The Regrettable Century

This week, we began (and had to cut short) a close reading of The Concept of Left by Leszek Kolakowski. Kolakowski was a dissident Polish Marxist who later turned against the project altogether. However, before he did, he wrote much that is worth reading. The Concept of the Left- Leszek Kolakowski Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the showVisit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop

This week, Jason and Ben sat down to acknowledge and resolve all the contradictions that have manifested in our discussions on this podcast. Actually, we don't resolve anything, but we do acknowledge some things. Our listeners will know that we often disagree with the broader left, each other, and our earlier selves. While we don't manage to piece together a solid line for the podcast, we do manage to talk a lot about those contradictions.Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the showVisit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop

This week, the Regrettable Christian Caucus begins Chapter II of Laudato Si, by the late Pope Francis. You can follow along by grabbing the PDF from Verso or from the Vatican website. This Papal Encyclical calls for urgent action to address the global environmental crisis, critiques consumerism, blind developmentalism, inequality, and profit seeking. The document calls for global political solidarity to transition to a sustainable economy and for the protection of the world's most vulnerable populations. Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the showVisit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop

Samantha Powers' UN/Israel Collusion, Anduril/Palantir Intel Risks to US Military, Right Wing Imperialist Proxy Wins Nobel Prize, Cease Fire in Gaza?, Angela Merkel Shifts Blame Onto Poland and Baltics, Poland's Imperial Ambitions, Zelensky's Wunderwaffen Scams, Ukraine's Energy Industry Crippled...Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the showVisit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop

It's time for a new patron reading group, and we've chosen 'Disaster Nationalism' by Richard Seymour. The gang gets started with the introduction, which means there is still time to become part of the group. If so, go to the Discord to join in.From the publisher:Liberal civilisation is in crisis - now is a time of monsters.While the spotlight often shines on the actions of charismatic right-wing leaders such as Donald Trump and Jair Bolsonaro, defeating these people will not stem the tide behind them. They are the embodiment of profound forces that are rarely understood. With meticulous analysis and compelling storytelling, Richard Seymour delves into the ideologies fueling the contemporary right and distorting modern politics into something abhorrent and nihilistic. The battle against disaster nationalism is not just political; it is a struggle for our collective soul and the future of civilization.Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the showVisit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop

This week the boys finish a close reading of an interview with Terence Renaud wherein he discusses his new book New Lefts: The Making of a Radical Tradition. We weigh in on the positive and negative legacies of the multiple revisions to "leftism."https://www.thenation.com/article/culture/qa-terence-renaud-new-left/ Listen to Part I:https://regrettablecentury.buzzsprout.com/220523/episodes/17815226-a-cascading-series-of-new-lefts-part-i-of-ii Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the showVisit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop

This week, we read and discussed an article about a phenomenon that apparently some people are, or were, concerned about: the problem of fascist infiltration of the anti-war movement. We discuss the problems inherent in gatekeeping social movements and the lack of left-wing organizations of any size. We also chime in on the overblown concerns about "Red-Brownism."Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the showVisit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop

The US is Behind On Drone Warfare, Satano-Nazi Terror in the USA, The Global Turn Against the Genocidal Apartheid State, The AFD's Gains in Former SPD Bastion, Reform UK is Britain's Most Popular Party, The Neo-Nazi Who Knew Too Much, Zelensky Is Losing Touch With Reality, Ukraine's Slow Collapse Continues...Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the showVisit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop

The podcast dives deep into the escalating political violence in the U.S., exploring its chilling societal implications. It examines how surveillance impacts free expression, drawing parallels to past political repression. The hosts discuss the complexities of empathy amid violence and critique the superficial labels often used in political discourse. They navigate the interplay of irony and earnestness in online culture, while reflecting on historical trends of political violence and its normalization today. Overall, it's a thought-provoking look at our current political landscape.

Newer Dumber Years of Lead, Newer Dumber Cold War Heats Up, Israel Kills Kids in Doha This Time, Europe Can't be Inconvenienced by Sanctions on India and China, Poland Shoots Down Three Slow Moving Unarmed Decoy Drones...Send us a message (sorry we can't respond on here). Support the showVisit the Regrettable Century Merch Shop