Members Only #241 - Tinder Trotskyists, Siouxsie and the Nazis, When We Were Kings

In this book, Musa al-Gharbi argues that despite the rise of a new elite who identify as allies of progressive causes such as antiracism, feminism, and LGBTQ rights, social and economic inequalities have continued to grow. These symbolic capitalists, who work primarily with words, ideas, images, and data, genuinely believe in egalitarian principles but inadvertently contribute to and perpetuate the very inequalities they oppose. The book examines how their actions and narratives often provoke backlash against the social justice causes they champion and argues that challenging these self-serving narratives is crucial for addressing social and economic inequality effectively.

The Souls of Yellow Folk is a collection of essays by Wesley Yang, published in 2018. The book includes thirteen essays written between 2008 and 2017, which cover a range of topics including the experiences of Asian-Americans, the concept of recognition and dignity, and reflections on American pop culture and politics. Yang delves into themes such as racial identity, sexual frustration, and the 'model minority' status of Asian Americans, drawing parallels with other thinkers like Francis Fukuyama and W.E. B. Du Bois. Despite its eclectic nature, the book provides insightful commentary on the complexities of being an Asian-American in contemporary America.

In 'The Ethics of Authenticity,' Charles Taylor delves into the concept of authenticity as a central virtue in modern moral thinking. He argues that authenticity involves both the creation and construction of one's self, as well as openness to horizons of significance and self-definition in dialogue with others. Taylor discusses three malaises of modernity: individualism, the primacy of instrumental reasoning, and the soft despotism of modern systems. He emphasizes the need to balance individual expression with a sense of community and shared moral responsibility, highlighting the tension between these aspects and the potential for authenticity to become tyrannical if not recognized by others.