

Episode 502 - "Join Us, We're Libbing Out" (w/ Nathan J. Robinson & Alex Skopic)
12 snips Aug 21, 2025
Nathan J. Robinson, founder of Current Affairs, and Alex Skopic, associate editor at Current Affairs, dive into liberalism's latest controversies surrounding the Substack magazine, The Argument. They critique the gullibility in liberal ideology and the superficial tactics of political figures like Gavin Newsom. The discussion touches on why conservatives can be more ideologically consistent and highlights the systemic changes needed in media and politics. They also explore the moral responsibilities of political leaders and the challenges the left faces as the 2024 election approaches.
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Funded Rebrand Of Centrist Liberalism
- The Argument is a well-funded Substack reboot of centrist liberalism that recruits ex-Atlantic and Vox writers.
- Nathan Robinson and Alex Skopic argue it repackages status-quo protectionism as plausible progress.
Cash Transfer Critiques Are Framing Tricks
- Kelsey Piper's debut criticized cash transfers using small, inadequate pilot studies as evidence.
- Nathan says those studies don't test a true basic income and the framing serves conservative aims.
Critique Needs Constructive Alternatives
- Good critiques of UBI exist but must situate alternatives like price controls and housing policy.
- Alex and Nathan stress critique without constructive alternatives becomes conservative inertia.