A Fine Old Conflict: Recent Episodes
Matthew and Jason
Cultural and political commentary from Matthew in France and Jason in Texas; two old comrades reflecting on the world and reckoning on what to do about it.
Jason and Matthew are again joined by Chris from The Regrettable Century to discuss the aftermath of the first round of voting in the French 2022 election. Part 2 of 3.
Jason and Matthew are joined by Chris from the Regrettable Century Podcast to discuss Jean-Luc Mélenchon, his electoral strategy, and the lead up to the first round of the Presidential election in France. Part one of three.
War has returned to Europe. Arms deals, lackluster diplomacy, and above all a failed capitalist model in Eastern Europe have ignited into a conflagration that is threatening the world. Two anti-war activists give their take on the war and its causes and describe its impact in the United States and Europe. Recording respectively from Corpus Christie, Tx and Paris, France, Jason and Matthew return to AFOC to discuss the Vladimir Putin's attack on Ukraine.
Notes:
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/feb/27/vladimir-putin-russia-ukraine-power
Correction: Only three elected representatives from the Communist Party of the Russian Federation condemned the war, not the whole party.
Matthew and Jason are joined again by Chris from the Regrettable Century podcast to wrap up our discussion on pop-culture. Discussed: television and film with particular attention to the horror genre. Is art impossible in our moment? We don't know and that's the point. Enjoy.
Fischer, Ernst The Necessity of Art Brooklyn NY, London, Verso, 2010
Game of Thrones
The Godfather
Hereditary
The Lighthouse
Midsommar
Star Wars
The Witch
Death Wish
We're back for a second season as Matthew and Jason are joined by a special guest to discuss the pleasures and pitfalls of popular culture. Discussed: sports, music, television and film.
Jason and Matthew exhale some exhaust from the Culture Wars, discussing Cultural Marxism, social media as the new heights of bourgeois rule, and how not to talk to people.
Cut of from the world by the pandemic, Jason and Matthew address other issues that they are in no position to change in a second consideration of the legacy of Stalin and the state socialist governments.
Jason and Matthew explore their own "thaw" on Stalinism and reflect on the consequences of 1989.
Stop calling it fascism and stop talking to the FBI. Matthew and Jason square up the alt-right scene.
One week following the US 2020 election Jason and Matthew discuss the unsettling consequences of an uncertain election.
Jason and Matthew try to figure out what happened on election night and reflect back on the Bernie Sanders campaign.