Fri, 31 May 2024
Original Air Date: 9/19/2017 Today we look not so much at hurricanes and the climate science behind them (though we touch on that as well) but focus more on what we can see more clearly when it’s illuminated by so-called “natural” disasters, the structural inequality and legacies of decision-making that make these disasters worse than they need to be BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Show NotesAct 3: Breaking News Consumer's Handbook: U.S. Storm Edition - On The Media - Air Date 9-1-17 Act 5: Preventing future floods with data and regulation - @DecodeDC - Air Date: 09-14-2017 Act 6: The Human Causes of Natural Disasters - Popaganda from @BitchMedia - Air Date 12-8-16 (Music from Blue Dot Sessions) EDUCATE YOURSELF: We will not be silenced. Stand up for a strong NEPA! (Earth Justice) Trump CEQ rolls out plans for swift NEPA reviews (Governors' Wind & Solar Energy Coalition) US people of color still more likely to be exposed to pollution than white people (The Guardian) Christine Todd Whitman: How Not to Run the E.P.A. (New York Times) Boston Communities Unite to Democratize Their Economy (Next City) Written by BOTL Communications Director, Amanda Hoffman
Direct download: 1134_Unnatural_Disasters_Hurricanes_and_Humans_General.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST |
Tue, 28 May 2024
#1632 SiliCON Valley: The False Promises, Enshittification Economics, and Misguided Adventures of the Twits of Tech
Air Date 5/28/2024 Today we look at the most disappointing yet most idolized false heroes of our day, the titans of tech and the zany hijinks they've been getting up to recently. Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!) KEY POINTS 1: When a tech company like OpenAI doesn't get the dark message at the heart of science fiction 2: How Peter Thiel Got Rich | The Class Room ft. Second Thought 3: Google's Sundar Pichai on AI-powered search and the future of the web 4: Elon's Reputation is Hurting Tesla 5: Crypto’s crown prince in court 6: The Entire OpenAI Chaos Explained 7: Scarlett Johansson's Open AI voice fight shows the need for consent in tech 8: Fascism and the Failure of Imagination
1:03:38 NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the misplaced excitement in private corporations pushing big technological advancements 1:09:33 DEEPER DIVE A: THAT WORD YOU KEEP USING… 1:36:58 B: SiliCON VALLEY, emphasis on the CON 1:53:05 C: MICROSOFT THE DESTROYER 2:10:35 D: THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE SHOW IMAGE: Description: Composite image where the faces of Sam Altman, Peter Thiel, Sam Bankman-Fried, and Elon Musk are seen through an overlay of stock prices and a growth chart arrow. Credits: Composite by A. Hoffman. Photos: 1) "Open AI co-founder & CEO Sam Altman" by TechCrunch, Flickr | CC BY 2.0 ; 2) "Peter Thiel" by Gage Skidmore, Flickr | CC BY 2.0 ; 3) "Sam Bankman-Fried" by Cointelegraph, Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 3.0 ; 4) "Elon Musk Presenting Tesla's Fully Autonomous Future" by Steve Jurvetson, Wikimedia Commons | CC BY 2.0
Direct download: 1632_Tits_of_Tech_Air_Date_5-28-24_-_5-26-24_17.19.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST |
Sun, 26 May 2024
Air Date: 5-26-24
The Gap Between the Price You See and What You Pay Is Getting Worse Welcome to the Golden Age of User Hostility Bought a Model Y? Tesla may charge you to use the battery’s full range Corporate America Knows We’re Miserable. Is a Toilet Bomb the Answer? Billy Bragg - Not Everything That Counts Can Be Counted
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Direct download: General_Sample_-_304_-_Not_everything_that_counts_can_be_counted.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:56pm EST |
Fri, 24 May 2024
#1631 Body Neutrality in the World of Ozempic: Reassessing Weight, Body Positivity, Physical and Mental Health, and even the Economics of Body Size
Air Date 5/24/2024 Assessing the impacts of new diet drugs on physical and mental health in the context of our unhealthy food system and societal fat phobia Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!) KEY POINTS KP 1: The world after Ozempic - The Gray Area - Air Date 5-13-24 KP 2: The Ozempic economy - Today, Explained - Air Date 2-23-24 KP 5: Body Neutrality - What The Actual Fork Podcast - Air Date 8-11-23 KP 7: What Ozempic can't fix - Today, Explained - Air Date 2-26-34
(56:10) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the metaphor of the new show format (1:01:22) DEEPER DIVE A: BUSINESS OF DESIRE A1: Examining America's Unhealthy Obsession... Part 2 A2: The Ozempic economy Part 2 (1:20:48) DEEPER DIVE B: BIAS AND RISK B1: What Ozempic can't fix Part 2 B3: What Ozempic can't fix Part 3 (1:31:00) DEEPER DIVE C: BODY NEUTRALITY MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions) SHOW IMAGE: Description: Overhead photo of a bunch of Ozempic pens in a plastic pharmacy basket. Credit: "Bundle of Ozempic Pens" by Chemist4U, Flickr | License: CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped
Direct download: 1631_Body_Neutrality_Air_Date_5-24-24_General_-_5-22-24_18.32.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST |
Tue, 21 May 2024
#1630 Unrivaled Global Arms Dealer: Officially and Illegally Exporting the US Gun Culture Around the World
Air Date 5/21/2024 Whether by the US government playing matchmaker for the domestic weapons industry or through the illegal trade of the 'iron river,' the US is the leading seller of weapons around the world, fueling violence and conflict, oppression and rights abuses. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!) FRONTPAGE FP 1: US Leads Global Arms Sales - American Prestige - Air Date 3-15-24 FP 2: How Washington Plays Matchmaker For The US Gun Industry Part 1 - Big Take - Air Date 10-30-23 FP 3: Can a lawsuit stop Mexico’s ‘iron river’ of guns? - The Take - Air Date 8-13-21
(1:02:19) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the problems with looking for good or bad intentions (1:08:24) SECTION A: A1: Inside Biden's Secret Arms Deal - Deconstructed - Air Date 9-22-23 (1:30:10) SECTION B: B1: Can Mexico win... Part 2 - The Inquiry - Air Date 3-7-24 (1:42:43) SECTION C: C1: Why America's police look like soldiers - Vox - Air Date 6-25-20 C2: Why US gun laws get looser after mass shootings - Vox - Air Date 7-28-22 MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions) SHOW IMAGE: Description: A square version of the American flag with silhouettes of guns and bombs in place of white stars. Three bombs are falling from the pattern across the red and white stripes. Credit: Pixabay image modified by A.Hoffman
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Direct download: 1630_Arms_Sales_Air_Date_5-21-24_General_-_5-19-24_10.35.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST |
Sun, 19 May 2024
Original Air Date: 5/9/2015 Today we take a look at the continuing failure that is the War on Drugs™ as well as some of the signs of hope that we may be making progress toward shutting it down Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!) SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Is Marijuana Harmful to Health? - Healthcare Triage (@HCTriage) - Air Date: 04-19-14 Ch. 2: Man Gets 13 Years in Prison for 2 Joints Worth of Pot - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 03-13-15 Ch. 3: Legalized Marijuana = Millions For Public Schools In Colorado - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 03-16-15 Ch. 6: Rand Paul & Others Introduce National Medical Marijuana Bill - @davidpakmanshow - Air Date: 03-11-15 Ch. 7: Hillary Clinton, Bernie Sanders Talk Drugs - Majority Report (@majorityfm) - Air Date: 06-01-15 Ch. 8: Marijuana Shows Medical Value, Feds Don't Give A Sh*t - @theyoungturks - Air Date: 04-12-15 MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)
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Direct download: 929_-_Looking_to_avert_further_tragedy_War_on_Drugs_-_General_-_5-17-24_17.28.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST |
Fri, 17 May 2024
BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Hear the Full Show, Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Air Date: 5-16-24 REFERENCES: Social Media is Not What Killed the Web Mega drive-throughs explain everything wrong with American cities Car Washes are proliferating across the U.S. Here’s why Why are they building so many car washes? And storage facilities? Tokyo’s Public Toilets Will Leave New Yorkers Sobbing The Global Danger of Boring Buildings
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Wed, 15 May 2024
#1629 Hitting Where it Hurts in Our Era of Negative Partisanship: Messaging left-wing politics amid cultish politics
Air Date 5/15/2024 In an age of cultish in-group/out-group politics and media, we seek to find messaging for progressive partisans to achieve electoral success Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) FRONTPAGE FP 1: Everything's a cult now - The Gray Area FP 2: Examining how U.S. politics became intertwined with personal identity - PBS NewsHour FP 3: Jason Stanley on the Politics of Language - Amanpour and Company FP 4: A Conversation About How Dems Can Win in November with Rachel Bitecofer - Deep State Radio FP 5: Employ Negative Partisanship w. Rachel Bitecofer - Future Hindsight FP 6: Everything's ... Part 2 FP 7: Hit 'Em Where It Hurts ... Part 2 FP 8: Employ Negative ... Part 2 (59:24) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the importance of finding common-but-adaptable messaging (1:02:14) SECTION A: IDENTITY A2: Examining how U.S. ... Part 2 (1:10:14) SECTION B: POLITICAL RHETORIC B1: 'Hit 'Em Where It Hurts' urges Dems to go on attack - Morning Joe B2: 'Our message resonated with voters' - Morning Joe B3: Watch VP Harris slams Trump over abortion access - MSNBC (1:26:17) SECTION C: MESSAGING C2: Republican Policies VERY Unpopular With Voters - The Majority Report C4: Employ Negative ... Part 3 (1:50:33) SECTION D: INDEPENDENTS
Direct download: 1629_Negative_Partisanship.Cults_Air_Date_5-14-24_General_-_5-14-24_18.38.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST |
Sat, 11 May 2024
Air Date 5/11/2024 The effort to turn theory into practice that will open up new ways of thinking about antitrust lawsuits attempting to rein in big tech and other mega-corporations, which are operating in a new phase of capitalism. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!) SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: FTC Chair Lina Khan on Antitrust in the age of Amazon - Planet Money - Air Date 11-3-23 On today's show, a conversation with FTC Chair Lina Khan on what it's like to try to turn audacious theory into bureaucratic practice, the FTC's new lawsuit against Amazon, and what it all means for business as usual. Ch. 2: Apple's Antitrust Problem - Professor Talha Syed - The BTLJ Podcast - Air Date 3-10-24 Professor Syed reveals his thoughts and assessment of the new Brandeis movement, headed by Lina Khan and Jonathan Kanter of the FTC and DOJ. Ch. 3: FTC Chair Lina Khan on Antitrust in the age of Amazon Part 2 - Planet Money - Air Date 11-3-23 Ch. 4: How to Fight Monopoly Power with FTC Chair Lina Khan - Factually! - Air Date 11-8-23 Lina Khan, appointed chair of the Federal Trade Commission by President Biden, has become the foremost voice of this movement and has engaged in high-profile battles to reshape how America deals with monopolies.
MEMBERS-ONLY BONUS CLIP(S) Ch. 8: Real Estate Fees Crushed By Anti-Trust w David Dayen - The Majority Report - Air Date 3-26-24 FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on the new show format tried out in the campus protesters episode as well as a retraction MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions) SHOW IMAGE: Description: A court document with “Antitrust” at the top sits on a desk with a gavel and block on top. Credit: “Antitrust” by Nick Youngson via Pix4free | License: CC BY-SA 3.0 | Changes: Added solid background
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Direct download: 1628_Antitrust_movement_Air_Date_5-11-24_General_-_5-11-24_18.01.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 9:14pm EST |
Tue, 7 May 2024
#1627 Campus Protests and the Crackdown: Civil resistance against Israeli genocide in Gaza, responses from university presidents to Biden
Air Date 5/7/2024 Civil resistance on campuses across the country against Israeli genocide in Gaza calling for cease fire and divestment, university administrations up to the Biden administration respond, often with overwhelming violence and claims of antisemitism. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) FRONTPAGE FP 1: The US college protests... - Today in Focus - Air Date 4-25-24 FP 2: Behind Columbia... - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 4-24-24 (47:13) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR (50:54) SECTION A: POLICE RESPONSES A1: Atlanta Police Violently Arrest Emory... - Democracy Now! - Air Date 4-26-24 A2: Juan González, Veteran of '68 Columbia Strike... - Democracy Now! - Air Date 5-1-24 (1:06:59) SECTION B: INSIDE THE PROTESTS B1: Pro-Israel THUGS Attack... - Owen Jones - Air Date 5-1-24 B2: Live from the Encampments - CODEPINK Radio - Air Date 5-1-24 (1:34:52) SECTION C: BIDEN'S POLITICS AND ACCUSATIONS OF ANTISEMITISM C1: Nicholas Kristof ... Part 2 - Brian Lehrer - Air Date 4-26-24 C2: Manufactured Panic Over Peaceful... - The Majority Report - Air Date 4-23-24 (1:57:05) SECTION D: UNIVERSITY ADMINS AND ENDOWMENTS D1: Why Colleges Have No Idea... - The Muckrake Political Podcast - Air Date 4-23-24 D2: Columbia University President ... - The Bitchuation Room - Air Date 4-27-24 (2:37:42) SECTION E: MEDIA CRITICISM
IMAGE Description: A photo of a lawn in front of a university building at Vassar College showing students standing near tents, a sign that reads "Liberation," and a Palestinian flag along a walkway. Credit: "Liberation Lawn at Vassar College (cropped)" by Found5dollar, Wikimedia | License: CC BY-SA 4.0 | Changes: Cropped
Direct download: 1627_Campus_Protests_Air_Date_5-7-24_General_-_5-10-24_15.09.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 5:23pm EST |
Sun, 5 May 2024
Bonus Sample #302 Satire requires a clarity of purpose and target lest it be mistaken for and contribute to that which it intends to criticize.
Air Date: 5-5-24 Jerry Seinfeld Is a Lazy Hack Out of Touch with the Real World—And Who Can Blame Him? ‘In the Know’ Showrunners Unpack Its Loving Evisceration of Public Radio, Progressive Politics Zach Woods, NPR Fan, Reads NPR Fans for Filth Exclusive: In the Know's Zach Woods and Brandon Gardner on Satirizing Liberals with Mike Judge The Cleaner - S2 E5 The Statue (Acorn)
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Direct download: 302_-_Satirizing_the_Left_-_Sample_Bonus_Show_-_5-5-24_4.12_PM.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 6:26pm EST |
Fri, 3 May 2024
#1626 Remix - Protest Crackdown: Power Concedes Nothing Without a Demand and the Response is Predictable
Air Date 5/3/2024 A look back at previous coverage of criminalizing protests, weaponizing civility, and violent responses to peaceful dissent. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!) SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: The Problem with Civility - On the Media - Air Date 6-30-18 Ch. 2: Criminalizing Protest - @USNewsBeat - Air Date 6-14-18 Ch. 3: Civility as a cudgel - Trumpcast - Air Date 6-30-18 Ch. 4: Protests Sweep Across America and Beyond Part 2 - The Daily Show - Air Date 6-9-20 Ch. 6: Anti-Protest Bills Popping Up Everywhere - David Pakman Show - Air Date 8-19-20 Ch. 7: Elly Page on Anti-Protest Bills - CounterSpin - Air Date 4-23-21 Ch. 8: Not Ready For That Conversation - On The Media - Air Date 4-23-21 Ch. 9: GOP States Are Pushing for Stricter Penalties for Protesters - The Takeaway - Air Date 4-27-21 Ch. 10: How Corporate Media Protects Violent Cops - Carlos Maza - Air Date 6-4-20 MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions)
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Direct download: Punishing_Protests_-_General_Jays_Edit_-_5-3-24_12.16.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 3:41pm EST |
Wed, 1 May 2024
#1625 Society of Extreme Wealth and its Discontents: Tax avoidance, wealth inequality and the detrimental effects felt by us all
Air Date 5/1/2024 The past, present, and future of tackling the uselessness of extreme wealth by exposing and closing tax avoidance loopholes and pushing for a culture change to embrace the need for a more equal society. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991 or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Clips and Shows + No Ads!) SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: What Happens When You Tax Billionaires at 90 Percent? - The Hartmann Report - Air Date 6-3-23 We did it before, and the result was the creation of the world’s first and largest middle class and a level of peace and prosperity that held its own until Ronald Reagan took a meat-axe to it… If you think school teachers shouldn't pay a higher tax rate than billionaires, join us to learn how you can join in on the fight to #TaxBillionaires! Ch. 3: Wealth Tax Part 1 - Pullback - Air Date 4-11-23 Should we be taxing Scrooge-McDuck wealth? Can we? We talk with friend of the pod Fariya Mohiuddin, a Senior Program Officer with the International Budget Partnership's Tax Equity Program, and our favourite tax justice researcher and activist. If you're serious about alleviating poverty, as most liberals claim to be, should there be a cap on how wealthy one person can be?
FINAL COMMENTS Ch. 12: Final comments on anger and irrationality in war and politics MUSIC (Blue Dot Sessions) SHOW IMAGE: Description: A protester holds a sign that says “Tax the Rich” Credit: “We have a right to the city. Tax the rich.” by dignidadrebelde, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped
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Direct download: 1625_Extreme_Wealth_Air_Date_4-26-24_General_-_4-30-24_17.57.mp3
Category:general -- posted at: 2:30am EST |