Best of the Left Podcast

Put a description of your podcast here.

The Podcasts

Original Air Date: 12-15-22

Today, Jay!, Amanda, Erin, and Deon discuss:

- Why framing corporations are moral actors is a step on the path to conspiratorial thinking

- Conservative framing that doesn't make them look as good as they think it does

- Indoctrination as a scare word

- Defining political topics that are beyond the scope of civil debate

 

Connect to out Discord

 

References:

Tucker Carlson: Apple is covering for the Chinese government

Apple is willing to engage in global censorship: David Sack 

Apple CEO confronted over China protests 

Alito asks a hypothetical about a Black Santa at the mall who doesn't want to have his picture taken with a child dressed up in a KKK outfit.

Kanye STORMS OUT On Tim Pool After Claiming Jewish Cabal Is Targeting Him - The Majority Report 

MAHER: ‘Don’t Say Gay Law’ Could Have Been Called ‘Let’s Do Things the Way We Did 5 Years Ago Law’ 

 

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

 

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_261_Sample_-_12-28-22_10.27.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:27am EDT

Original Air Date 10/27/2021

Today we take a look at some of the ways that 25 years of Fox News has reshaped our media and political landscape. Crucially, understanding Fox isn't just about their influence on their conservative viewers but how they manage to hack the political conversation for the rest of us.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The War On Fox Is Over - The Young Turks - Air Date 12-22-13

Archive clip from A parody of itself (Media) - Best of the Left - Archives - Air Date 2-17-14

Ch. 2: Losing Relatives to Fox News - You're Wrong About - Air Date 12-7-20

Mike tells Sarah what makes older Americans more vulnerable to misinformation — and who is delivering it to them.

Ch. 3: Kevin Drum on how Fox 'News' broke America - The Bradcast - Air Date 9-17-21

Data journalist and longtime Mother Jones columnist KEVIN DRUM explains his exhaustive analysis of the madness of this political moment, and how and why we arrived at it. The Right has seemingly gone mad due to the spread of conspiracy theories.

Ch. 4: You're watching Fox News. You just don't know it. - Vox - Air Date 5-24-19

Fox News was created to push right-wing nonsense to the mainstream, and now there’s no escape.

Ch. 5: Conspiracy Network OAN 90% Funded by AT&T - The David Pakman Show - Air Date 10-7-21

Right wing conspiracy network OAN turns out to be 90% funded by AT&T

Ch. 6: How Fox News Made Every Moment of the Last 25 Years Worse - The New Abnormal - Air Date 10-7-21

Yes, it’s been 25 years since Fox News came on the air—25 years of “refracting the absolute most absurd and destructive and deadly disinformation and misinformation from the right wing fever swamps,” Carusone tells co-hosts Molly and Jesse.

Ch. 7: What 25 Years Of Fox News Poison Have Done To America - All In - Air Date 10-8-21

Chris Hayes marks 25 years of dangerous lies from Fox News: “There is a direct pipeline from what appears on Fox News to the absolute worst manifestations, worst behavior, worst elements of our politics and society.”


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Former Fox News Reporter Tells All - David Pakman Show - Air Date 2-05-13

Archive clip from Ridiculing Fox isn't just fun, it's important (Media) - Best of the Left - Archives - Air Date 2-28-13

Ch. 9: The biggest difference between Trump and Nixon is Fox News - Impeachment, Explained - Air Date 11-8-19

Nicole Hemmer, the brilliant historian of conservative media, joins to discuss how Fox News and the larger conservative media-verse protects Trump but also lures him into disaster.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on the multi-decade victim mentality of conservatives about the media


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

SHOW IMAGE: 

Description: A slightly distorted Fox News logo sits askew at the center of a hypnotic spiral.

Credits: “Fox News” by Johnny Silvercloud, Flickr | License | Changes: Added hypnotic swirl background, cropped, faded edges || Hypnosis Spiral via Pixabay

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1451_Fox_News_25_Years_Air_Date_10-27-21_Members_-_10-26-21_repost.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:00pm EDT

Air Date 12/24/2022

Today, we compare the far-right religious extremists who are fighting to gain power in the US with the protests against the theocratic regime in Iran supporting women's rights in the country.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

BestOfTheLeft.com/HOLIDAY (BOTL GIFT GUIDE!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: How a new Christian right is changing US politics - BBC News - Air Date 11-28-22

A new battle of faith is being driven by some pastors and politicians in the United States. Their central message is that the country's conservative Christian way of life is under threat, and American society is moving in the wrong direction.

Ch. 2: Women's Rights Activist on Protests Sweeping Iran, the Intensifying Gov't Crackdown & Executions Part 1 - Democracy now! - Air Date 10-15-22

"Iranians voted multiple times for over two decades for some process of reform … but the state has not given in to those demands," she says. "What we're seeing now is the result." Tahmasebi is the director of FEMENA

Ch. 3: The Taliban’s Far-Right Fan Base - VICE - Air Date 10-18-21

In chat rooms and message boards on the darker corners of the web - far-right groups have been praising the Taliban’s takeover, lauding their religious fundamentalism, execution of opponents, and hatred of so-called liberalism.

Ch. 4: Complete Dissatisfaction with the Current Order - Why Protests in Iran Are Not Slowing Down - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-6-22

"Today's movement is not calling for reform. Today's movement is calling for a new vision of politics … with women at the helm of it," says Narges Bajoghli, professor of anthropology and Middle East studies at Johns Hopkins University

Ch. 5: Are We Prepared For Anti-Democratic Extremist Threats? Featuring Peter Montgomery - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 12-15-22

Far Right, Anti-Democratic Extremist groups are not slowing down. Some even have connections with ‘mainstream’ Republican politicians. Peter Montgomery joins Thom Hartmann to discuss the threat the far right still poses.

Ch. 6: Inside the Iran Protests: What You Need to Know Nahid Siamdoust - The Majority Report - Air Date 12-18-22

Sam and Emma host Nahid Siamdoust, Assistant Professor of Middle East and Media Studies at the University of Texas at Austin, to discuss the recent political protests in Iran.

Ch. 7: Republican Leader Trump's Dinner With Racist Forces Reckoning For Normal Americans - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 11-28-22

Rachel Maddow shares some of the fringe perspectives of the racist, Christian fascist who Donald Trump hosted for dinner at Mar-a-Lago

Ch. 8: Women's Rights Activist on Protests Sweeping Iran, the Intensifying Gov't Crackdown & Executions Part 2 - Democracy now! - Air Date 10-15-22


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 9: Will SCOTUS Turn America Into A Theocracy? (w/ Rachel Laser) - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 4-18-22

Joseph Kennedy, a football coach, pressured his students to pray with him. He was asked not pressure students into religion during Public School activities. but he refused. Rachel Laser joined Thom to discuss the case and the pressure on students.

Ch. 10: Hayes: Supreme Court conservative majority is ‘high council of Fox News viewers’ - All In w/ Chris Hayes - Air Date 12-5-22

“Because the conservative majority has tossed away all pretense of being anything other than, essentially, a high council of Fox News viewers, they decided her case should be heard before the Supreme Court,” says Chris Hayes


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 12: Final comments on why Christian Nationalists would be better off not installing a dictatorship


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Direct download: 1533_Christian_Nationalism_Air_Date_12-14-22_General_-_12-24-22_16.07.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 4:23pm EDT

What if California seceded from the United States? If it did, what would happen? Would it usher in a new era of peace and prosperity? Or plunge the US into a new civil war? This is The Last Resort, a new documentary podcast following the rise, fall, and rebirth of CAL EXIT: the campaign for Californian Independence. It’s a story about a dream for a new progressive utopia on the West Coast. It’s about the fight for America’s future. And it’s also a tale of two friends who started on the political fringe and ended up in the middle of a still-unfolding global criminal conspiracy involving the FBI and Russian Intelligence. Coming October 18th from Interval Presents and Awfully Nice. Narrated by Xiuhtezcatl.

Binge all episodes of The Last Resort available now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts!

Direct download: The_Last_Resort_12.22.22_-_12-22-22_12.56.mp3
Category:MP3 -- posted at: 1:02pm EDT

Original Air Date: 12-1-22

Today, Jay!, Amanda and Deon discuss:

- That the youth are doing away with "You're welcome"

- Words Matter: Building solidarity or maintaining power structures through vocatives

- The power play of intentional misnaming

- Ye's name, ego and run for president

 

Connect our Discord Community

 

References:

A scorching hot take on why younger people say 'no problem' instead of 'you're welcome.' 

Words Matter by Sally McConnell-Ginet 

HOW TO PRONOUNCE YE AND MEANING OF KANYE’S NEW NAME EXPLAINED 

Trump faulted for dinner with white nationalist, rapper Ye 

 

Leave a message at 202-999-3991

 

Produced by:

Jay! Tomlinson

Thanks for listening!

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft 

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Review the show on Apple Podcasts!

Direct download: Bonus_Show_260_Sample_-_12-20-22_13.04.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 1:16pm EDT

Air Date 12/17/2022

Today, we take a look at the fringe philosophy of accelerationism that is having a bigger impact on society than you will likely have realized as it's been behind some of the worst terror attacks in recent years and is likely behind attacks on infrastructure targeting society as a whole.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

BestOfTheLeft.com/HOLIDAY (BOTL GIFT GUIDE!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Dystopian Philosophy You've Never Heard Of - Philion - Air Date 6-26-22

Explaining the origins of Accelerationism

Ch. 2: A Foiled Plot in Texas: The Threat of Violent Fringe Online Networks - Tech Against Terrorism - Air Date 2-22-22

Matt Kriner is an intelligence analyst with almost a decade of experience researching and analyzing US domestic violent extremists, transnational far-right extremism, and radicalization.

Ch. 3: “It only takes a few” - White Hot Hate - Air Date 11-28-21

Some members of The Base are planning deadly attacks that they hope will spark a race war. Will they be stopped, before it's too late?

Ch. 4: Proud Boys, January 6, and When a U-Haul Is a Clown Car - Angry Planet - Air Date 6-17-22

So, it’s time to look again at what this group — and related groups — did on January 6, and just how dangerous they really are. We’ll also talk about accelerationism, what it is and what accelerationists want.

Ch. 5: Right-Wing, Domestic Terror Eyed In N.C. Infrastructure Sabotage As Facts Remain Elusive - The Rachel Maddow Show - Air Date 12-6-22

Rachel Maddow looks at a mysterious gun attack on electricity infrastructure in North Carolina and how it lines up with a past attack in California in 2013 and a DOJ case this year against white supremacists in Ohio.

Ch. 6: Accelerationism: The International Apocalyptic Doctrine That's Unifying the Far Right - World Affairs Council Monterey Bay - Air Date 5-29-21

Accelerationism is a doctrine of revolutionary violence that holds that society is irreparably broken and must be destroyed. In recent years it has caught on among a variety of disparate movements throughout the world.

Ch. 7: The seductive dangers of speed - RSA Podcasts - Air Date 7-5-17

The accelerating pace of political and economic change can be disorienting – but, for some, change isn’t happening fast enough. Matthew Taylor is joined by the journalist Andy Beckett and philosophers Benjamin Noys and Nina Power


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Why We’re All Rooting for the Apocalypse - Wisecrack - Air Date 4-8-22

The apocalypse has never been more omnipresent in the cultural zeitgeist. But why are we all so convinced that the world is going to end, and do we have a moral obligation to prevent this gnarly fate?


VOICEMAILS

Ch. 9: Sign that union card and support striking unions! - Nick From California

UAW-UC Academic Workers Strike Support and Hardship Fund


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments giving some helpful advice to White supremacists looking to start a race war


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A young white man dressed in a black hoodie with the hood over his hat is looking away from the camera while wearing a black mask with the image of the lower half of a skull on it. A lit torch is next to him in the foreground. A lit structure and a crowd of people are visible in the background.

Credit: “Face of the streets” by spoilt.exile, Flickr | License CC by 2.0 | Changes: Cropped

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1532_Accelerationism_Air_Date_12-17-22_General_-_12-17-22_18.17.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:34pm EDT

Air Date 12/13/2022

Today, we take a look at the labor dispute within our freight rail industry as well as other unionization fights that corporations are vehemently opposing while the Democrats and Biden, the "most pro-labor president ever" are doing precious little to help.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

BestOfTheLeft.com/HOLIDAY (BOTL GIFT GUIDE!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Railroaded - Bad Faith - Air Date 12-1-22

Union train engineer Ross Grooters returns to the podcast along with The Real News' Maximilian Alvarez, and Bad Faith newbie and co-host of Well There's Your Problem Justin Roczniak.

Ch. 2: The People's Guide To Power - The Power Of Labor - The Brain Lehrer Show - Air Date 10-23-22

Labor unions represent workers in conversations with their employers. Can a political party represent workers in our government? Sochie Nnaemeka talks about some of the policies and politics behind the party's agenda.

Ch. 3: Biden, Congressional Dems Partner with GOP, Media to Discipline Rail Labor - Citations Needed - Air Date 11-30-22

We are joined by Real News' Mel Buer and Max Alvarez to discuss the media campaign to obscure Biden and Congressional Dems selling out rail workers.

Ch. 4: Railroaded Part 2 - Bad Faith - Air Date 12-1-22

Union train engineer Ross Grooters returns to the podcast along with The Real News' Maximilian Alvarez, and Bad Faith newbie and co-host of Well There's Your Problem Justin Roczniak.

Ch. 5: John Logan on Amazon & Starbucks Organizing - CounterSpin - Air Date 10-7-22

With tens of thousands of workers walking out around the country, the notion that this is somehow not meaningful should be hard to maintain.

Ch. 6: Instability - Capitalism's Constant - Economic Update with Richard Wolff - Air Date 12-1-22

Prof. Wolff presents updates on the Twitter-Musk scandals, critique of profit as a return on risk, and mass European union-led strikes against inflation.

Ch. 7: How to show solidarity with railroad workers - The Real News Podcast - Air Date 11-16-22

In a special panel co-hosted by The Real News and Haymarket Books, Railroad Workers United members speak about their struggle, the situation on the rails, and how you can get involved in efforts to support them.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Wall Street is holding the supply chain hostage to stop a railroad workers' strike - The Real News Podcast - Air Date 9-15-22

Maximilian Alvarez interviews Matt Parker, a full-time locomotive engineer who’s worked on the railroads for 19 years. Parker also serves part-time as Chairman on the Nevada State Legislative Board of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers and Trainmen.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on the hot mess of the fight for labor rights


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1531_Railroad_Labor_Fight_Air_Date_12-13-22_General_-_12-13-22_17.28.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:59pm EDT

Original Air Date 11/9/2021

Today we take a look at the Facebook business model that is driving hate, lies, violence, extremism, and the breakdown of democracy around the world as well as some of the regulatory ideas geared toward reigning it in and mitigating the damage.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows & Bonus Content)

BestOfTheLeft.com/HOLIDAY (BOTL GIFT GUIDE!)


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: The Facebook Papers Docs Reveal Tech Giants Complicity in Hate, Lies & Violence Around the World Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-26-21

UCLA professor Ramesh Srinivasan, who says the papers confirm what many critics have warned about for years. “This new form of digital capitalism that I believe Facebook is trailblazing is one that is playing with our intimate emotions on every level."

Ch. 2: Facebook Whistleblower Frances Haugen in Conversation Part 1 - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 10-18-21

Tristan and Aza go behind the headlines with Frances herself. We go deeper into the problems she exposed, discuss potential solutions, and explore her motivations — along with why she fundamentally believes change is possible.

Ch. 3: Hate and Lies On Facebook: They're Even Worse In India Part 1 - Brian Lehrer A Daily Politics Podcast - Air Date 10-27-21

We've been hearing about revelations from the leaked 'Facebook Papers.' What has the social media giant been doing, and what they haven't been doing, around the world? Guest: Sheera Frenkel, New York Times technology reporter.

Ch. 4: Zuckerberg's Metaverse - TyskySour - Air Date 10-29-21

Facebook is now Meta, and Mark Zuckerberg says our future is in the Metaverse. Is virtual reality the future of the internet, or Zuckerberg’s latest gimmick? With Michael Walker and Aaron Bastani.

Ch. 5: The Facebook Papers Docs Reveal Tech Giants Complicity in Hate, Lies & Violence Around the World Part 2 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 10-26-21

Ch. 6: Hate and Lies On Facebook: They're Even Worse In India Part 2 - Brian Lehrer A Daily Politics Podcast - Air Date 10-27-21

Ch. 7: Facebook Whistleblower Frances Haugen in Conversation Part 2 - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 10-18-21


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Facebook Whistleblower Frances Haugen in Conversation Part 3 - Your Undivided Attention - Air Date 10-18-21

Ch. 9: The Science Fiction Origins of the Metaverse - On the Media - Air Date 11-5-21

Jill Lepore, Harvard historian and New Yorker staff writer; Gene Seymour culture critic with work in Newsday, the Nation, etc; and Annalee Newitz science fiction author and science journalist, on the makings (and potential mishaps) of the metaverse.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 10: Final comments on Facebooks treatment of nonprofits and the actions you can take to call for regulation


TAKE ACTION!

Take part in The Facebook Logout, Nov. 10th-13th via Kairos & coalition - Read the demands

Call on DOJ, SEC, and FTC to Open Criminal Investigations into Facebook Execs via American Economic Liberties Project & MoveOn.org

Curated by BOTL Communications Director Amanda Hoffman 


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

SHOW IMAGE:

Description: A cardboard cutout of Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg wearing a black shirt that says "FACEBOOK" and holding a flag (referencing his infamous July 4th video where he rode a hydrofoil on a lake while holding a giant American flag). The flag is dark blue with white text that says "I know we harm kids, but i don't care." with a Facebook icon. A roadway with cars and a building with scaffolding can be seen in the background.

Credit: "Zuckerberg_Sum_Of_Us_2" by SumOfUs, Flickr | License | Changes: Cropped, enhanced brightness, contrast and saturation

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Direct download: 1454_Facebook_Papers_Air_Date_11-9-21_Members_-_11-9-21_Repost.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:18pm EDT

Air Date 12/6/2022

Today, we take a look at some of the factors driving hyper-partisanship in the US right now along with multiple arguments to not give up on the power of persuasion. 

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

BestOfTheLeft.com/HOLIDAY (BOTL GIFT GUIDE!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: What If We Don't Need To 'Fix' Polarization? - The NPR Politics Podcast - Air Date 3-20-21

NPR's Danielle Kurtzleben interviews Lilliana Mason, associate professor of Government and Politics at the University of Maryland, about her book Uncivil Agreement.

Ch. 2: Getting Past Polarization: Anand Giridharadas - Ideas - Air Date 11-23-22

The extremes are extreme in U.S. politics. But Anand Giridharadas and some other progressives are convinced that there are uncompromising approaches that can move up to 60 percent of voters to value democracy and human rights.

Ch. 3: How to fix our polarized conversations (with Robb Willer) - How to Be a Better Human - Air Date 2-1-21

Is your family, community, or even your country more divided than ever? Today’s guest Robb Willer is here to share some compelling insights on how we might bridge the ideological divide and offer some intuitive advice on ways to be more persuasive.

Ch. 4: Can persuasion bridge the political divide? - Front Burner - Air Date 11-25-22

In his book, Giridharadas speaks with experts on reaching people — organizers, activists, politicians, cognitive scientists, and even a cult deprogrammer — and takes a critical look at his fellow American progressives.

Ch. 5: Why We're So Polarized - The Truth of the Matter - Air Date 10-25-21

Johns Hopkins University professor Dr. Lillianna Mason joins the podcast for a discussion of political polarization in the U.S. and how politics have become central to the identities of many Americans across racial, religious and cultural lines.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 6: An innovative polling model can move us past political polarization - The Future of Everything - Air Date 6-24-22

A Stanford professor explains how the deliberative polling model can get people to listen to one another and even compromise on some of society’s most complex policy issues.


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 7: Final comments on hyper-partisanship in the ballot box


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1530_Hyper-Partisanship_Air_Date_12-6-22_General_-_12-6-22_21.00.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:26pm EDT

Air Date 12/3/2022

Today, we take a look at the mega-companies that touch all of our lives and the monopolistic practices that have been developed to keep power and wealth concentrated with the few while the rest of us get screwed. 

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

Join our Discord community!


OUR AFFILIATE LINKS:

BestOfTheLeft.com/HOLIDAY (BOTL GIFT GUIDE!)

ExpressVPN.com/BestOfTheLeft GET INTERNET PRIVACY WITH EXPRESS VPN!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Tech Monopolies - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 6-13-22

John Oliver discusses tech monopolies, and how to address the hidden harm they can do.

Ch. 2: How Ticketmaster Is Destroying Live Music - More Perfect Union - Air Date 10-19-22

Ticketmaster is destroying live music. Their scam fees now cost as much as 78% of a ticket. They control the events, the venues, and even the artists. There’s a movement pushing the Justice Department to take on its monopoly. Cory Doctorow breaks it down.

Ch. 3: Corporate Greed Is Causing Inflation But The Rich Blame Workers - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 11-16-22

Not since the Great Depression have corporate profits soared so high. But it is not enough to satisfy them. More than 54% of the inflation America is experiencing is caused by record-setting corporate profits.

Ch. 4: Why Food Prices Could Skyrocket Thanks to This Grocery Merger - More Perfect Union - Air Date 11-14-22

Safeway, Ralphs, Smiths, Harris Teeters, Shaws, Kings, Randalls, and about 25 other brands, will all be owned by a single company if the Kroger-Albertsons merger goes through. And that’s really bad news for the prices you pay.

Ch. 5: Chokepoint Capitalism (with Cory Doctorow and Rebecca Giblin) - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 11-1-22

Novelist Cory Doctorow and intellectual property expert Rebecca Giblin discuss their new book, Chokepoint Capitalism, which documents the increasing tensions between extractive corporations and creative laborers.

Ch. 6: Making The Case For Abolishing Billionaires - MSNBC - Air Date 11-21-22

"One after another, four of our best-known billionaires laid waste to the image of benevolent saviors carefully cultivated by their class," Anand Giridharadas writes in a recent New York Times column.

Ch. 7: Elon Musk Is An Idiot (and so are Zuck and SBF) - Adam Conover - Air Date 11-23-22

Tech CEOs aren't geniuses, and here's the proof.


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 8: Chokepoint Capitalism (with Cory Doctorow and Rebecca Giblin) Part 2 - Pitchfork Economics with Nick Hanauer - Air Date 11-1-22


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 9: Final comments on how regulation helps stop financial scams


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions):

  • Opening Theme: Loving Acoustic Instrumental by John Douglas Orr 
  • Voicemail Music: Low Key Lost Feeling Electro by Alex Stinnent
  • Activism Music: This Fickle World by Theo Bard (https://theobard.bandcamp.com/track/this-fickle-world)
  • Closing Music: Upbeat Laid Back Indie Rock by Alex Stinnent

 

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere!

Follow at Twitter.com/BestOfTheLeft

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1529_Monopolies_Air_Date_12-3-22_General_-_12-3-22_16.38.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 7:24pm EDT

Original Air Date: 11-5-22
Today, Jay!, Amanda, Deon and Erin discuss:
- The Neverending Story
- Instilling distrust through abuse
- More on collectivist storytelling
- Joseph Campbell and the myth of the monomyth
- The politics of public toilets and potty training
 
 
References:
Leave a message at 202-999-3991
 
Produced by:
Jay! Tomlinson
Thanks for listening!
Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com
Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com
Review the show on Apple Podcasts!
Direct download: Bonus_Show_259_Sample_Holiday_-_12-2-22_17.45.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:52pm EDT

Air Date 11/30/2022

Today, we take a look at the context of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar including the labor abuses endemic in the construction of the facilities, the authoritarianism and anti-LGBTQ policies of the Qatari government, and the corruption fundamental to the inner working of FIFA that brought the tournament to Qatar in the first place.

Be part of the show! Leave us a message at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com 

Transcript

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Get AD FREE Shows and Bonus Content)

BestOfTheLeft.com/HOLIDAY (BOTL GIFT GUIDE!)

Join our Discord community!


SHOW NOTES

Ch. 1: Qatar and a World Cup controversy - Front Burner - Air Date 11-10-22

In the decade since Qatar won its bid to host this year's tournament, allegations of bribery, discrimination and human rights abuses have threatened to overshadow the game.

Ch. 2: What Does Qatar Want? - Pro Revolution Soccer - Air Date 11-25-22

Tom speaks to Lebanese writer and activist Ali Reda about why Gulf petrostates are investing billions into football – particularly in the north of England – and what the British state gets out of the deal.

Ch. 3: Qatar and the World Cup of Shame - Burn It All Down - Air Date 4-20-21

We discuss the (longstanding) controversy around the Qatar 2022 FIFA Men's World Cup including the ongoing inhumane working conditions and indentured servitude for migrant laborers building stadiums that have led to at least 6,500 deaths

Ch. 4: World Cup: Welcome to Qatar! - Today, Explained - Air Date 11-4-22

Soccer is sometimes called “the second religion of the Arab World,” and Qatar is the region’s first country to host the World Cup.

Ch. 5: Qatar World Cup: FIFA president defends tournament in extraordinary speech - Channel 4 News - Air Date 11-19-22

FIFA's President Gianni Infantino gave an extraordinary speech in which he railed against Western hypocrisy over migrant workers

Ch. 6: 'One Love' campaign hit by threat of FIFA sanctions - DW News - Air Date 11-21-22

The threat of sanctions has resulted in the seven European nations who had signed up to the One Love campaign, including England and Germany, announcing their decision to abandon plans to wear the rainbow-themed captain’s armbands.

Ch. 7: Boom in demand for 'One Love' arm bands banned by FIFA - FRANCE 24 English - Air Date 11-24-22

The "One Love" armbands that captains of some teams at the World Cup had been intending to wear to show support for the LGBTQ+ community are seeing a boom in demand among the general public after FIFA decided to ban players from wearing the armbands.

Ch. 8: Qatar World Cup - Last Week Tonight with John Oliver - Air Date 11-21-22

John Oliver discusses the Qatar World Cup, the human rights violations happening in the sporting event’s host country, and what perfection really means to David Beckham.

Ch. 9: Human Rights and the Qatar World Cup - Global Dispatches -- World News That Matters - Air Date 11-16-22

In this episode, we speak with Michael Page, deputy director in the Middle East and North Africa division at Human Rights Watch We discuss how and why migrant workers were exploited in Qatar and then have a conversation about human rights


MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S)

Ch. 10: How FIFA corrupted the World Cup - Vox - Air Date 11-23-22

FIFA announced the 2022 World Cup would take place in a surprising country, Qatar. At that same meeting, they also announced that the 2018 World Cup would take place in Russia. These selections set off a new chapter in FIFA’s history


FINAL COMMENTS

Ch. 11: Final comments on the propaganda master class put on by the president of FIFA

Reference: FIFA President Gianni Infantino Press conference


MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Direct download: 1528_World_Cup_Qatar_Air_Date_11-30-22_General_-_11-30-22_20.05.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 8:49pm EDT