What's Left?: Recent Episodes
What's Left?
What's Left? is a podcast hosted by Aimee Terese and Oliver Bateman, discussing political theory, philosophy, and current affairs from a critical perspective.
Oliver talks to former Florida Congressman Ric Keller about his 8-year stint as the representative for Florida's 8th district as well as his new book Chase the Bears: Little to Achieve Big Dreams (Simon & Schuster, 2022).Oliver and Ric discuss the challenges of serving in a "swing" district, the impact of primary elections on polarization, the fundraising costs associated with serving on congressional committees, the importance of civility in public discourse, and the difficulties associated with achieving wholesale reform in a large, complicated political system. Along with that, they discuss topics covered in Ric's new book, such as the value of networking and the necessity of maximizing one's talents and opportunities to achieve personal success.Suggested LinksRic Keller on the power of self-deprecating humor, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xiX85UzI86Y&ab_channel=TEDxTalks Ric Keller on the importance of networking, https://soundcloud.com/user-759550640/ric-keller-former-congressman-on-networking-the-right-way-for-success Keller's "hamburger bill," https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/109/hr554
Marketing professor (and Oliver's high school classmate) Lura Forcum returns to the show to discuss some of the challenges facing academia. Become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Oliver talks to retired United States Senator Jeff Bingaman (D-NM, served 1983-2013) about how the legislative process evolved during his 30 years in Washington, D.C. They discuss the debt ceiling, successful instances of past bipartisan cooperation, the war in Iraq, industrial policy, energy policy, and much more.
Senator Bingaman's new book Breakdown: Lessons for a Congress in Crisis offers an insightful, first-hand analysis of the causes and consequences of the dysfunction in Congress. Some of the sections, like the one concerning Bingaman's critical role in the passage of the Affordable Care Act, are extremely detailed and should prove useful to political scientists, historians, and others looking for primary sources related to these topics.
One topic not discussed during this interview was Bingaman's exceptional 1982 campaign. While running against incumbent Harrison Schmitt, who was and still is the most recent person to have walked on the moon, Bingaman utilized the campaign slogan "What on Earth has he done for you lately?" in the course of drawing attention to Schmitt's seeming neglect of local matters.
Patreon: patreon.com/whatsleft
Oliver talks to long-time friend and veteran Brain Candy Podcast host Susie Meister about life twenty years after her MTV debut on Road Rules in 1998. How has the nature of fame changed? Would she have approached fame differently had social media platforms such as IG, TikTok, and the like existed? And most importantly, why do people keep telling Oliver to read his own articles and listen to this podcast?
Become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Suggested reading/viewing:
Meister, "What I Learned From Fight Club-Style Brawling on 'The Challenge,'" https://observer.com/2018/07/fight-club-prize-fighting-mtv-the-challenge/
"My Reality Is Our Tragedy," https://www.salon.com/2017/11/28/tv-star-susie-meister-my-reality-is-our-tragedy/
"I Almost Became a Conservative Pundit," https://www.vox.com/first-person/2018/4/17/17247314/conservative-pundit-reality-tv-tomi-lahren-ann-coulter
"Susie vs. Kimberly on The Challenge: Ruins," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Fbks9XcBHc&ab_channel=BasicallyBasic
"Road Rules: Piggy's Accident," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VSh_Qu3BErE&ab_channel=FireMadeFleshII
In this episode, Oliver Bateman talked to marketing guru Nathan Allebach about how brands got horny - and how strangely unsexy this is.
Suggested Reading
Allebach, "When Brands Got Horny," https://www.vulture.com/article/when-brands-got-horny.html
Nathan's Prior Appearances on What's Left?
"The Work of Marketing," https://www.patreon.com/posts/work-of-60978923 (w/ Lura Forcum)
"Steak-Umm Bless," https://www.patreon.com/posts/steak-umm-bless-43073199
Oliver talks to Will Hild of Consumers' Research about the many problems with the way BlackRock oversees its $10 trillion worth of assets under management. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Suggested reading
"About BlackRock," https://aboutblackrock.com/ (Consumers' Research site)
"Texas orders state pension funds to divest from BlackRock holdings," https://www.cnbc.com/2022/08/25/texas-says-10-companies-including-blackrock-boycotting-energy-.html
"States push back against BlackRock," https://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2022/08/11/wise_states_begin_to_push_back_against_blackrock_larry_fink_847345.html
"What to know about BlackRock," https://www.businessinsider.com/what-to-know-about-blackrock-larry-fink-biden-cabinet-facts-2020-12
Aimee talks to former University of Sussex philosophy professor Kathleen Stock about sex, gender, and much more.
Become a patron: patreon.com/whatsleft
All About Kathleen Stock
Twitter: @Docstockk
Column: https://unherd.com/author/kathleen-stock/
Book: https://www.littlebrown.co.uk/titles/kathleen-stock/material-girls/9780349726595/
Substack: http://kathleenstock.substack.com
In another signature What's Left? "Girls Chat," Aimee talks to writer Louise Perry (author of The Case Against the Sexual Revolution; review here) about feminism, the sexual revolution, and much more. To listen to the full 2-hour episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Oliver talks to Iris Smyles about her new book Droll Tales, the work of writing, the consistency of the Red Lobster, the artistic compromises made by Sylvester Stallone, and the emptiness of phrases like "I hate writing, but I love having written." They also discuss identity and representation in literature, "cancelling" great writers for one reason or another, and other topics.
Suggested reading:
-- Smyles, "Embracing My Weird," https://www.vogue.com/article/iris-smyles-personal-style-green-shoes-miss-peregrines
-- "Fortune Cookies," https://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/fortune-cookies
-- "Ship of Wonks," https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/ship-of-wonks/361610/
-- "Adventures in Self-Promotion," https://www.splicetoday.com/writing/adventures-in-self-promotion
-- review of Droll Tales, https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/24/books/review/droll-tales-iris-smyles-a-blind-corner-caitlin-macy-sleeping-alone-ru-freeman-fruiting-bodies-kathryn-harlan.html
-- Bateman, "The 'Rocky IV' Director's Cut is Sylvester Stallone's 'Citizen Kane,'" https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/rocky-iv-directors-cut
Oliver Traldi joined Oliver to discuss the "smell test" or "work sense," arguments based on reasons, good and bad books, the marketplace of ideas, and much more.
To listen to the full two-hour episode, become a patreon at patron.com/whatsleft
Journalist Ben Sixsmith joins Oliver to discuss the refugee situation in Poland, right-wing comedy, the emptiness of John Cena, and more.
To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Oliver and Katherine Dee talk about incels, truecels, volcels, sex, dating, and much more in this wide-ranging episode. To listen to the full 2-hour episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Former Wall Street Journal reporter/Jezebel writer/&c. Moe Tkacik joins Oliver to discuss the cultural legacy of Abercrombie & Fitch. Topics include the recent Netflix documentary (in which Moe appears/Oliver declined to appear), Gen-X culture, the rise of the mall, billionaire sex cults, Dinosaur Jr., Reality Bites, the rise of the "corny," Abercrombie's approach to the presentation of the male body, and more. To listen to the full 2-hour episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Aimee and Oliver talked to writer T.A. Frank about his recent reporting on the post-CHOP/CHAZ state of policing in Seattle, his reporting on the early days of COVID, and his early-career work in China. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
In this wide-ranging discussion, Oliver talks to philosophy and history professor Justin E.H. Smith about his new book The Internet is Not What You Think It Is.
Suggested Reading
Smith, "It's All Over," https://thepointmag.com/examined-life/its-all-over/
"It's All Just Beginning," https://thepointmag.com/examined-life/its-all-just-beginning/
"The Internet Is Not as New as You Think," https://www.wired.com/story/the-internet-is-not-as-new-as-you-think/
"Working Arrangement," https://www.laphamsquarterly.org/family/working-arrangement
"Meritocracy and the Future of Work," https://www.newstatesman.com/ideas/2021/04/meritocracy-and-future-work
Justin E.H. Smith's substack: https://justinehsmith.substack.com/
Oliver discusses the future of the marketplace of ideas. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft.
Aimee talked with U.S. Tech Workers founder Kevin Lynn (this link goes to the Tech Workers website) about the state of organized labor, "organization" more broadly, and the future of labor advocacy.
To listen to the full episode, become a patron and patreon.com/whatsleft
In this time zone-spanning episode, Aimee talked to the podcast team at "Russians with Attitude" about the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rwapodcast
Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/rwapodcast
Substack - https://substack.com/profile/23837742-russians-with-attitude
Gumroad - https://russianswithattitude.gumroad.com/l/RWApodcast
Urban Reform Institute executive director Joel Kotkin returns to the podcast to discuss housing and development issues with Aimee and Oliver.
Suggested reading
Kotkin, "Green hypocrisy hurts the poorest," https://unherd.com/2022/02/green-hypocrisy-hurts-the-poorest/
"California's economy is weaker than it looks," https://unherd.com/thepost/californias-economy-is-weaker-than-it-looks/
"Even Elon Musk is leaving California behind," https://unherd.com/thepost/even-elon-musk-is-leaving-california-behind/
"A new dawn for the working class?" https://www.spiked-online.com/2022/02/08/a-new-dawn-for-the-working-class/
"Restoring the California Dream," https://joelkotkin.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Restoring_the_California_Dream.pdf (PDF report)
Oren Cass returns to the show to discuss issues related to the 2022 primaries and the future of the Republican Party. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Suggested reading
Cass, "America Needs a Conservative Labor Movement," https://www.wsj.com/articles/america-needs-a-conservative-labor-movement-11600379608
A Seat the Table for the American Labor Movement, https://americancompass.org/in-focus/seat-at-the-table/ (downloadable report)
"What American Workers Really Want Instead of a Union at Amazon," https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2021/04/20/what-american-workers-really-want-instead-of-a-union-at-amazon-483117
Not What They Bargained For: A Survey of American Workers, https://americancompass.org/essays/not-what-they-bargained-for/ (downloadable report)
"A Better Bargain: Worker Power in the Labor Market," https://americancompass.org/essays/a-better-bargain-worker-power-in-the-labor-market/
Cass' book The Once and Future Worker: https://www.manhattan-institute.org/theonceandfutureworker
In this episode, Aimee talks to Alex Rubinstein and Mila Ghorayeb of the Pro-Democracy Pod. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Suggested reading
Alex's substack: https://substack.com/profile/6825370-alex-rubinstein
Mila's substack: https://ghorayeb.substack.com/
Alex Rubinstein, "New Gates Foundation trustee led plot to overthrow Zimbabwean leader alongside US gov't," https://thegrayzone.com/2022/01/31/gates-foundation-trustee-overthrow-zimbabwean-covert-us-uk-govt/
Aimee and Oliver talked to Free Beacon reporter Aaron Sibarium about his reporting on COVID guidelines by race, anonymous pandemic-related student snitching at Yale, and more. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Suggested reading
Sibarium, "How an Anonymous Reporting System Made Yale a COVID 'Surveillance State,'" https://freebeacon.com/campus/how-an-anonymous-reporting-system-made-yale-a-covid-surveillance-state/
"FDA Guidance Drives Racial Rationing of COVID Drugs," https://freebeacon.com/coronavirus/food-and-drug-administration-drives-racial-rationing-of-covid-drugs/
"Hospital Backs Off Race-Based Treatment Policy After Legal Threat," https://freebeacon.com/coronavirus/hospital-system-backs-off-race-based-treatment-policy-after-legal-threat/
"Minnesota Backtracks on Racial Rationing of COVID Drugs," https://freebeacon.com/coronavirus/minnesota-backtracks-on-racial-rationing-of-covid-drugs/
"Biden Administration Offers Bonuses to Doctors Who Implement 'Anti-Racism Plans,'" https://freebeacon.com/biden-administration/biden-administration-offers-bonus-to-doctors-who-implement-anti-racism-plans/
Hillbilly Elegy author and Ohio Senate hopeful JD Vance joins Aimee and Oliver to discuss his campaign platform and life since the book's release. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Suggested reading
Simon van Zuylen-Wood, "The Radicalization of JD Vance," https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2022/01/04/jd-vance-hillbilly-elegy-radicalization/
Vance, "Beyond Libertarianism," https://www.firstthings.com/web-exclusives/2019/07/beyond-libertarianism
"The Great US Divide," https://www.standard.co.uk/comment/comment/the-coasts-and-the-flyover-country-the-great-us-divide-a3381306.html
Aimee and Oliver talked to John Dios (@NormalOneHaver) about running a soup kitchen and the impact of COVID-19 on social services. To listen to the full 90 min episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Oliver talks marketing with Steak-Umm social media mastermind Nathan Allebach and Clemson University marketing professor Lura Forcum. They discuss brands behaving like humans, humans behaving like brands, and the risks and rewards of co-opting "Weird Twitter" aesthetics to sell products.
Suggested listening
Nathan's first appearance on What's Left? https://www.patreon.com/posts/steak-umm-bless-43073199
Suggested reading
Know Your Meme interview with Nathan Allebach (https://knowyourmeme.com/editorials/interviews/nathan-allebach-behind-the-legendary-steak-umm-twitter-reveals-how-the-brand-immersed-itself-in-internet-culture-and-avoided-becoming-how-do-you-do-fellow-kids)
PBR's offensive tweet about ass eating (https://www.adweek.com/agencies/pabst-blue-ribbon-deletes-tweets-about-eating-ass-saying-they-were-in-poor-judgment/)
How Arby's made peace with Nihilist Arby's (https://www.businessinsider.com/how-arbys-made-peace-with-nihilist-arbys-2017-7)
Allebach, "A critical breakdown of brand humanization on social media," https://nathanallebach.medium.com/good-and-bad-ways-to-criticize-brands-being-human-on-social-media-cf61665fe7ca
"It's time brands started acting more like people," https://www.forbes.com/sites/onmarketing/2012/07/03/its-time-brands-started-acting-more-like-people/?sh=7e0dde6f7246 (from 2012!)
Outro music: Reverend Horton Heat, "Steak," https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQynViAF6Ds
Harvard Law School professor Adrian Vermeule joins Aimee and Oliver to discuss and at times debate the merits of common-good constitutionalism (which he explains in greater detail in his forthcoming book from Polity Press), "pretty-good" constitutionalism, originalism, the administrative state, and much more. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Suggested reading
Vermeule, "Beyond Originalism," https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/03/common-good-constitutionalism/609037/
"Local Wisdom," https://newrepublic.com/article/98607/henry-friendly-supreme-court-david-dorsen
"Rules, Commands and Principles in the Administrative State," https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3660026
"Conspiracy Theories" (with Cass Sunstein), https://chicagounbound.uchicago.edu/law_and_economics/119/
Adrian's entire SSRN article catalog, https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=231075
Ronald Dworkin, "The Moral Reading of the Constitution," https://www.nybooks.com/articles/1996/03/21/the-moral-reading-of-the-constitution/
Dworkin, "The Arduous Virtue of Fidelity," https://ir.lawnet.fordham.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=3328&context=flr
"The Code of Justinian ," https://web.archive.org/web/20130727022718/http://www.freewebs.com/vitaphone1/history/justinianc.html
Journalist Michael Shellenberger joins Aimee and Oliver to discuss his new book San Fransicko: Why Progressives Ruin Cities. They cover topics such as drug treatment, homelessness, and mental health. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Suggested reading
Shellenberger's Substack: https://michaelshellenberger.substack.com/
"Behind London Breed's stunning 'defund the police' turnaround in San Francisco," https://nypost.com/2021/12/15/behind-london-breeds-defund-the-police-turnaround-in-san-francisco/
"San Franciscans Get What They Voted for With Chesa Boudin," https://www.wsj.com/articles/san-francisco-crime-chesa-boudin-progressive-prosecutor-11637961667
"Climate change is no catastrophe," https://unherd.com/2021/11/climate-change-will-not-be-catastrophic/
Oliver talks with scholar Steve Viscelli and veteran trucker Gord Magill about the labor issues impacting truckers, the political narratives surrounding the industry, the daily work of driving a big rig, and more.
If you liked this episode, please consider subscribing to What's Left? to support the production of similar content in the future and gain access to 150 exclusive episodes.
For further information, check out the American Trucking Association (https://www.trucking.org/), the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (https://www.ooida.com/), California AB 5 (https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201920200AB5), Protecting the Right to Organize Act (https://www.congress.gov/bill/117th-congress/house-bill/842), and Steve Viscelli's book The Big Rig (https://www.steveviscelli.com/book)
Novelist and critic Walter Kirn joins the program to discuss his essay "The Creeps," what about old rich politicians like Nancy pelosi is so creepy, and the creepiness of the future promoted by tech billionaires like Mark Zuckerberg. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Jack from The Perfume Nationalist podcast joins the program to discuss hookup culture, the politics of consent, liberal psyops, the workout regimes of Richard Spencer and Ned Flanders, and much more.
Filthy Armenian (@FilthyArmenian) joins us to discuss the newest Dave Chappelle controversy, the politics of comedy, how Jon Stewart wrote the book on manufacturing consent, and more. To listen to the full 2-hour episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Writer and editor Park MacDougald joins the program to discuss the post left, the radical left, the democratic left, and what's left over. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Poppy Coburn, writer and zoomer correspondent, joins the show to answer an important question: what the hell is going on with young people? She talks the hopes and dreams of Generation Z, the impact of accelerating technological progress on relationships, and more. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft.
Author Kat Rosenfield joins the podcast to discuss her new book, No One Will Miss Her, the #metoo movement, Oliver's massive jar of milk, and much more. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Writer, critic, artist, and podcaster Adam Lehrer joins the show to discuss his new book, Communions, the glamorization of the creative addict, liberal fetishization, and more. To listen to the full 90 minute episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Jesse and Katie join the podcast to discuss COVID vaccines, anti-vax ideology, our collective loss of trust in institutions, conspiracy theories, the gender identification of children, and much more. To listen to the full 2-hour episode, become a patron and patreon.com/whatsleft
Emmet and Adrian join the show to discuss all things nuclear power, the green new deal, the politics of energy and climate change, and more. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Aimee and Oliver are joined by Executive Editor of The American Mind, James Poulos, to discuss social media culture, the internet panopticon, whether Aimee should log off Twitter, and more.
Aimee and Oliver are joined by writer and contributing editor at Unherd, Mary Harrington, to discuss the history of feminism, the #metoo movement, pornography, relationship power imbalances, and more. To listen to the full 90 min episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Oliver and Aimee are joined by the great Glenn Greenwald (and his dog) to discuss COVID-19, civil liberties, being of the object of online hatred, Trump's impact on the left, the politics of recognition and inclusion, and why movements become more militant as they become mainstream.
To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Aimee and Oliver are joined by Patrick Deneen, author of Why Liberalism Failed (2018), and Sohrab Ahmari, author of The Unbroken Thread: Discovering the Wisdom of Tradition in an Age of Chaos (2021). They discuss the failures (or successes) of liberalism, and its relationship to tradition, conservatism, and the economy. To listen to the full 90 min episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Aimee is joined by Angela Nagle to discuss her recent article, "Reprivatizing Fine Art In The Name Of Equality." They talk beauty as a public good, the intersection of identity and art, neoliberal gender politics, and much more. To listen to the full 3-hour conversation, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Read Angela's article and subscribe to her newsletter here: https://angelanagle.substack.com/p/reprivatizing-fine-art-in-the-name
Oliver is joined by Ralph Moffettone, writer and director Delenda (2018), to discuss the work of filmmaking, the real purpose of prestige television, and why streaming services don't care if you're really paying attention.
To listen to the full 2 hr episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
To listen to the full 2 hr episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Aimee is joined by journalist Alex Rubinstein to discuss his article on the weaponization of wokeness, the American empire under Biden, abolishing the police, and more.
Alex's article: https://realalexrubi.substack.com/p/intersectional-imperialism-a-wholesome
Aimee is joined by the great @htmlmencken for a 3.5 hr conversation about disciplinary woke culture, its recent history, and its uses. To listen to the full conversation, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Aimee and Oliver are joined by Michael Lind to discuss his analysis in The New Class War: Saving Democracy from the Managerial Elite. They talk the educational divide, the geography of class, the function of NGOs, and much more. To listen to the full 90 min episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Aimee and Oliver are joined by Helen Andrews to discuss her new book, Boomers: The Men and Women Who Promised Freedom and Delivered Disaster. They touch on the six sketches in the book, from Camille Paglia and Sonya Sotomayor to Aaron Sorkin and Al Sharpton, the influence of boomer politics, and why boomers think The Beatles and Bob Dylan are as important as Beethoven.
To listen to the full 90 min episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Aimee and Oliver are joined by professor and author Joel Kotkin to discuss his work, the characteristics of neo-feudalism and its class structure, and to offer some hope for the future.
Aimee and Oliver discuss the deeper implications of the "cancellation" of NJ Robinson.
Suggested reading:
NJR, "How the Media Cracks Down on Critics of Israel," https://www.currentaffairs.org/2021/02/how-the-media-cracks-down-on-critics-of-israel
NJR, "Why We All Hate Bari Weiss So Much," https://www.currentaffairs.org/2019/04/why-we-all-hate-bari-weiss-so-much
Bateman, "Hall Monitors Doing the Work," https://www.splicetoday.com/writing/hall-monitors-doing-the-work
Bateman, "Solidarity, Just for Me," https://www.splicetoday.com/politics-and-media/solidarity-just-for-me
Oliver offers predictions on the upcoming Overeem-Volkov UFC Fight Night and Aimee discusses the week in takes.
Suggested reading
"The Secret Bipartisan Campaign That Saved the 2020 Election," https://time.com/5936036/secret-2020-election-campaign/
"The Marxist Wall Street couldn't ignore," https://www.salon.com/1998/12/22/21feature_2/
"Nevada bill would allow tech companies to create governments," https://apnews.com/article/legislature-legislation-local-governments-nevada-economy-2fa79128a7bf41073c1e9102e8a0e5f0
Aimee and Red Scare's Anna K #TurnUp for a special Saturday night stream about AOC, emotivism, and much more!
In this 150-minute episode, Aimee takes the time to lay out a number of points in considerable detail and correct ongoing misrepresentations of her work, the work of the podcast, and so forth, covering everything from the misuse of the term "PMC" to uncharitable interpretations of simple and concise claims that became the subject of "Aimee, the Spectre Haunting Twitter" drama.
Oliver notes that much ostensible "commentary" about the show seems to assume it is a one-person operation rooted in Aimee's 2019 tweets - to the extent that he and Studebaker are often confused with each other or treated as a single entity, and guests are assumed to be one of us - and he is sometimes even told that he'd enjoy listening to What's Left?
Suggested reading
Rosa Luxemburg on anarchism: https://www.marxists.org/archive/luxemburg/1906/mass-strike/ch01.ht
And Georgi Plekhanov on anarchism: https://www.marxists.org/archive/plekhanov/1895/anarch/index.htm
In this irreverent episode, Bog Beef and Oliver talk NBA defense, gyno, growth hormone-induced pectoral spread, Butterbean, Pride, the upcoming Overeem/Volkov fight night, John Tenta's singlet, and much more.
Suggested reading
Bateman, "Lifting Weights and Going on Dates," https://amgreatness.com/2020/08/25/lifting-weights-and-going-on-dates/
"Butterbean Hasn't Gone Anywhere," https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/butterbean-hasnt-gone-anywhere-you-just-havent-been-looking-hard-enough
"Steroid Solidarity," https://www.vqronline.org/reporting-articles/2017/07/steroid-solidarity
"Road Warrior Animal was the Future of Wrestling," https://www.theringer.com/2020/9/25/21454369/road-warriors-animal-joe-laurinaitis-wrestling-wwf-wcw
Our latest episode features Bog Beef, Jeff, Leila, Oliver, and Aimee talking about Aimee's latest Twitch departure, Zoom vs. in-class education, and much more. Four hours of fun!
Suggested reading
Jacques Hyzagi, "Robert Crumb is Dead --to Me," https://observer.com/2016/04/robert-crumb-is-dead/
"Robert Crumb Hates You," https://observer.com/2015/10/robert-crumb-hates-you/
Oliver Bateman's school finance litigation dissertation (trigger warning: boring), http://d-scholarship.pitt.edu/11865/
Aimee, Jeff, Monsieur le Baron, and Oliver talk about big developments with the stonks as well as the limits of irony-bro humor.
Suggested reading
"Reddit's Favorite Stocks That Aren't GameStop," https://www.wsj.com/articles/blackberry-amc-and-other-reddit-yolo-favorites-that-arent-gamestop-11611681716 (paywall)
"A Fight Over GameStop's Soaring Stock Turns Ugly," https://www.wired.com/story/gamestop-stock-wall-street-bets-short-squeeze/
Aimee, Oliver, and Geoff situate the seemingly memory-holed "Jacobinghazi" event of 2014 in its historical context:
The New York Times GamerGate retrospective (2019), https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2019/08/15/opinion/gamergate-zoe-quinn.html Amber Frost, "Bro Bash" in Jacobin (2014), https://www.jacobinmag.com/2014/06/bro-bash/ Paul Krugman, "Bernie is Becoming a Bro" in The New York Times (2016), https://www.nytimes.com/2016/04/08/opinion/sanders-over-the-edge.html Arthur Chu, "Your Princess is in Another Castle" in The Daily Beast (2014), https://www.thedailybeast.com/your-princess-is-in-another-castle-misogyny-entitlement-and-nerds-1 Alana Massey, "Against Chill" in Matter (2015), https://medium.com/matter/against-chill-930dfb60a577 "Jacobinghazi" retrospective imgur, https://imgur.com/a/nUX1A
Aimee, Oliver, and special guest Geoff Shullenberger team up to discuss Peter Turchin, UFC 257, Nike, "nerds vs. jocks," Twitter without Trump, Biden's Shinola watch, Josh Hawley, and much more.
Suggested Reading:
"Jocks Rule, Nerds Drool" in The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2018/08/11/opinion/sunday/nerds-lebron-james-elon-musk.html Bateman, "Jocks vs. Nerds" in Splice Today, https://www.splicetoday.com/writing/jocks-vs-nerds
Aimee, Oliver, and Jeff discuss trolls, anons, "debt as a universal class," Instacart unionization, Prop 22, work-from-home surveillance methods, and Zizek's issue of the Abercrombie & Fitch Quarterly.
Aimee and Leila discuss COVID-19, the science surrounding the pandemic, and the scientific community's role in the broader crisis.
Closing song, "COVID-19" by Yuri Wong. (Purchase here: https://gumroad.com/l/covid19blow)
Our first stream featured friends of the podcast such as Leila Mechoui, Jeff Van Drew, Monsieur Le Baron, and the Bog Beef, as well as Aimee and Oliver.
Subscribe to our Twitch stream as we make our push toward Partner status over there:
twitch.tv/whatsleftcast
Aimee and Oliver are joined by @htmlmencken to discuss left politics in the 1990s, the early days of Slate and Salon, the congealing of the blob, anti-war blogging during the Bush years, the origins of Ezra Klein, and more.
Aimee and Oliver are joined by Tom Ballard (@TomCBallard), Australian comic and podcaster, to discuss the comedy scene, talking with people you disagree with, and the difference between US and Australian politics.
Aimee and Oliver are joined by Dr. Daniel George to discuss the "deaths of despair" as described in popular media. They talk the politics of the phrase, its relationship to capitalist productivity, the dismissal of and contempt for working-class whites, and why neoliberalism sees them as "deaths of opportunity."
Aimee and Oliver are joined by Oren Cass, author of The Once and Future Worker: A Vision for the Renewal of Work in America (2018), to discuss the future of labor markets, education, and what party Bill Clinton would belong to today.
Oliver is joined by Aubrey Sitterson to talk the comics industry, his own comic Beef Bros, and the politics of the Marvel Universe.
Oliver is joined by veteran publisher Russ Smith to talk about his life in the industry, the work of starting a weekly paper, and why advice from older people is usually worthless.
Aimee and Oliver are joined by @Logo_Daedalus to talk the post-2020 political landscape, the aesthetics of 4chan and Something Awful, and how people have become political products. To listen to the full 2hr 15min conversation, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Oliver talks with Gregory Butler, carpenter and author of "Disunited Brotherhood: Race, Racketeering, and the Fall of the New York Construction Unions" about the carpentry industry and the ins and outs of union membership.
Buy Gregory's book here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/0595391435/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_b9SQFb0JDE9C6
Aimee and Oliver are joined by Thaddeus Russell (@ThaddeusRussell), host of the Unregistered podcast and founder of Renegade University. He talks growing up with revolutionaries, becoming disillusioned with socialism, and why the university is the most puritanical place outside of church.
The three horsegirls of the apocalypse (Aimee, Anna, and Angela) talk feminine psychological warfare, Glenn Greenwald and nice leftists, the self-victimization of the Squad, and why we probably all have a Cluster B personality disorder. To hear the full 3 hr episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
Oliver discusses long-haul trucking with Gord Magill, a veteran trucker. They talk wages, changing working conditions, lost time, and the ins and outs of working on the road.
Gord's interview with Atlas Obscura: https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/exit-interview-i-spent-20-years-behind-the-wheel-of-a-big-rig
Nathan Allebach (@nathanallebach) joins Oliver to talk about tweeting from the Steak-umm twitter account, brand building in the marketplace of ideas, and hacking the algorithm to do the work.
Malcom and Oliver discuss the post-Bernie left. They talk the death of the Bernie coalition, the battle over the PMC, and the orphans who have been left behind.
In a solo episode for patrons, Oliver gets personal examining different conceptions of strength, and the political implications they might have.
To become a patron, visit https://www.patreon.com/whatsleft
Aimee, Oliver, and Malcom discuss the direction of the podcast. They talk theorizing the right, the meaning and possibility of worker's politics, and what we'll fight about after capitalism.
Aimee, Oliver, and Malcom discuss the upcoming election, voting blue no matter who, being a credentialed intellectual, and the platonic form of The Worker.
Aimee is joined by Marty (@martymacmarty) to discuss his recent article for The Bellows, "The New Cultural Revolution." They talk BLM and ongoing protests, the class alliance between the elites and the lumpenproletariat, the political uses of the term "community," and love under late capitalism.
Marty's article: https://www.thebellows.org/the-new-cultural-revolution/
Aimee examines the political career of Alex Morse, Democratic candidate for Congress.
Sources: https://www.masslive.com/politics/2015/12/hillary_clinton_rolls_out_masa.html https://www.masslive.com/politics/2016/02/western_mass_hillary_clinton_s.html https://www.masslive.com/news/2016/02/holyoke_mayor_alex_morse_sheri.html https://www.amherstbulletin.com/News/Locals-picked-as-Dem-convention-delegates-1454531 https://www.wamc.org/post/democrats-talk-unity-clinton-scores-massachusetts-win https://www.masslive.com/news/2018/08/arbitration_ruling_overturns_d.html https://www.bostonglobe.com/2020/08/21/opinion/what-did-mayor-alex-morse-do-when-holyoke-police-beat-12-year-old-boy/ https://m.facebook.com/local1693/posts/1867626023514905 https://twitter.com/Local1693/status/1032552445149413376?s=20
Aimee, Oliver, Angela, and Malcom discuss the work of doing politics.
Census Data:
https://www2.census.gov/programs-surveys/cps/tables/p20/580/table07.xlsx
https://www.pewresearch.org/politics/2018/08/09/an-examination-of-the-2016-electorate-based-on-validated-voters/
Angela and Malcom return to discuss Michael Lind's reception among the left, materialism, class war, and the halcyon days of 2016.
Michael Lind's article: https://www.thebellows.org/the-double-horseshoe-theory/
Aimee, Oliver, and Malcom discuss the encouragement of physical violence against political adversaries, its role in the discourse, and the political contradictions of emotion.
Angela and Malcom return for another long conversation about statues in Ireland, the relationship between NGOs and global capitalism, and the rewriting of history in the culture wars, among other things.
In this Patreon exclusive, Aimee and Oliver are joined by again Angela Nagle and Malcom Kyeyune to discuss the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone in Seattle.
To become a patron, subscribe at patreon.com/whatsleft
Aimee and Oliver are joined by again Angela Nagle and Malcom Kyeyune to discuss how the united front of elites are getting their revenge on awful populists. They talk cancellations, the media, and the ugly work of left politics.
Aimee and Oliver are joined again by Malcom Kyeyune to discuss the murder of George Floyd, the ongoing protests against police brutality, and the broader question of the left's relationship to the police and the state.
Aimee and Oliver are joined by Angela Nagle and Malcom Kyeyune to discuss some of their recent writing. They talk left discourse, culture war and class war, Strasserism, and the big red button that says "Please Don't Press, or Racism Will Happen."
Reading: "First as Tragedy, Then as Farce: The Collapse of the Sanders Campaign and the Fusionist Left" | https://americanaffairsjournal.org/2020/05/first-as-tragedy-then-as-farce/ "On Strasserism and the Decay of the Left" | https://tinkzorg.wordpress.com/2020/05/07/on-strasserism-and-the-decay-of-the-left/
Aimee and Oliver are joined by Michael Tracey to discuss his piece, "Do You Believe Tara Reade?" They talk the allegations made by Tara Reade, #metoo and the discourse of "believing women", and the political contradictions the left loves papering over.
Read Michael's article here: https://spectator.us/believe-tara-reade-joe-biden/
Aimee and Oliver talk the discourse of good and bad faith, the role of moral intuition in politics, and the work of the media.
A short clip from our January 7 episode on police abolition that feels relevant in the wake of the primary. Specifically, the shifting goal posts that cite discursive interventions (i.e. "we're winning on ideas") as a substitute for a failure to achieve real change or actual political power.
Aimee and Oliver discuss "Bigger Than Bernie: How We Go from the Sanders Campaign to Democratic Socialism," the new book by Meagan Day and Micah Uetricht.
Aimee and Oliver take a deep dive into the political career of prominent Berniecrat, Krystal Ball.
Aimee and Oliver talk Bernie's decision to suspend his campaign and analyze the response by the media and those on the left.
Oliver and Aimee discuss art and cultural production in the era of Trump and coronavirus. They talk the politics of commodification, and why capitalism doesn't give a shit about what you believe.
Oliver returns to discuss the political relevance (or, irrelevance) of feeling and the commodification of affect. They talk Liz Warren, AOC, and journalism in the time of the coronavirus.
Oliver Bateman returns to diagnose Bernie's campaign, the ongoing coronavirus crisis, and how Bernie's failures might be a win for the left media.
Aimee and Benjamin discuss the Nevada caucus results and narratives surrounding voting demographics, the Las Vegas debate, and Russia's decision to "help" Bernie Sanders.
Aimee and Benjamin discuss the results of the New Hampshire primary, AOC's recent comments about compromising on Medicare for All, and the new drama surrounding Michael Bloomberg.
Aimee and Benjamin look at the results of the Iowa caucuses, what they reveal about Bernie's support in 2020 compared to his support in 2016, and what the Sanders campaign needs to do strategically going forward.
Aimee and Benjamin discuss the "progressive" label, the relationship between the progressive and centrist wings of the Democratic party, and how liberals have succeeding in appropriating the aesthetics of radicalism without changing their politics.
Aimee and Benjamin react to the news and discourse surrounding the death of Kobe Bryant. They talk the allegation of sexual assault against him, how the media has framed this after his death, and what the legacy of his basketball career says about liquid modernity. Also, Aimee addresses her ongoing twitter suspension.
Aimee and Benjamin discuss Joe Rogan's support for Bernie Sanders, those in the Church Left who find his support problematic, and how the Sanders campaign might build on this support to reach more ordinary working-class people.
Aimee and Benjamin discuss Elizabeth Warren's recent accusation against Bernie Sanders and the subsequent fallout, Joe Biden's history with Social Security, and the changed role of emotional displays in politics.
Further Reading:
https://theintercept.com/2020/01/17/sanders-warren-vice-president-treasury-secretary/
Aimee and Benjamin examine police abolition movements and the arguments underpinning them. They talk anarchism and neoliberalism, the role of the state, and offer their own suggestions how the left might respond to the issues taken up by the "abolish" movements.
Further Reading: | https://www.jacobinmag.com/2017/08/prison-abolition-reform-mass-incarceration | | https://twitter.com/avitale/status/1202740643619061760?s=21 | | https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3404276 |
Aimee and Benjamin discuss the fallout from the British election. They talk Brexit, the Labour Party, and why the left needs more middle-class class traitors.
Aimee and Benjamin discuss the upcoming British election, Labour's chances at the polls, and the consequences of a Conservative win.
Aimee and Benjamin discuss Dr. Phil's Turn-About Ranch, where insubordinate teens are sent to be reeducated, and a broader nostalgia for the authenticity of rural communities. Also, they talk Elizabeth Warren's relationship to Dr. Phil and former calls for Oprah to run for president.
Aimee and Benjamin examine the history and origins of fascism as a form of authoritarianism. They talk the casual usage of the term "fascist" in today's political discourse, its relationship to the failures of liberalism, and why the left needs to be more specific with how the term is applied.
Aimee and Benjamin discuss the legal and political implications surrounding the Michelle Carter case. They talk the causal power of speech acts, the power of the state, and the blurry lines of agency and culpability in a materialist account of society.
Aimee and Benjamin chat with Freddie DeBoer about the state of education and its relationship to social mobility, the media, and politics.
Pre-order Freddie's book, The Cult of Smart, here: https://www.amazon.com/dp/1250200377/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_ngAXDbH1WESVF
Further Reading: https://www.counterpunch.org/2006/01/10/the-war-within-the-antiwar-movement/
Aimee and Benjamin discuss the particulars of Warren's recently unveiled Medicare For All plan, and why it isn't as serious as the rhetoric surrounding it would have you believe.
|ˌnēōˈlib(ə)r(ə)liz(ə)m| noun
Aimee and Benjamin discuss the slippery term "neoliberalism" and offer a more concise, coherent understanding of what it means.
Aimee and Benjamin cover some of the major events of the last week. They talk attacks on Elizabeth Warren at the Democratic Debate, AOC's and Ilhan Omar's endorsements of Bernie Sanders, and Hillary Clinton's accusation that Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian asset.
Aimee and Benjamin offer a concise critique of Elizabeth Warren's candidacy by moving from issue to issue and highlighting her record. On everything from gender and LGTBQ equality to banking and foreign policy, Warren has repeatedly misrepresented her positions, past and present.
Aimee and Benjamin look at the CFPB as an example of Elizabeth Warren's progressive bona fides. Turns out, it's a much better example of her failure to understand political economy.
Aimee and Benjamin examine the different factions of rightwing politics and social conservatism in politics today, their conflict with liberalism, and the ways they differ from old school fascism.
Aimee and Benjamin have a long discussion with the great Adolph Reed, Jr. They talk Greta Thunberg, AOC and race, the differences between Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren, and why Rachel Dolezal had to sink for identity politics to stay afloat.
NOTE: This is an abridged version of a 2hr 15min discussion. To listen to the full episode, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
In response to The 1619 Project, Aimee and Benjamin examine the relationship between slavery, agriculture, industrialism, and capitalism. They talk about what The New York Times gets wrong about the political economy of the origins of American capitalism, and why there's much more to the story than just slavery.
In response to recent mass shootings, Aimee and Benjamin explore the spooky realm of magic words and those who give mystical agency to language.
If you'd like to hear more exclusive episodes, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
On this episode, Aimee and Benjamin offer some analysis of the second round of democratic debates. They talk the framing of Bernie and Warren as the two "progressive" candidates, the media's role in bolstering Warren's campaign, and why we need to be clearer about what exactly Warren supports.
NOTE: Due to some unforeseen technical limitations, this episode may sound less mastered than usual.
Is socialism the realization of liberal ideals that capitalism makes impossible? Aimee and Benjamin explore the theoretical and political implications of this question, conceptions of freedom and the good life, and where we might draw the line between liberalism and socialism.
Aimee and Benjamin take a closer look at Trump's remarks about The Squad. They talk the discourse of representation, socialism with a diverse face, and why identity politics is always a ruling-class project.
Aimee and Benjamin look at the ongoing calls for impeachment from within the Democratic party, as well as the divisions within the party between Pelosi and its more progressive members. They talk the political strategy of calling for impeachment, the beef between AOC and Pelosi, and what influential figures on the left must do to achieve power.
Aimee and Benjamin examine left and right arguments put forth which, in various ways, suggest capitalist processes and their contradictions must be deepened or heightened to produce radical change. They talk accelerationist discourse, whether social democracy is a barrier to revolution, and electoral strategies in the age of Trump.
| Further Reading |
Ellen Meiksins Wood. "History or Technological Determinism?" (https://www.versobooks.com/blogs/2471-history-or-technological-determinism-by-ellen-meiksins-wood) / Benjamin Noys, Malign Velocities: Accelerationism and Capitalism
Aimee and Benjamin offer their thoughts on the first two 2020 Democratic primary debates. They talk post-debate polling, "staying on message," and the weird role of children in US politics.
Aimee and Benjamin examine the different approaches to health care supported by democratic candidates. They talk medicare for those who want it, so-called "multiple paths" to medicare for all, and the fuzzy language of noncommitment.
Aimee and Benjamin examine the political conditions that defined a generation of slackers, cynics, and neoliberal punks. They talk the influence of Clintonism in the 1990s, how "challenging the establishment" became a protest no one took seriously, and why so many "young democrats" running for president can't be anything other than managers of the liberal consensus.
Aimee and Benjamin examine the structural and political problems surrounding green energy. They talk the contradictions inherent to the global nature of climate change, accelerationism vs. primitivism, and whether the potential suffering of future generations should outweigh the needs of the present.
Aimee and Benjamin examine Elizabeth Warren's views on education. They talk her long support for charter schools, her proposal to forgive student loan debt, and her failing grade on standardized testing.
Aimee and Benjamin critically examine the structure of co-ops and their emancipatory potential. They talk the efficacy of direct democracy, the difference between co-ops and unions, and why we don't want a workplace filled with managers. To check out other exclusive episodes, become a patron at patreon.com/whatsleft
| Reading |
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2012/jun/24/alternative-capitalism-mondragon
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/01/07/the-philosopher-redefining-equality
Kasmir, Sharryn, The Myth of Mondragon, (1996), SUNY Press.
In light of Theresa May's resignation, Aimee and Benjamin talk about the ongoing developments surrounding the Brexit referendum. They talk the difference between a hard and soft leave, the viability of a People's vote, and why whoever replaces Theresa May isn't likely to have more success.
Aimee and Benjamin examine the question "What is the class position of retired people?" They talk the difference between U.S. and Australian entitlements, media consumption, and some of the contradictions in material interests of generational politics.
[A preview of a 2h 25m episode available at patreon.com/whatsleft]
A deliriously tired Aimee and Benjamin muddle through a mounting list of concerns they have re the trajectory of Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's increasingly identitarian rhetoric and political inconsistency. Does she represent the future of a broad based left electoral politics? And why hasn't she endorsed Bernie Sanders already?
Aimee and Benjamin trace the careers of Joe Biden and Elizabeth Warren over the past few decades. They look at how each responded to the crises of the 1970s, Reaganism in the 1980s, and the political triangulation of the 1990s. Despite appearing very different now, it turns out they have much more in common.
| Reading |
https://www.nytimes.com/2007/07/30/world/americas/30iht-letter.1.6894357.html
https://www.nytimes.com/2015/01/30/opinion/joe-biden-a-plan-for-central-america.html
https://fpif.org/continuing-the-crackdown-on-kids/
https://www.weeklystandard.com/christopher-caldwell/elizabeth-warren-closet-conservative
Aimee and Benjamin discuss the policies of Pete Buttigieg during his time as mayor of South Bend, IN. They examine his inhumane approach to the homeless population, the "makeover" of the city, and his 1,000 Houses in 1,000 Days initiative.
| Further Reading|
https://www.southbendtribune.com/.../south-bend...buttigieg...homeless.../article_baec63
https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/south-bend-will-stop-short-of-banning-homeless-encampments/article_8c21a2e6-32b1-11e8-aa91-3bf14deb6e7d.htm
https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/south-bend-considers-legal-options-with-homeless-under-main-street/article_fec3cef8-1585-570e-911a-21f834f073f0.html
https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/advocates-decry-south-bend-s-viaduct-policy-as-council-hears/article_43fa2900-c8e6-11e7-81d9-c3074901bed1.html
https://www.southbendtribune.com/south-bend-crews-clear-homeless-encampment/article_e36248ba-d8f9-11e7-9c43-ffe79f4cadac.html
https://www.southbendtribune.com/news/local/south-bend-again-tries-to-vacate-homeless-people-camped-under/article_f42b9509-7900-5551-ae50-a14b1977889e.html
http://media.graytvinc.com/documents/Working+Group+Report+on+Chronic+Homelessness.pdf
https://medium.com/@hugh_w_forrest/sxsw-moments-pete-buttigieg-25805817b2da
https://www.citylab.com/life/2018/01/what-millennial-mayors-are-doing-for-city-hall/552005/
https://www.nevadacurrent.com/2019/04/09/buttigieg-touts-youth-as-a-strength-in-first-las-vegas-campaign-visit/
Aimee and Benjamin examine the political implications of different proposals described as "open borders." They talk amnesty, the nation-state, the effect of free movement on the labor market, and why focusing on the border often overlooks America's role in creating conditions that give rise to immigration in the first place.
Aimee and Benjamin examine the relevance of character in politics. They talk Bernie's income, Joe Biden's #metoo moment, and two articles questioning whether Pete Buttigieg is "gay enough" to be president.
| Reading |
Christina Cauterucci, "In a Diverse Candidate Field, How Is Pete Buttigieg’s Sexuality Factoring Into His Appeal?" | https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2019/03/pete-buttigieg-gay-diversity-white-male-candidate.html
Jacob Bacharach, "Why Pete Buttigieg is bad for gays." | https://theoutline.com/post/7288/why-pete-buttigieg-is-bad-for-gays?zd=1&zi=2coob7vk
Aimee and Benjamin tackle the fallout from the Russia investigation. They discuss the media and the blob, the way these institutions "collude," and the anti-democratic implications that result: manufacturing consent for a securitized and anxious body politic.
| Further Reading |
https://benjaminstudebaker.com/2017/05/10/trussiagate-is-a-neo-mccarthyite-distraction/
https://benjaminstudebaker.com/2018/07/20/why-every-president-tries-to-make-nice-with-russia-and-why-it-never-works/
https://taibbi.substack.com/p/russiagate-is-wmd-times-a-million
Aimee and Benjamin examine the history of the electoral college in US politics and the political motives of those demanding it be abolished. They talk rural voters, proportional representation, and why the electoral college forces presidential candidates to engage with populations they would otherwise ignore.
Aimee and Benjamin examine the various ways liberalism attempts to explain lone wolf terrorism. They discuss the power of dangerous ideas, freedom of speech and civil liberties, and the acceptance of state overreach for protection.
Aimee and Benjamin examine the role of policy white papers in presenting insufficient, means-tested, or outright misleading programs as serious proposals. They look at Elizabeth Warren's "universal" child care program, Andrew Yang's "universal" basic income, and "state single payer" health care.
| Readings |
Elizabeth Warren's Universal Child Care Plan: https://medium.com/@teamwarren/my-plan-for-universal-child-care-762535e6c20a
Andrew Yang's Universal Basic Income Plan: https://www.yang2020.com/what-is-ubi/
Aimee and Benjamin discuss the differences between allyship and solidarity by turning to the political and philosophical traditions from which they emerge: idealism and materialism.
In response to Elizabeth Warren and Kamala Harris announcing their support for slave reparations, Aimee and Benjamin take a deep dive into the practical implementations of reparations and the philosophical and political theory underpinning reparative justice.
|Works Cited|
"The Case for Reparations," Ta-Nehisi Coates (2014) https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2014/06/the-case-for-reparations/361631/
"Anarchy, State, and Utopia," Robert Nozick (1974)
On the first episode, Aimee Terese and Benjamin Studebaker discuss what they hope to explore with the podcast by considering the ideas and approaches useful for a left politics.