This Is Hell!

Sarah Lazare returns to This Is Hell! to talk about her new In These Times piece “They Worked Underground in the Uranium Mines. They've Been Surrounded by Death Ever Since”. Sarah investigates how the uranium industry left a trail of sickness and loss through Navajo territory while President Trump is pushing for another mining boom. We will have new installments of Rotten History and Hangover Cure. We will also be sharing your answers to this week's Question from Hell! from Patreon. Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: www.patreon.com/thisishell

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Daniel Trilling returns to discuss his new Equator piece, "Inside the BBC’s Gaza Fiasco: How the world’s most trusted media organisation fell apart." Check out Daniel's article here: https://www.equator.org/articles/inside-the-bbc-s-gaza-fiasco Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishell Please rate and review This Is Hell! wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps the show ascend the algorithm to reach new listeners.

Quincy Institute scholars William Hartung and Ben Freeman join us to discuss their new book from Bold Type Books, "The Trillion Dollar War Machine: How Runaway Military Spending Drives America into Foreign Wars and Bankrupts Us at Home." "The Moment of Truth" with Jeff Dorchen follows the interview. Check out William and Ben's book here: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/william-d-hartung/the-trillion-dollar-war-machine/9781645030638/ Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishell Please rate and review This Is Hell! wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps the show ascend the algorithm to reach new listeners.

In this riveting discussion, Michael Oriard, Professor Emeritus and former professional football player, explores the long, violent history of American football in his new book, "Sanctioned Savagery." He delves into how the NFL's brand protection strategies often overshadow player safety concerns. Oriard highlights fan cognitive dissonance and the impact of media in dehumanizing players. He also examines the role of gambling, evolving masculinity, and the cultural forces that perpetuate football's violent legacy. A thought-provoking listen for sports enthusiasts!

Richard Seymour, an influential author and editor at Salvage Magazine, dives into the disturbing rise of disaster nationalism. He explains how climate change fuels far-right politics, transforming resentment into a potent political force. The conversation explores car culture's role in shaping identity and resistance to climate action. Seymour also sheds light on the dynamics of scapegoating and the normalization of fascist ideologies. He argues for systemic change, emphasizing that solidarity can counter the rising tide of authoritarianism.

Ray D. Madoff, a legal scholar from Boston College specializing in wealth inequality, discusses her book on how the U.S. tax code fosters aristocracy. She reveals how misunderstood tax laws allow the wealthy to evade their fair share while the middle class bears the burden. Madoff argues for enhancing tax literacy to help citizens understand economic disparities. She critiques charitable tax deductions and explains the role of dynasty trusts in perpetuating wealth. Ultimately, she advocates for reforming taxes to level the playing field.

Bianca Tylek, Founder and Executive Director of Worth Rises, dives deep into the prison industry's exploitation and commercialization. She highlights how public awareness is growing around abolition and critiques the privatization of incarceration, asserting it profits from human suffering. Bianca discusses the ethical dilemmas inherent in profit-making through incarceration, the failings of private prisons, and the public health risks posed by prison sites. She also emphasizes the important movement to eliminate slavery-by-conviction and the dangers of surveillance technologies stemming from prisons.

Sasha Davis, a writer and professor specializing in Environmental and Sustainability Studies, delves into his book, discussing fresh opportunities for social justice movements. He examines the stagnation of protests and elections, arguing that the state often serves capital rather than the public. Topics include the concept of counter-occupations as a bold tactic for change, the historical context often overlooked in movements, and the dual role of law in protecting rights and enabling state power. Davis offers a tactical framework for grassroots governance to inspire renewed activism.

Hamid Dabashi returns to This Is Hell! to discuss his new book from Haymarket Books, "After Savagery: Gaza, Genocide, and the Illusion of Western Civilization." Jeff Dorchen edifies us with a new "Moment of Truth" after the interview. Check out Hamid's book here: https://www.haymarketbooks.org/books/2607-after-savagery Help keep This Is Hell! completely listener supported and access bonus episodes by subscribing to our Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/thisishell Please rate and review This Is Hell! wherever you get your podcasts. It really helps the show ascend the algorithm to reach new listeners.