The Culture We Deserve

Exploring the complexities of the American Hero archetype, the hosts dive into its origins and cultural significance from WWII through Hollywood's story-telling. They debate if tearing down figures like Lincoln is more valuable than upholding these ideals. Discussion shifts to contemporary symbols and the idea of a 'Garden of American Heroes,' critiquing the arbitrariness of chosen figures and the implications of national narratives. Amidst a backdrop of literature and pop culture, they dissect the evolution of heroism and its role in shaping identity.

Julia Ioffe's new book explores Soviet state-sponsored feminism and its unintended consequences, highlighting the complex relationship between imposed rights and societal norms. The hosts dive into whether the MeToo movement echoed this trickle-down morality, arguing it often overlooked the struggles of working-class individuals. They also critique the film After the Hunt, discussing its ambiguous narrative as a reflection of MeToo's perceived limitations. The conversation spans cultural critiques, monetization of public figures, and the dangers of normalizing extremist views.

The hosts dive into the uncanny feeling gripping America, likening it to historical political tensions. They explore how films like Seven Days in May and The Parallax View reflect internal paranoia and military overreach. Discussions on modern authoritarianism and the commodification of marginalized cultures reveal unsettling truths. They also critique the U.S. role in foreign conflicts through cinema, emphasizing the complex nature of revolutions and resistance, while recommending intriguing media for deeper insight.

Exploring Charlotte Brontë's "Shirley", the hosts discuss the upheaval of industrialization and its impact on community and vocation. They dive into the lesser-known aspects of Brontë's work, contrasting it with her more famous novels. The conversation touches on women's roles in charity, the portrayal of church failures, and the limitations of female liberation. Themes of illness and social vulnerability are highlighted, alongside the novel's engagement with feminist thought and critique of marriage as closure.

In the world of creative economy, it's suggested that deceased creators earn more than living ones, as seen in the Crichton estate lawsuit. Jessa and Nico explore ethical dilemmas surrounding AI and writer compensation, along with the consequences of licensing art like Basquiat's. They ponder over cultural exchanges in geopolitics and the implications of influencer funding disclosure. The duo delves into the absurdities of modern political theater and the entanglement of copyright laws with artistic legacy, stressing the need for reform to benefit living creators.

A bestselling memoir claims to recount a woman's traumatic past but hinges on recovered memories induced by hallucinogens. The hosts discuss the dangerous implications of such claims, echoing the infamous satanic panic of the 1980s. They question the motives behind psychedelic startups and critique how media sensationalizes trauma narratives. Delving into the cultural obsession with PTSD, they explore how suggestion can create false memories, all while highlighting the intersection of women's media, profit, and politics.

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