Time To Say Goodbye

Hello!Today we’re talking the media business, the news that Bari Weiss will now be the Editor in Chief of CBS News, and what we think will happen during a period of inevitable fracturing and consolidation. Our guest is longtime listener and excellent reporter Maxwell Tani of Semafor. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe

The hosts explore the concept of 'hobby inflation,' revealing how prices for activities like surfing and knitting have soared post-pandemic. They discuss the shift toward hobby exclusivity, linking rising costs to private equity's impact on community access. The conversation touches on the potential for hobbies to combat male loneliness amid rising phone use. Ultimately, they ponder if hobbies will become a privilege of the wealthy, while critiquing the commercialization of youth sports and its implications for families.

Zena Hitz, a philosopher and faculty member at St. John’s College, dives into the complexities of free speech amid today’s cultural climate. She explores Jimmy Kimmel's canceling incident, questioning if it exemplifies cancel culture or corporate pressure. Hitz argues that America’s conformity hampers meaningful discourse and warns that politicizing universities undermines their mission. She advocates for reviving nonpolitical conversations to restore civic life, while highlighting the erosion of trust in academia due to social media and political influences.

John Ganz, a writer and host of the Substack 'Unpopular Front', dives deep into the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a significant figure in GOP circles. He discusses the complexities of gun violence and the oversimplification of policies surrounding it. Ganz critiques how internet subcultures encourage radicalization and examines the political fallout and strategies the right might employ in response to the tragedy. The conversation also touches on the stakes of debate culture and the challenges of principled political discourse.

This week dives into the chaotic ICE raid at a Hyundai plant in Georgia, revealing the clash between immigration policies and American manufacturing aspirations. The conversation critiques the ineffective Democratic strategy and the rising authoritarian sentiment explored in an Ezra Klein op-ed. Attention shifts to Chicago, where the potential deployment of the National Guard raises concerns about community safety. Amid political dilemmas, the excitement of NFL season unfolds, exploring how sports gambling intertwines with social issues and fan engagement.

In this engaging discussion, Jonathan M Berman, an assistant professor and author of 'Anti-Vaxxers: How to Challenge a Misinformed Movement', dives into the intricate history of anti-vaccine movements. He reveals how political polarization and personal freedom narratives have shaped vaccine skepticism over time. The conversation also highlights the implications of recent public figures' rhetoric on vaccination policies, the media's role in public perception, and the fragile relationship between scientific truth and journalism amidst societal pressures.

Hello! Today we talk about Trump’s bid to create a sovereign wealth fund by investing in private companies, the parallels these actions have to his shakedowns of elite universities and Zohran’s attempt to throw up 135 on the bench press. We also talk about the “Badasses,” a group of Democrats who are trying to blend suburban mom vibes with their former careers in the CIA and military. Enjoy! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe

Jessica Dai, a UC Berkeley PhD student and writer, and Ben Recht, a Berkeley professor in electrical engineering, dive into the nuanced realm of AI culture. They scrutinize the priorities of major AI companies and the concept of alignment, questioning if profit motives overshadow ethical considerations. The duo discusses the ethical challenges surrounding AI decision-making, content moderation, and the emotional impacts of AI on users. Their insights probe how big tech influences societal norms, reflecting on the evolving relationship between technology and humanity.

Hello,This week, we have a long talk with an author we both have admired for a while, Jonathan Mahler. His new book, The Gods of New York: Egoists, Idealists, Opportunists, and the Birth of the Modern City: 1986-1990, is a chronicle of how a four year stretch in New York City laid down the groundwork for a new city, one that fully separated itself from its working class roots and any notion of civic unity for a fractured, polarized, and atomized city that gave rise to everyone from Donald Trump to Al Sharpton to Larry Kramer to Spike Lee. Really really good book and a great guest. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit goodbye.substack.com/subscribe

The discussion dives into the Gilded Age and its parallels with modern politics. Marjorie Taylor Greene's controversial remarks about Gaza spark debate on her appeal and the 'horseshoe theory' in political ideologies. The speakers explore the intricacies of political rhetoric and the impact of figures like Greene in today’s polarized landscape. They also address voter disconnection from parties and the emotional toll of ongoing humanitarian crises while highlighting the importance of authenticity in this digital age.