If Books Could Kill The Worst Takes of 2025 [TEASER]
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Dec 29, 2025 Dive into the hilariously cringe-worthy world of 2025's worst takes! From misguided political pundits to the bizarre desire for romance with computers, the hosts call out the most ludicrous public arguments. They dissect the dangers of normalizing authoritarianism, mock the term 'wife guy,' and criticize Democrats' mishandling of trans rights. With a spotlight on the absurdity of elite commentary, this conversation sheds light on the outrageous misreads that defined the year!
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Both-Sidesing Normalizes Authoritarian Risk
- Both-sidesing punditry obscures clear authoritarian threats by framing everything as balanced disputes.
- Michael Hobbs argues this habit lets obvious dangers like weaponized state power be normalized rather than called out.
Pundits Misread Temporary Politics As Trends
- Early-2025 pundit narratives claiming depoliticization were wildly premature and misread political signals.
- Peter Shamshery highlights that the pundit class repeatedly mistakes temporary optics for durable political shifts.
Cultural Beats Don't Always Move Elections
- The centrist fixation on 'wokeness' persisted despite shifting electoral evidence showing it wasn't decisive.
- Both hosts note outlets like Persuasion kept recycling old cultural critiques that lacked real electoral relevance.