religion
Understanding liberalism as a peace treaty, not as a replacement of the good
“Choosing the right” in general and as a gay man
How he thinks about liberation and normative frames
His value on excellence
How to be nice and decent, and also direct and unafraid
The decline of institutions and other challenges younger generations face
What he wishes older generations would appreciate
Having kids and building a family
Links to check out
Trace’s article, “Reliable Sources: How Wikipedia Admin David Gerard Launders His Grudges Into the Public Record”
Trace’s video conversation with
Trace’s podcast with
(paywalled) - “Mormonism and Neopets”Trace’s podcast with
(paywalled) - “Towards a Gay Ex-Mormon Furry Centrism”Trace’s podcast with Aaron Rabinowitz - “Tracking in Schools”
Trace’s podcast with Zach Groshell - “Student Loan Forgiveness, Tracking, and Internet Garbage”
Trace’s video conservation with
- “The Burden and Delight of Carving Your Own Path”
Tracing Woodgrains: Wikipedia corruption, secular morality, and cultural renewal