How We See Things: Recent Episodes
Dan Stark & Statesman X
This is a platform for reasoned and open conversation. Dan Stark and Statesman X are two guys, trying to make sense of the world in which they reside from a metaphorical soapbox and with the help of the audience.
The guys give their reactions to the escalating conflict in the Middle East as evidenced by Iranian missile strikes which Israel successfully fended off. This should ostensibly be the end of it, but given the arch of history, it likely is not. Somehow the conversation meanders to a discussion of Bobrisky's arrest for "Naira Mutilation" and eventually the beef brewing in the Rap Game between Kendrick, Drake and everyone else.
The guys give their thoughts on Dune 2 as a movie and as a social commentary on messianic religions, eugenics, and social responsibility. As you might have guessed, it turns into a discussion of the Israel/Palestine conflict.
The guys are back! FWIW maybe they sound a little rusty, definitely more rusty than Joe Biden, who had a strong showing at the State of The Union speech last week. They discuss US and UK politics and the outlook for minority political power.
The guys asked themselves hard questions about the distinction between 'Hamas', everyday 'Palestinians' and the legitimacy of armed resistance. Finally, Statesman X comes up with a solution for the Israel - Palestine conflict thereby throwing his hat in for president of the world.
The guys discuss probably the most complicated issue to ever plague our species; the Israel - Palestine conflict. They have a meta-conversation about media narratives then segue into a philosophical and realistic conversation about extremism and the material issues on the ground.
The guys have a special guest! Mike joins the guys to discuss (read defend) Tinubu and the APC mandate. They spend the first half talking about the Certificate Issue and then segue into an international relations conversation about the attack in Israel, the geopolitical ramifications, and Nigerias role in international affairs. It's a fun episode!
The guys discuss the death of Mohbad and give their reactions to the reactions. They discuss the circumstances surrounding his death and the way Nigerians have responded, they then segue into a philosophical discussion about protests and strategy. Somewhere along the line, Dan suggests he'd volunteer Statesman X as the supreme leader of Nigeria.
The guys meander (masterfully) through a variety of topics, from Elon Musk to Russel Brand, to Rema at the VMAs and dogs.
The guys discuss the gymnastics deployed by the election tribunal in order to reject the claims made by the LP and PDP. The PEPT thinks you're stupid, Statesman and Dan don't, so they treat you like an adult and get into the philosophical weeds about what such shoddy reasoning says about the state of affairs. As always, the argument gets around to political tactics and the best path forward.
The guys casually discuss the opening 4 games of this premier league season and then masterfully segway into a follow-up discussion about the Coups in West Africa. The running theme is that the online commentary is silly and people need to calm down/think better/more critically.
The guys brought a Twitter debate to the pod and went back and forth about the controversy (supposed) surrounding Burna Boy's album release and the negative sentiments Nigerians (some) have towards him. Statesman X has his cape on but he still manages to dismantle the opposing arguments (you be the judge).
The guys get into a fiery debate about Nigeria's role in the conflicts roiling West Africa. They explore the philosophical roots of statehood and popular support and how these concepts apply to Nigeria and Africa at large. Dan thinks we should be hesitant to interfere - especially militarily - with the conflict in Niger, but the Statesman doesn't think we have a choice. This one gets Spicy.
The guys discuss the succession of coups in West Africa and debate the national and geopolitics of the situation.
The guys discuss the effort by the newly installed Tinubu administration to create the impression that they've been hard at work. They wade into the weeds with some of Tinubu's recently announced policies, and his coverage in the foreign press, then pivot to a head of state who isn't having a good moment in the spotlight; Vladimir Putin. The Russian president appeared to be facing a coup and international observers can't seem to make sense of what just happened in Russia. The good thing is the guys can (or try to).
The guys meander through a wide-ranging discussion, but spend most of the time discussing the removal of the fuel subsidy in Nigeria; the policy itself and the fallout.
The guys discuss the inauguration of Tinubu as Nigeria's new president (can you believe it?) and the narratives emerging from it. The conversation - as usual - devolves into a debate about political tactics. They then segue into a discussion about Hilda Baci and her attempt to break a Guinness World Record. They explore the narratives that evolved and the misogyny latent in Nigerian society.
The guys discuss the coronation of King Charles and the Monarchy. There's a balance to be found between engendering national unity/positivity and endorsing the chief colonizers. They then Segue into a discussion about public safety and the manslaughter of Jordan Neely in New York. If well-meaning people can't make the public feel safe, the public will turn to fascists or demagogues for solutions.
The guys discuss social dynamics that have resulted in an explosion of people who identify as non-cisgender/heterosexual. For some, increased tolerance has led to increased freedom to live your truth, for others, a sort of social contagion is responsible and they see evidence of this in the content on TV, social media, pop culture, and the militant behavior of some people on social media. This is one of the third rail conversations in our society and the guys do their best to approach the conversation with respect.
Back from a break, the guys discuss the mega defamation settlement secured by Dominion in their lawsuit against Fox. They also discuss a counter-example of defamation in Nigeria and then segue into a conversation about technology, AI, and its risks before wading into deep existential weeds when they discuss the violence that has broken out in Sudan.
The guys discuss the indictment of trump and the prudential considerations required of law enforcement when pursuing criminal charges of a politician. They then segue into a discussion of the charges being leveled against Peter Obi and labor party by APC and their state agents. The pun is very intended here.
The guys give their opinions on a broad range of issues. Most of their time is spent discussing the fallout of the elections in Nigeria but they find time to talk about drama at the Oscars, Jonathan Majors, Tik Tok possibly being banned and the protests in France.
Fela used some colorful terms to describe the nature of Nigeria's political system. In the aftermath of the 1983 elections which he described as 'Babanla nonsense', Fela went on to tag what was going on in Nigeria as a demonstration of craze, or a crazy demo. Call it anything but a democracy, because we certainly won't. This one gets heated.
The guys discuss the fallout from the election. Competing narratives from the political parties and the legal case being brought by the Labor Party. The conversation eventually lands on the reoccurring hope vs despair debate and you can guess who was on what side.
Mr. Fox joins the guys as they react to the presidential elections in Nigeria. The conversation gets heated as they discuss the events that unfolded, INEC's incompetence, and end with a debate on the merits of hope versus despair.
The guys discuss the latest stears poll, its shortcomings and the political landscape ahead of the upcoming elections.
Happy New Year Everyone! Either because of social media or just because, it feels like there's always something happening and 2023 opened with a bang. We saw a riot in Brazil, chaos in the US house of reps, the resignation of a politician for moral reasons, and a Freudian look into the mind of our favorite prince. The guys go popcorn-style through these topics then spend the second half previewing the upcoming presidential elections in Nigeria. Please like, subscribe and share.
The guys revisit their Elon Musk conversation. It's become increasingly clear that Elon is not the self-styled free-speech messiah he claims to be. How, then, should his actions be judged?
Also, the guys discuss Asake at the beginning of this brief discussion. Dan has some spicy takes that he tries to hide from the public. No more.
The guys debate the controversies that surrounded the opening ceremony and early stages of the World Cup. Whats the role of political activism in sports ? Who has the moral high ground ? Why can’t we just enjoy the game ? This one gets lively
The guys discuss the controversies surrounding twitter and try to parse out Elon Musk’s motivations; idiot, genius, bad actor or combination of all three.
The guys return from a break to debate the presidential prospects of Peter Obi, Tinubu and Atiku. This time, Dan moderates while Statesman X goes head to head with a guest, Mr. Fox, who doesn’t quite buy into the Peter Obi hype.
The guys discuss the recent controversies surrounding Kanye West. Anti-semitism is a form of bigotry and reprehensible but identity politicking makes for strange bed fellows and difficult conversations. This one gets spicy. Enjoy.
The guys discuss the campaign strategies of the three main candidates running to be elected president of Nigeria. Peter Obi is spending a lot of time with Diaspora Nigerians who can’t vote. Tinubu’s surrogates insist that Lagos is the model and/also better than Anambra state. Atiku seems to be secure in the belief that there’s enough anti-APC sentiment in Nigeria to let PDP back in power. What do you think ?
The guys discuss updates from the war in Ukraine. Ukraine is making gains but Putin’s Russia is reacting with a lot of bluster. The guys discuss the state of affairs, Putin’s motivations and the threat of nuclear war. They then move on to discuss British politics following the tax cuts announced by Kwasi Kwarteng.
The guys discuss in the death of Queen Elizabeth II and the intersection of legitimate grievance and power. The legacy of colonization is real and the formerly colonized have bigger platforms. Tables are being shook and people are freaking out. Lines that were drawn in smoke filled rooms shaped national destinies and Africa and one country - Nigeria - is at a crossroads with the presidential elections coming up in 2023. The guys discuss Peter Obi’s prospects and wage an epic battle of optimism vs pragmatism. Enjoy!
The guys discuss the election of Liz Truss as the next prime minister of the UK. She faces a lot of challenges and has assembled an interesting cabinet. This was recorded before the announcement of the death of the queen although statesman X gets some credit for alluding to concerns about the Queens health. They end - thanks to a masterful segue - with nerdy banter about Game of Thrones and lord of the rings.
The guys discuss updates from the trump/FBI/National Archives saga. The warrant and affidavit have been released and although Trump legitimately faces the prospect of prosecution, the politics of the moment are more interesting, especially in light of Biden’s bold decision to unilaterally cancel student debt, giving republicans something to rally against/change the subject to.
The guys review the first episode of the new Game of Thrones spin-off show; House of Dragons and set their expectations for the new Lord of the Rings show on Amazon Prime. This is another one for nerds.
The guys discuss the FBI raid of Trump’s property and his alleged mishandling of classified documents. The stakes of social conflict are getting higher and if the specter of increased tension in domestic US politics wasn’t terrifying enough, we saw a terrible tragedy take place in New York with the stabbing of Salman Rushdie and must once again have uncomfortable conversations about extremism and the role of power in the setting of narratives. This one gets spicy. Enjoy!
The guys debate their favorite comic book and fantasy characters. Really. They discuss the superhero genre and all its many aspects. What makes a hero? What are we to make of the fact that some of the best heroes are anti-heroes? Does a good hero need superpowers? If you had powers, would you be Superman or Homelander? If you've ever thought about who would win in a fight between Batman and Superman or Batman and (insert fictional character you would like to see against Batman), then you would enjoy this episode.
Also, spoiler alert for the following; Game of Thrones, Batman (The Dark Knight), and The Boys.
E don cast for Boris Johnson. He rode the populist wave to infamy and was part of the more significant - global - trend of right-wing leaders playing on anti-immigration sentiment in their respective countries. Unfortunately for Boris and the brits, his damage was relatively permanent as Brexit is irreversible, and the negative economic and social impacts are just starting to be felt.
Whatever you make of the man himself, his many scandals made for entertaining viewing even though they culminated in his resignation. "Partygate" is easily the best type of political scandal to have. The guys discuss the rise and fall of Boris, his many scandals, and the political outlook for the conservatives and the labor party. They try their best to segway as respectfully as possible to the political assassination of the former prime minister of Japan, Shinzo Abe.
Prices are going up!
In 2020 there was a pandemic, businesses shut down, and people spent less on travel and miscellaneous - out and about - expenses. They came out in 2021 in force and created significant demand pressure for goods and services as the lockdowns eased up, which in turn led to increased prices as businesses and manufacturers responded to the consequent reduction in supply.
Oh, and there's a F***ing war in Ukraine, and their grain exports are being blocked, so there's a food shortage in some African countries where the effects of climate change mean droughts and near-record high grain prices. The world tries to fight back with sanctions banning Russian oil imports, which also creates demand pressure as Russia supplied 40% of Europe's oil. Now, gas prices in America (for example) on average have gone up over 50% since the start of the year, which means prices are up for everything, everywhere.
The guys discuss the rising cost of living, its causes, the role of the government in managing the situation, and some of the tensions that exist between fostering an environment for innovation and keeping the evils of the profit motive in check. They then segway masterfully to the possibility that for the average Nigerian in Nigeria, the price of their favorite afrobeat superstar might soon be too high. A living memory on the internet and a tinge of national pride will have to suffice in place of access as Nigerian artists continue to perform for an increasing number of their fellow Nigerians and their new foreign fans in foreign lands. It's all connected.
The Supreme Court decision overturning Roe vs Wade has finally come down and the reactions have been nonstop. The guys discuss the ruling and the political fallout. What other rights are on the chopping block? Who will save us? Can democrats harness the energy on the side of the pro choice movement ? There’s a lot of passion on display here, enjoy!
The guys are back from a mid season break, refreshed and ready to tell you how they see things. They kick things off with a discussion of the Jan 6 hearings in congress, discuss the electoral landscape in Nigeria and close with a conversation about Boris Johnson. It’s good to be back!
The guys discuss the mass shooting problem unique to America and all the things that make it equal parts complex and enraging. How do we balance the right to bear arms against the right to be safe? Why is America the only place in the world where this happens ? This episode was delayed because statesman X went to Vegas to forget his adult problems for a while.
The guys discuss the apparent decision by the US supreme court to overturn the landmark case that guaranteed the right of women in America to access abortions; Roe v. Wade. This is a free-ranging discussion that covers the leak of the decision itself and its significance, the possible sources of the leak, the nature of the US supreme court, the politics, and the ethics of abortion itself. Statesman X gets deep into existential weeds at some point, but Dan Stark is there to save him. We end with a light-hearted discussion of the ongoing Elon Musk/Twitter saga.
The guys discuss the evolution of technology and its impact on business. The tech industry is arguably the most valuable, and it's also the driving force behind the fourth industrial revolution. Who are the winners and losers, and how can businesses survive? Also, the guys talk about founder cults of personality and end with their takes on Elon Musk vs. Twitter.
The guys discuss the nomination, hearings, and confirmation of the first black woman to serve on the US Supreme Court. They address the egregious smears leveled at KBJ by republicans and try to analyze their motives and the larger political landscape. They also discuss the evolution of Twitter Spaces as the new place for arguing with strangers online and how the clubhouse owners must be feeling after reportedly turning down a $4Bn offer.
The guys discuss insurgency in Nigeria in light of the recent train attack in Kaduna and essentially try to reckon with two troubling facts;
- The Nigerian government cannot guarantee the safety of life or property in Nigeria.
- Many remote regions in Nigeria are essentially ungoverned.
They also address the slap that was heard around the world in the context of the times and how they are strange and changing.
The guys discuss the upcoming 2023 elections in Nigeria the only way people who live thousands of miles away can, passionately, with hope, righteous anger, and idealism, from the safety of their soapbox.
The period we are currently going through will be remembered for generations just as significant events like Tiananmen Square, Jesse Owens at the Olympics and the civil rights movement, Apartheid in South Africa, the Cold War, and genocides in Africa. One could say that this defining period starts with the referendum by English people to leave the European Union and continues through Trump's election in America, the social turmoil that followed, the pandemic that has forever changed our lives, and now, the War in Ukraine that reminds us of our baser nature. The guys discuss the updates from the War, escalation, and the broader implications of the War in Ukraine for global geopolitics, especially for Nigeria and Black people worldwide.
Unless you've been under a rock, you're aware that Vladimir Putin has effectively set us on a possible path towards WW3. The guys discuss the Russian Invasion of Ukraine, Putin's possible motivations, the role of Nato and the West in instigating or defeating Russian aggression, and the anti-Blackness on display in the coverage of the War and the treatment of Black people trying to flee Ukraine. This is a good one. Enjoy.
The guys talk about Capitalism in the Nigerian context. What does Capitalism look like in Nigeria? Is the theoretical definition of Capitalism applicable in the Nigerian context? What's the role of the government in managing the economy? How do the peculiarities of Nigeria affect the kind of Capitalism required for economic development? What tensions exist between the guys' political ideologies and the realities on the ground in Nigeria? Listen and enjoy!
The guys talk about what it means (or doesn't) to be black. Why is it that the place with the largest population of definitionally "black" people doesn't get to decide what it means to be culturally "black"? How should we think about the wave of black immigrants to the west and the limited opportunities available to "people of color" in a white supremacist world? This one is spicy!
They said you were a colonial man, you were a slave a long time ago, you've been released now but you're yet to release yourself. If there's to be hope for Nigeria, there needs to be a change in the collective mindset. Is it possible though? Have we internalized bad behavior to the point of no return?
The 2023 election will be pivotal in determining the fate of Nigeria. With Tinubu looking like the front runner in a pool of terrible candidates, it's almost like the universe has the Nigerian people in some sick electoral version of Squid Game with terrible options, hard choices, and a questionable grand prize. That being said, isn't life full of hard choices? Lastly, what would you do for money if you knew you could get away with it ?
The guys chronicle their journeys to becoming politically conscious and try to draw lines around their beliefs. We cover, immigration, the ideal size & nature of the government, regulation and reparations among others.