Best of the Left - Leftist Perspectives on Progressive Politics, News, Culture, Economics and Democracy

The discussion dives into the chaos within conservative ranks, revealing how authoritarian regimes often lack true unity. We learn about the rising number of GOP retirements fueled by fear of Trump and legislative paralysis. The show critiques Tucker Carlson's mainstreaming of controversial figures like Nick Fuentes and explores the fallout for conservatives who are forced to choose sides. Indiana's rejection of Trump's redistricting plan highlights state-level resistance, while Candace Owens' controversial shift sparks debate on conspiracy and divisive rhetoric.

Take a deep dive into the complex political landscape of America! Explore how Reconstruction shaped modern society and the impact of civil rights on party realignment. Discover the neoliberal shift under Reagan and the implications of money in politics. Examine the intricacies of race, privilege, and systemic racism. Unpack the nuances of language, empathy in policing, and the disorganized left. Finally, grapple with tech’s role in shaping perceptions and the risks of hyper-individualism. Get ready for a thought-provoking journey!

The discussion dives into the absurdity of dictators and how mockery can be a powerful tool against them. They explore the intersection of propaganda and power, revealing how autocracies manipulate narratives and public perception. A historian sheds light on the psychological control dictators exert through cults of personality. The episode also examines nostalgic sentiments for authoritarian stability, contrasting them with the need for democratic checks. Lastly, the dangers of kleptocracy and the fragility of dictatorships are analyzed, exposing their violent ends.

Dive into intriguing discussions about orcas sporting 'salmon hats' and the complex realities of meat consumption. The hosts tackle the emotional toll of grief on activist movements, emphasizing honesty and authenticity in confronting difficult truths. Explore the balance between participating in flawed systems and fostering human connection through food. Finally, they reflect on mortality, urging listeners to cherish the present and adopt a mindset that prioritizes meaningful actions over productivity.

Air Date 12/14/2025 The sad ease with which we manage to ignore some atrocities, even while paying much attention to others, has to do with how visible or invisible to us the systems are that are propping up those events. Nothing happens in a vacuum and in our world, if you're willing to dig deep enough, you'll always find how we're all connected - across both time and geography. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Will the International Community Act Preschool Massacre & Large Piles of Bodies in Sudan Part 1 - Democracy Now! - Air Date 12-10-25 KP 2: Sudan Civil War the Terrifying Escape From El Fasher - Global News Podcast - Air Date 12-1-25 KP 3: Can Trump Help Sudan Part 1 - Today, Explained - Air Date 11-19-25 KP 4: The War In Sudan with Khalid Medani Part 1- American Prestige - Air Date 5-10-24 KP 5: South Sudans Failed Peace Deal with Joshua Craze Part 1 - American Prestige - Air Date 5-27-25 KP 6: Decolonise Sudan - The Sages Cabin - Herbs & Liberation - Air Date 11-6-25 (00:45:33) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the past 20 years of politics DEEPER DIVES (00:50:08) SECTION A: VIOLENCE NOW (01:12:13) SECTION B: HISTORICAL ROOTS (01:51:58) SECTION C: OUTSIDE INTERFERENCE (02:12:01) SECTION D: RESOLUTION AND SOLIDARITY HOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Photo of Sudanese refugee women, one with her baby, standing in line for food aid in Chad carrying bags, and boxes. Credit: "24 January 2025, Adre, Chad. Sudanese refugees who have fled the conflict in Sudan register for food aid in neighbouring Chad." by Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (UK), Flickr | CC BY-SA 2.0 | Changes: Cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Air Date: 12-10-25 Today, Jay!, Amanda, and Deon (Erin was out this week) discuss: Ch. 1 - Generational humor, and analysis of Gen Z's absurdist humor and the impact it's having Ch. 2 - The unexpected social side effects of NYC Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani's campaign on Gen Z volunteers Ch. 3 - The "App"stinence Movement helping people get off of social media Ch. 4 - How the peak Millennial humor mobile game "Sword and Sworcery" has evolved with the times SOLVED! Backstage: Behind the Algorithm: Elon Musk's "Grokapedia" reminding us of the "Conservapedia" of 2010s punchlines, and the co-opting of Gen Z meme humor by right wing extremists to normalize hate. REFERENCES Gen Z Humour: What's so funny about something so unfunny? - Hayden Lim Khai Eun via Medium Inside 'Gen Z humor,' the layered and absurdist internet jokes millennials are struggling to keep up with - Business Insider A crash course in Gen Z humor - Pion We Laughed Into The Void—And It Laughed Back: Understanding Gen Z Humor - Berkeley Political Review A Little-Noted Element Propelled Mamdani's Rise: Gen Z Loneliness - The New York Times A mass exit from social media - Mashable Should you practice Appstinence? Gen Z and Gen Alpha are embracing this Harvard student movement - Fast Company 7 Reasons to Think Social Media Has Peaked The platforms have serious problems. - New York Magazine The Mysteries Of Superbrothers: Sword and Sworcery EP - Waltorious Writes About Games Social media is dead – here's what comes next - New Scientist EXTRAS NOT SPONSORS/AFFILIATES Appstinence Brick - Device to help you manage phone use Freedom - App to help you manage device use How to make your smartphone into a dumb phone - (Modern Dumbphone)

Join Jonathan, a journalist who dives into the cultural normalization of sports betting, alongside experts analyzing its public health implications and the influence of celebrity endorsements. They explore how sports betting has become mainstream, targeting young men and entrenching financial nihilism. Discussions highlight the dangers of the casino economy, promotional traps, and the role of venture capital in expanding gambling. Expect a critique of influencer hypocrisy and insights into how desperation fuels gambling uptake.

Air Date 12/10/2025 Dick Cheney used to be thought of as Darth Vader but did he have an end-of-life conversion back to the light side of the force? No, he was bad all along and only thought Trump was worse. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience! Join our Discord community! KEY POINTS KP 1: Dick Cheney Invades Hell - Colonial Outcasts - Air Date 11-4-25 KP 2: Weapons of Mass Distraction with Chris Toensing - This Is Hell! - Air Date - 3-23-23 KP 3: Obama Admin: Torture Not Illegal, Just A "Disagreement" - The Young Turks - Aired 3-27-10 KP 4: Living and Reliving the U.S. Invasion of Iraq with Rasha Al Aqeedi - This Is Hell! - Air Date 4-10-23 KP 5: Shock Corridor with Naomi Klein - Blowback - Air Date 8-19-20 KP 6: Never Forget: Lessons of the Post-9/11 Warpath - Empire Files - Air Date 10-1-21 (00:48:24) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR On the legacies of Dick Cheney and Darth Vader DEEPER DIVES (01:00:59) SECTION A: LEGACY (01:54:23) SECTION B: IRAQ (02:11:15) SECTION C: USING 9/11 FOR POWER & PROFIT (02:31:51) SECTION D: NO ACCOUNTABILITY SHOW IMAGE CREDITS Description: Sidewalk graffiti stencil of Dick Cheney's face and the word "Terrorist" underneath Credit: "Terrorist" by David Drexler, Flickr | CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Slightly cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen Listen Anywhere! Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft Contact me directly at Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com

Re-Air Date: 12–2-25 Unless you were a member in May of 2024, this episode of SOLVED! will be brand new to you! If you were a member back then, THANK YOU and this one is worth a re-listen. We're slowing down production for a little bit to reorganize our production processes, so enjoy this episode from our archives (and B.Y: before YouTube) where Jay!, Amanda, Deon, and Erin discuss: Ch. 1 - How supply and demand economics is not about "distribution of goods with the greatest efficiency" and is instead about nothing more than predatory greed Ch. 2 - How what we value as humans goes far beyond the price of commodities Ch. 3 - More examples of "enshitification" as companies reach inside our homes to control things we already bought Ch. 4 - How companies are restricting functionality to extract even more from us FOLLOW US ON: YouTube (This full episode premieres on YouTube on Friday - please share!) Bluesky Instagram Facebook Mastadon REFERENCES: WELCOME TO PRICING HELL - The Atlantic The Gap Between the Price You See and What You Pay Is Getting Worse - The Wall Street Journal Welcome to the Golden Age of User Hostility - The Atlantic My Printer Is Extorting Me - The Atlantic Bought a Model Y? Tesla may charge you to use the battery's full range - Yahoo! Finance Corporate America Knows We're Miserable. Is a Toilet Bomb the Answer? - The Wall Street Journal EXTRAS: 00:12:53 "Not everything that counts can be counted" by Billy Bragg 00:42:41 Best of the Left Ep. #1629 - "Hitting Where it Hurts in Our Era of Negative Partisanship: Messaging left-wing politics amid cultish politics" (Air Date: May 2024) 00:48:44 Best of the Left Ep. #1628 - "New Era of Antitrust for a New Era of Capitalism, Mega-Corporations and Big Tech" (Air Date: May 2024) Join our Discord Server Reach us via Signal: Bestoftheleft.01 Leave a message at 202-999-3991 Produced by: Jay! Tomlinson Thanks for listening!

Original Air Date: 1-23-2024 The recent discovery of hundreds of bodies buried behind a jail in unmarked graves sparks a renewed discussion about the futility and counter-productiveness of our system of incarceration and the context of our history that has brought us to this point. Be part of the show! Leave us a message or text at 202-999-3991, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email Jay@BestOfTheLeft.com Full Show Notes Check out our new show, SOLVED! on YouTube! BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!) Join our Discord community! SHOW NOTES Ch. 1: Families in disbelief after hundreds of bodies found buried behind Mississippi jail - PBS NewsHour - Air Date 1-10-24 Ch. 2: The Most Infamous Jail in America - Olurinatti - Air Date 3-29-23 Ch. 3: Behind the News: The State of the Carceral State w/ Wanda Bertram - Jacobin Radio - Air Date 3-20-23 Ch. 4: Angela Davis on the argument for police and prison abolition | UpFront - Al Jazeera English - Air Date 12-17-21 Ch. 5: The Part of History You've Always Skipped | Neoslavery - Knowing Better - Air Date 4-4-22 Ch. 6: Penitence for the privileged - Beyond Prisons - Air Date 7 Ch. 7: Debunking "Norwegian Prison Reform" As Propaganda with Oakland Abolition and Solidarity - Millennials Are Killing Capitalism - Air Date 3-28-23 EDUCATE YOURSELF & SHARE 8 Ways You Can Advocate for Justice Reform in 2024 (Vera) Prison and Jail Reform (Brennan Center for Justice) Criminal Justice Reform (Equal Justice Initiative) Cutting Jail and Prison Populations (Brennan Center for Justice) SHOW IMAGE Description: Photograph of the outside of Coyote Ridge Corrections Center. Barbed wire lines the fences of the entrance in front of the dark gray cement building with tinted windows. Credit: "A sagebrush sea change from behind barbed wire" by U.S. Bureau of Land Management, Flickr | License: CC BY 2.0 | Changes: Cropped Produced by Jay! Tomlinson Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com