Bad Faith

Subscribe to Bad Faith on Patreon to instantly unlock this episode and our entire premium episode library: http://patreon.com/badfaithpodcast Economist & Columbia University professor Jeffrey Sachs returns to Bad Faith to discuss the protests in Iran and rising regional tensions, how western warhawks are framing the conflict, and what we should know about the history that led us here. Subscribe to Bad Faith on YouTube for video of this episode. Find Bad Faith on Twitter (@badfaithpod) and Instagram (@badfaithpod). Produced by Armand Aviram. Theme by Nick Thorburn (@nickfromislands).

Sabrina Salvati, a political streamer and documentary maker behind 'Removed: Black Erasure in Boston,' joins to dive into critical issues. They explore the shooting of Renee Good by ICE, criticizing media narratives and victim vilification. Sabrina discusses the rising support for abolishing ICE and the political implications. She shares insights on gentrification in Boston, detailing its historical roots and consequences. The conversation closes with a touch on local power dynamics and the need for targeted reparations in addressing systemic injustices.

Gabriel Rockhill, a keen scholar and director of the Critical Theory Workshop, dives deep into the pitfalls of the 'compatible left' in this engaging conversation. He critiques intellectuals like Slavoj Žižek and Noam Chomsky for their ties to imperialist agendas, revealing how the Democratic Party aligns with capitalism. Rockhill also emphasizes the tension between tactical and strategic approaches in leftist organizing, and discusses the limitations imposed by state power on true democratization. It's a thought-provoking exploration of modern political dynamics.

Daniel Maté and Matt Lieb, co-hosts of the Bad Hasbara podcast, bring their comedic flair to discussions around Tony Dokoupil's awkward debut on CBS Evening News. They critique his approach and personal disclosures, including an eyebrow-raising recount of adult circumcision. The conversation shifts to the Gaza situation as a moral litmus test for the left, and they tackle the contradictions within the Republican stance on interventionism, especially regarding Venezuela. Plus, they delve into the philosophical themes in Apple TV's 'Pluribus' and the implications of a hive-minded society.

Eugene Puryear, a Breakthrough News journalist and political commentator, returns to explore U.S. actions in Venezuela. He tackles Donald Trump's illegal strike and the mainstream media's complicity in supporting it. Eugene unpacks the U.S. strategies to undermine Venezuela's government and the historical context of oil control. Additionally, he discusses the implications of promoting Maria Corina Machado and possible outcomes following the strike. The conversation also addresses the broader implications of U.S. intervention in Latin America.

Join investigative journalist Kit Klarenberg, known for his incisive reports on surveillance and the intelligence industry, as he dives deep into the implications of Israel's recognition of Somaliland. Klarenberg connects this geopolitical shift to wider narratives of displacement in Gaza and examines how Israeli technology facilitates surveillance. The discussion touches on anti-Somali sentiment in the U.S. and the role of lobbying in shaping domestic policies, all while navigating the complexities of identity and historical context in Somaliland.

Émile Torres, a philosopher and co-host of the Dystopia Now podcast, joins a thought-provoking conversation about existential risks and the promises of transhumanism. He critiques the idea of AI ushering in human extinction, addressing how tech elites like Larry Page rationalize species replacement. The discussion touches on self-interested motives behind transhumanism and compares them to modern elitist behaviors. Torres also weighs the implications of genetic preservation and highlights the link between tech billionaires and societal hierarchies.

Join historian and journalist Vijay Prashad as he unpacks the complexities of race and merit in today’s political landscape. He critically examines a recent article suggesting discrimination against white millennial men and discusses how this narrative plays into conservative rhetoric. Vijay argues that the left often shies away from engaging with race, especially after its weaponization during the Bernie era. Delve into the nuances of contemporary politics, where perceptions of merit, racism, and media narratives collide.

Branko Marcetic, a journalist and columnist for Jacobin, Matthew Hoh, a veteran and Green Party candidate, and Yasmin Nair, editor-at-large at Current Affairs, explore the complexities of Graham Plattner's candidacy. They discuss the left's troubling embrace of military candidates, the fetishization of veteran identity, and the implications of Plattner's background. The panel debates the authenticity of politically driven veteran narratives, the moral challenges of supporting such figures, and the nuanced perspectives on anti-imperialism within this context.

Alvaro Bedoya, a privacy and civil-rights scholar and former FTC commissioner, dives into the intense Netflix and Paramount rivalry. He reveals how media consolidation impacts consumer prices, censorship, and the overall quality of streaming content. Bedoya discusses why politicians often sidestep the topic, prioritizing wealthy donors over consumer concerns. He also highlights missed opportunities for Democrats to resonate with economic issues and critiques the performative nature of political activism in addressing big media power.