It Could Happen Here Weekly 188

Jun 28, 2025

Richard Farrow, a family practice physician with street medicine experience in Los Angeles, shares insights on the vital role of medical care during protests. He discusses the unique challenges street medics face, the health risks associated with crowd control gases like tear gas, and debunks myths about exposure treatment. The conversation emphasizes the intersection of healthcare and activism, highlighting personal stories that reflect the resilience and commitment of medical professionals to support vulnerable communities amidst civil unrest.

Ask episode

AI Snips

Chapters

Books

Transcript

Episode notes

ANECDOTE

Street Medic's Police Violence Story

Miriam has treated many injuries caused mainly by police violence at protests.
She rarely sees violence among protesters themselves, focusing largely on police-related harm.

INSIGHT

Tear Gas Effects and Fear

Police use chemical irritants like tear gas to cause fear and panic in protesters.
These weapons make people disoriented, causing injuries in chaotic movements during protests.

ADVICE

How To Treat Tear Gas Exposure

Flush eyes exposed to tear gas with clean water immediately and repeatedly.
Avoid unproven remedies like milk or vinegar; water is the safest and most effective treatment.

Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode

Get the app

The Modern World-System

Kapitalistische Agrarwirtschaft und die Ursprünge der europäischen Weltwirtschaft im 16. Jahrhundert

Immanuel Wallerstein

Das Moderne Weltsystem ist eine von Immanuel Wallerstein entwickelte soziologische Theorie, die besagt, dass es ein Weltsystem gibt, in dem einige Länder (die Kernländer) andere Länder (die peripheren Länder) ausbeuten. Die Weltsystem-Theorie basiert auf der marxistischen Theorie des Kapitalismus und der Imperialismus-Theorie. Wallerstein argumentiert, dass die Weltsystem-Theorie dazu beitragen kann, die Ungleichheit zwischen den reichen und armen Ländern der Welt zu verstehen.

Great Transformations

Mark Blyth

Imagined Communities

Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism

Benedict Anderson

In 'Imagined Communities,' Benedict Anderson examines the historical rise and development of nationalism. He argues that nations are not ancient communities but rather modern constructs, imagined by their members as a shared, limited, and sovereign community. Anderson traces the emergence of nationalism to the Americas in the 18th and 19th centuries, where creole elites and the spread of print capitalism played crucial roles. He also discusses how nationalism filled the void left by the decline of religious communities and how it was shaped by factors such as mass vernacular literacy, the abolition of divine right monarchies, and the standardization of national calendars, clocks, and languages. The book is influential in social sciences and has been widely cited and translated into more than thirty languages.

Debt

The First 5,000 Years

David Graeber

In this book, David Graeber argues that debt has a much longer history than money and that it has played a central role in shaping human societies. He debunks the myth of barter as the precursor to money, instead proposing that credit systems and debt were the primary means of trade. Graeber examines how debt has been used as a tool for social control, influenced law, religion, and politics, and has led to periodic crises and debtor revolts throughout history. The book also discusses the moral and social implications of debt, suggesting that the concept of debt is more complex than a simple economic transaction[1][2][4].

Orientalism

Edward Said

In 'Orientalism,' Edward Said critiques the Western construction of the Orient as a place of mystery and exoticism. He argues that Orientalism, as a discipline and worldview, is inherently tied to European imperialism and serves as a powerful instrument of domination. Said examines how Western literature, academia, and politics have perpetuated colonialism and imperialism by creating and reinforcing stereotypes and myths about the East. He traces the development of Orientalism from its roots in the 18th century to its contemporary implications, emphasizing the intimate relationship between knowledge and power and the need to challenge these dominant discourses[1][3][5].

The Art of Not Being Governed

An Anarchist History of Upland Southeast Asia

James C. Scott

James C. Scott's "The Art of Not Being Governed" explores the history and strategies of marginalized communities who have resisted state control. The book focuses on the Zomia region of Southeast Asia, a mountainous area where diverse ethnic groups have maintained their autonomy by evading state power. Scott examines how these communities have used their knowledge of the terrain and their social organization to resist state-led projects and maintain their independence. The book challenges conventional understandings of state power and highlights the resilience of marginalized communities in the face of oppression. Scott's work offers valuable insights into the dynamics of power, resistance, and state formation.

The Clash of Civilizations?

Samuel P. Huntington

In this book, Huntington expands on his 1993 thesis that future wars will be fought not between countries, but between cultures. He argues that the primary axis of conflict in the post–Cold War world will be along cultural lines, with different civilizations, such as Western, Islamic, and Sinic, becoming increasingly significant in analyzing potential conflicts. Huntington also discusses the shift of economic, military, and political power from the West to other civilizations and critiques the Western belief in the universality of its values and political systems[4][5][1].

The New Cold War

David E. Sanger