Time To Say Goodbye

Sohrab Ahmari, an Iranian-American writer and founding editor of Compact Magazine, dives deep into the evolving anti-war sentiment among American conservatives, especially in the age of Trump. He discusses the disconnect between the interventionist rhetoric and the working-class concerns of Trump supporters. The conversation highlights internal struggles within the administration, changing conservative views on military action, and the historical context of anti-war sentiments. Ahmari also examines class dynamics and the implications for future Republican strategies.

Hello!Today, we talk about the protests in LA, give a short timeline of what’s been happening and talk about all the silly discourse about how “the protesters” should “do x” as if every person at a protest is receiving a newsletter about message control or whatever. We also talk about the very weird situation at Ohio State which just basically gave its campus over to OpenAI and had some administrator very embarrassingly say they wanted their students to be “bilingual” in English and AI whatever that means. Also next week we will take a week off for our vacations. Enjoy the summer everyone! 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 share their favorite moments from Elon Musk's time in government, diving into the amusing conspiracy theories that surrounded him. They dissect the quirky world of Tesla drivers and the broader implications of Musk's controversial statements. The conversation highlights the evolving influence of Big Tech in Washington and how Hollywood's role in politics is diminishing. With humor and skepticism, they reflect on the societal impacts of concentrated power and the changing dynamics of influence within D.C.

Hello!Today, we have on Alex Thompson, co-author of the new book “Original Sin: President Biden’s Decline, It’s Cover-Up, and His Disastrous Choice to Run Again” and all the reasons Joe Biden decided to run for President in 2024, what happened on that debate stage, how a small group of aides working for Joe and Jill Biden kept everyone in line, or, more commonly, walled off from the President, and how it all fell apart. This is a juicy episode and we all recommend you read the book and Tyler’s essay on it. 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

In this discussion, journalist Karen Hao, author of "Empire of AI: Dreams and Nightmares in Sam Altman’s OpenAI," dives deep into the transformative impact of AI on society. She explores OpenAI's trajectory from altruism to profit-driven motives and the exploitation of workers in tech. The conversation dives into the hidden environmental costs tied to AI, the threat to democracy, and the need for accountability in tech industries. Hao also addresses activism surrounding data centers and the implications of automation on the job market.

Hello! Today we take a break from Trump to bring back one of our favorite guests, Andrew Boryga, the novelist behind the brilliant book Victim, and the author of a funny and incisive substack. We talk about the latest compain-fest in the literary world about white millennial men and how they’re supposedly shut out of the fruits of culture like the NYPL Young Lions Award or whatever. Then we talk a little bit about the Pulitzer controversy surrounding James and Andrew’s own thoughts on who gets to write novels and who does not. 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

Hello! Today we have on Bridget Read, the author of a great new book called “Little Bosses Everywhere: How the Pyramid Scheme Shaped America.” (Out today!) We talk about the history of the MLM (multi-level marketing) from its alleged origins with the Yankee peddler and the frontier and the more insidious real story of eugenicists, scammers, and quackery. A lot of questions you might have about pyramid schemes and MLMs will be answered here: Why do they all do vitamins and supplements? Why did AmWay and the DeVos family have such a hold on Trump? Great book. Take a listen. 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

Zena Hitz, a philosopher and tutor at St. John's College, dives deep into the implications of AI on education and intellectual life. She discusses the balance between traditional scholarship and AI's capabilities, emphasizing that human engagement is irreplaceable. The conversation critiques current educational models, highlighting the importance of critical thinking over mere knowledge accumulation. Hitz also reflects on how we navigate learning in a technology-driven world, urging a reconsideration of meaningful education amid the challenges posed by AI.

Hello!Today we’re talking Pope and the odds for each of the contenders. If you want a quick way to catch up with who the choices might be and what they represent politically, please tune in! Who is the continuation candidate? Who is the lib? And who is the arch right winger who only talks like an Elon Musk reply guy? And we talk a bit about the Trump coalition and whether or not it might be feeling a bit shaky after all this chaos. 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

Zephyr Teachout, a Fordham Law professor and columnist at The Nation, dives into pressing political topics. They discuss the struggle to reshape liberal economic messaging in relation to protectionism and manufacturing. Zephyr sheds light on the rising corruption in the White House and its impact on democracy. The conversation also touches on the disconnect between public opinion on manufacturing and the actual willingness to work in factories. It's a thought-provoking dialogue on the future of work and grassroots movements in America.