Red Menace

In this episode, Alyson and Breht wrestle with the possible rise of artificial general intelligence and its implications. Together they discuss the Silicon Valley Techno-Cult and their dark religious search for immortality, their hubristic attempts to "build god" and escape death, their neoliberal subjectivities and how that manifests in their work, how AI might manifest under the capitalist mode of production, the horrors and contradictions of "capitalism without workers", deflationary critiques of AI, humans as transitional creatures, consciousness and its complexities, intelligence without consciousness (philosophical zombies), Nietzchean nihilism, real religion and what it offers, embracing the inevitability of your own death, and much more!

Explore Karl Marx's 'The 18th Brumaire of Louis Bonaparte' with insights on French history, class conflict, peasantry, Bonapartism, and Fascism. Understand the role of the State under capitalism and how it relates to our modern crisis. Discover the interplay of fascism, socialism, and nationalism, and delve into the complexities of the lumpen proletariat and peasantry. Reflect on unity amidst ideological differences and the depth and relevance of the discussed text.

Exploring the emotional act of self-immolation for Palestine, societal reactions, and media responses. Discussion on mental illness perspectives and challenges of social media. Navigating trauma amidst struggles for change, global movements against genocide, and echoes of selfless sacrifices for noble causes.

Alyson and Breht delve into mysticism, discussing atheism, Buddhism, Judaism, Christianity, Sufism, mystical experiences, suffering, psychedelics, dialectics, and the relevance for political struggle.

A deep dive into South African apartheid, exploring its origins, the Boer Wars, the political economy, indigenous resistance, the end of formal apartheid, and its ongoing legacy. The podcast also compares apartheid to Israeli settler colonialism and discusses the role of nonviolent protests and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The speakers analyze the systemic embedding of apartheid, discuss the use of 'genocide' in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and express gratitude to their listeners.

Alyson and Breht discuss the incredible shift in public opinion on Israel and Palestine, the debate on whether Israel's actions amount to genocide, the prospects of a regional war, the history and core elements of Zionism, the role of Biden and the Democratic Party in supporting Israel, and the accomplishments of Palestinian resistance.

Breht O'Shea and Alyson Escalante discuss revolutionary theory, the role of a Vanguard Party, Lenin's critique of economism, contradictions of capitalism, and building a party through political education. They explore the importance of organized, strategic movements in leftist activism and the need for conscious, disciplined action in societal transformation.

Discussion on dire situation in Gaza, misconceptions of the conflict, analysis of Ukraine conflict, critiques of Zionist perspective, examination of Zionism and media bias, hypocrisy in US empire, manipulation of Israel criticism, dehumanizing effects of Zionism and exploitation of American workers.

Originally Aired on Oct 31, 2021 On this episode of Red Menace Alyson and Breht teach, discuss, and apply the lessons of 'Decolonization is Not a Metaphor' by Tuck and Yang Support Red Menace and get access to bonus monthly content on Patreon here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRedMenace  

Alyson and Breht finish their 3-part series on Friedrich Engels' text "The Origin of the Family, Private Property, and The State", and reflect on the text as a whole. Together, they wrestle with questions, like: What is family abolition? How do rich people buy extended, communal family? What happens to the family and romantic relationships under communism? Should people ever be treated like commodities? How does the title of the text reflect historical and dialectical materialism? and much more!    Get access to multiple bonus episodes a month here: https://www.patreon.com/TheRedMenace