Time To Say Goodbye

Fredric Jameson, a celebrated literary critic, is honored for his transformative contributions to cultural theory. The discussion reflects on the challenges within academia and the impact of his work. Meanwhile, Olivia Nuzzi, a sharp political journalist, shares insights into the fallout from the RFK incident, shedding light on the ethical dilemmas faced by journalists, especially women. The conversation reveals how these controversies shape modern media narratives and public perception, leaving listeners with plenty to ponder.

Hello!A quick note before we start: We recorded this as we always do on Tuesday for an early Wednesday release. The last part of the show focuses on what at the time was a wishy-washy and evasive response from Kamala Harris when asked about what Trump and Vance were doing to Haitian residents in Springfield, Ohio. Since then, Harris has come out and called their attacks a “crying shame” and likened it to Trump’s demonization of the Central Park Five. We decided to keep the section in the show because while it’s great that Harris did finally address it, I (Jay) still find it interesting that she chose to liken it to well-worn things she’s already talked about, but decline to say anything positive about immigrants or immigration at all. This defensiveness is what we were responding to and while I think the tone we reached would’ve been muted a bit, I still think the logic is sound and relevant. Other than that, we talked about how we now view the “fascism debate” in light of these disgusting attacks on a specific, vulnerable population who already is seeing daily bomb threats at schools, and we talked a bit about the latest assassination attempt on Donald Trump’s life. 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

In a thought-provoking conversation, Ben Recht, a UC Berkeley professor known for his expertise in computer science and machine learning, teams up with Leif Weatherby, an NYU associate professor of German. They explore the implications of Nate Silver's book and the growing obsession with Big Data, critiquing its impact on society and sports. The duo humorously discusses iPhone stagnation as a metaphor for the 'end of history,' examining the tension between data analytics and meaningful narratives across various fields, including politics and content creation.

The podcast kicks off with a discussion on whether college students are treated like adults or infantilized. It dives into alarming statistics about MIT's declining Black enrollment after recent affirmative action changes. The speakers critique university admissions policies and emphasize the need for authentically inclusive education. They also touch on the tensions surrounding student protests and the role of AI in academic integrity, questioning how these advancements will reshape higher learning and student experiences.

Hello! Today, we talk about Kamala’s big speech at the DNC, the cat-and-mouse game her campaign is playing with the media, why we’re probably fine with it in the end, and RFK’s 45 minute speech that outlined his new role as Trump’s new attack dog. (Mostly because JD Vance is not doing so well.) We also talked about scandal in the English Department at Pomona College and a big story in the Chronicle of Higher Education that stars some of the most annoying people you’ll ever read about. Also as a periodic reminder: This show is free and we love putting it out, but if you enjoy what we do and can find it in your heart to hit the subscribe button and contribute $5 a month, it really does help us keep going with this project. Thank you! 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 engaging discussion, guest Matt Karp, a columnist for Harper's and Princeton history professor, dives into AOC's standout moment at the DNC and its implications for progressive politics. He reflects on the left's journey since Bernie Sanders' Nevada win, highlighting challenges in connecting with working-class voters. Karp critiques the Democratic Party's current state, exploring nostalgia and the complexities of populism. The conversation navigates the evolving landscape of American politics, offering illuminating insights on class and identity.

In this enlightening discussion, Paolo Cremidis, organizer of the Rural Americans for Harris Zoom call and executive director of the Outrun coalition, dives into the complexities of rural voting. He explores the idea of a 'rural identity' and how Tim Walz could resonate with rural voters. The conversation tackles misconceptions Democrats have about rural communities, the unique needs of rural voters, and the importance of authenticity in political engagement. Cremidis also examines Kamala Harris's potential to attract rural support by addressing economic concerns.

Astra Taylor, a filmmaker and co-author with the Debt Collective, joins the conversation to delve into a variety of intriguing topics. They discuss the surprising implications of Kamala Harris's VP nomination and the bizarre spectacle of RFK Jr. dumping a dead bear cub in Central Park. Astra shares insights from her book on solidarity, exploring its importance in activism and the complexities of personal loss in political movements. The chat also emphasizes how to rebuild political unity and address issues like school lunch debt impacting vulnerable communities.

Bradford William Davis, an esteemed journalist and returning guest, joins the hosts to dissect the intersections of race, journalism, and politics through the lens of a recent NABJ conference featuring Trump. They delve into the complexities of allyship, highlighting the lack of focus on Asian Americans in fundraising efforts for Harris. The discussion touches on the dynamics of minority outreach, the unusual support for Trump among black and Hispanic voters, and the challenges of navigating identity politics in contemporary elections.

HELLO! Today we talk about the Kamala campaign, who she should pick as VP, speculate on where Joe Biden might be, and offer a spirited defense of AOC doing politics. Gets a bit unhinged in the middle tbh but we at least had a good time with this one. If you’d like to see Trump play the theme song, click here (Substack won’t let us embed tweets bc Elon did it first, I guess. https://x.com/GraduatedBen/status/1815807377309864437 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