The Culture We Deserve

In the industrial age, there was a widespread disruption of communities. Traditional methods of charity and redistribution of resources were undermined by the changing policies of the church, the military whims of the government severed trade routes and exchanges of money, and families were scattered as people looked for work. In Charlotte Bronte's Shirley, Caroline Helstone is trying to figure out what to do with her existence as she suffers the disappointment of being prevented from finding vocation. She and the other members of her community find themselves out of work, out of sorts, and in and out of respectable love, and try to make do with what is left over.  Join the book club at The Culture We Deserve. http://theculturewedeserve.substack.com

In the creative economy, it is more profitable to be a dead creator than a living working writer. Or that is the lesson learned from the lawsuit the Michael Crichton estate filed against The Pitt. Crichton, who earned a quarter of a billion dollars for his contribution to the NBC show ER -- his contribution being a film script that was later adapted by someone else into a network pilot -- while the actual writers, actors, and crew made considerably less. Jessa and Nico talk about the writers who filed suit against AI, why Basquiat is in his most prolific era yet (37 years after his death), and the curse of the Frida Kahlo Barbie doll. Shownotes and references: http://theculturewedeserve.substack.com

One of the bestselling nonfiction books of the moment is a memoir about a wealthy and successful woman dealing with memories of horrific sexual assault by her teacher when she was in middle school. The only problem: her memories were "recovered" in therapy with the use of hallucinogens. Meaning they probably aren't real. And the author just so happens to have a stake in a company that is trying to get hallucinogens approved by the FDA for use in therapy to treat PTSD. Jessa and Nico talk about how the recovered memories craze of the 1980s led to our last great Satanic Panic, why everyone has PTSD now, and why women's media loves wishywashy fake memoirs about sexual assault. Shownotes and references: http://theculturewedeserve.substack.com

The hosts dive into the irony of the right seeking a martyr in Charlie Kirk, paralleling him with George Floyd. They explore how recent tragic events have unveiled the true positions of conservative figures like Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson. The discussion heats up over the ethics of producing content around public assassinations and the chaos that ensues on social media. Additionally, they critique the media's reaction to these cultural shifts, revealing a deeper look into societal and political dynamics.

A deep dive into the dark side of the surrogacy industry unfolds, highlighting a case where vital maternal health information was withheld, leading to tragic outcomes. The hosts explore how surrogacy mirrors gig economy dynamics, exposing vulnerabilities and exploitation. They also reveal shocking regulatory gaps, like how unlicensed agencies operate and even the risks of sex offenders exploiting loopholes. The conversation extends globally, touching on trafficking crises and children's rights amidst the complexities of identity politics and morality in reproductive choices.

When a man is down on his luck, what is he to do? His fortune squandered, his estate mishandled, his love unfaithful, Barry Lyndon goes to war, and to prison, and to the gambling table, and to Prussia, and to Ireland. He schemes his way, hoping to get back into the good graces of the universe, trying to manifest that happy ending he's put on his vision board. Jessa and Joseph discuss whether Barry is just another manifestation girlie, how politically useful the British found the Irish famine, and other adventures in capitalism and colonialism. Shownotes and references, and join the book club discussion: http://theculturewedeserve.substack.com

The dumbest culture war in history continues, as the Trump administration seeks to purify the national collection of knickknacks and souvenirs. And the liberals are falling for it, declaring that this is just like the time the Nazis burned books and called art degenerate. As the bitter war over wall text next to a Papier-mâché Statue of Liberty continues, Jessa and Nico discuss the "museums are not neutral" stance progressives had, why a rich kid with an MFA from Yale is not Otto Dix, and one of the architects of the contemporary culture war, Victoria Coates.  Shownotes and references: http://theculturewedeserve.substack.com

What is behind the drive for small communities of like-minded people? The MAHA millionaire farm, the white nationalists in Arkansas, the makeshift Texas beguinage? Are we re-entering an age of utopian experimentation or are we creating cults? Jessa and Nico discuss the history of utopian projects in the American Midwest, how people from the United States have been bothering South Americans for decades with their "intentional communities," and why Swifties only want to talk to other Swifties. Shownotes and references: http://theculturewedeserve.substack.com

Amidst the buzz over Sydney Sweeney's controversial ad, discussions delve into modern eugenics, highlighting socio-economic divides in access to reproductive technologies like IVF and CRISPR. The past's entwined relationship with eugenics raises ethical questions about 'designer babies' and societal responsibility. Historical narratives critically reveal the contradictions in reproductive practices and the growing concerns surrounding genetic manipulation. This thought-provoking conversation challenges existing norms and advocates for awareness about the implications of our genetic future.

As we were recording between two long work trips and through various mishaps, this week Nico and Jessa just go through headlines and updates on previous subjects. Covered: why the Trump administration is besotted with Confederate monuments, women separatist spaces, Uber's inability to protect their passengers from sexual assault, and more ICE chat. We were tired, okay?! Shownotes and references: http://theculturewedeserve.substack.com