The Gist Jason Guriel: Why Culture Got Nicer—and Much Less Useful
Jan 22, 2026
Jason Guriel, a critic and poet known for his cultural insights in "Fan Mail," discusses the evolution of cultural criticism. He argues that without gatekeepers, the abundance of voices leads to confusion rather than democratization. Guriel also examines how social media reshapes poetry into lifestyle branding, diluting artistic standards. They share thoughts on the shift from critical judgment to empty celebration and explore how our fractured attention informs perceptions, using Trump's Davos speech as a prime example.
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Perjury Traps Shape Testimony
- Jack Smith treated congressional questioning as a perjury trap and answered cautiously to avoid future prosecution.
- Mike Pesca argues this shows Republicans aim to punish prosecutors regardless of legal merits.
Prosecutor's Duty To Protect Witnesses
- Mike Pesca recounts Smith's courtroom rationale for nondisclosure: protecting witnesses from threats.
- Smith cited death threats and Trump's statements as justification for secrecy.
Adversary System Beats Congressional Spectacle
- Pesca contrasts congressional hearings with the adversarial system as far less reliable for truth-finding.
- He calls jury trials imperfect but superior to spectacle hearings.
