Current Affairs

Academia is not full of radicals. There just aren’t many Republicans, perhaps because Republicans despise the academy’s values of open-mindedness and critical inquiry. 🌹 Read the article: https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/the-myth-of-the-marxist-university 🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership 🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs 🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/ 

The podcast critiques the manipulation of fear towards China to unify the country politically. It explores historical parallels of political anger, suggesting a new Cold War rhetoric could distract from domestic issues. Key discussions question the validity of the 'China threat' narrative, highlighting its vagueness and the absence of solid evidence. Furthermore, it warns against the dangers of hostility, advocating for peaceful coexistence while addressing pressing societal inequalities. This insightful dialogue shines a light on the complexities of modern political narratives.

The podcast delves into Trump's audacious claims of having the authority to kill at will, sparking a debate on the legality of such actions. It scrutinizes military operations in the Caribbean that resulted in civilian deaths, questioning the morality behind these choices. The discussion highlights the dangers of presidential overreach and the alarming political apathy surrounding extrajudicial killings. With critical analysis, it links historical patterns of executive power to current threats to democracy and the rule of law.

In this riveting discussion, Taylor Lorenz, a technology journalist and author of Extremely Online, delves into her investigation of dark money networks like the 1630 Fund that secretly underwrite Democratic influencers. She highlights the ethical dilemmas of influencer marketing in politics, the suppression of critical narratives, and the Democratic Party's reliance on social media for messaging. The conversation also critiques the lack of transparency around funding sources and calls for greater accountability in journalism and political discourse.

The Democrats’ latest alternative to an agenda is being really sassy on social media. But without substance to back it up, they will never replicate the magic of a Bernie or Mamdani. 🐍 Read the article: https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/let-them-eat-memes 🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership 🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs 🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/ 

When pompous pundits and politicos begin to rationalize crimes against humanity, it’s no longer possible to laugh at them. The correct reaction is horror, disgust, and a determination to end their influence.🤡 Read the article: https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/the-clowns-arent-funny-anymore🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/

Yasmine Taeb, Legislative and Political Director of MPower Change Action Fund—the largest Muslim digital activist organization in the U.S.—joins Current Affairs editor Alex Skopic to discuss the bipartisan complicity in the Gaza genocide, the rise of progressive challengers like Omar Fateh and Zohran Mamdani, and the Islamophobic attacks Muslim candidates continue to face.✊ MPower Change Website: https://www.mpowerchange.org/✊ MPower Action Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mpoweraction/?hl=en✊ MPower Action Twitter: https://x.com/MPowerAction0:00–4:32 Origins of MPower Action and the No Muslim Ban Ever Campaign4:32–7:37 Gaza Genocide and U.S. Complicity7:37–10:49 Democratic Party Silence and Support for Israel10:49–16:47 Progressive Challengers Taking on Pro-War Democrats16:47–20:45 Islamophobia and Attacks on Muslim Candidates20:45–24:24 Kamala Harris, the DNC, and Palestinian Exclusion24:24–29:57 Iran, the JCPOA, and the Push for Diplomacy🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/

Jason Woods, national spokesperson for Starbucks Workers United, joins Current Affairs associate editor Alex Skopic and contributor Stephen Prager to discuss the Starbucks union drive and the fight for fair wages.☕ Mutual Aid for Jason Woods: https://www.instagram.com/p/DM3UFBvxNq8/☕ SBWU's Website: https://sbworkersunited.org/☕ SBWU's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sbworkersunited/☕ SBWU's Twitter: https://x.com/SBWorkersUnited0:00-5:24 Why Starbucks Workers Unionized5:24-11:20 The Reality of Barista Pay11:20-16:11 Dress Codes as Union-Busting16:11-20:45 Sip-Ins20:45-23:50 Organizing in the South vs. North23:50-28:00 Every Job Requires Skill28:00-32:01 Steps to Unionize🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/

Randi Weingarten, President of the American Federation of Teachers, discusses her book, detailing why some see her as 'the most dangerous person in the world.' She tackles the manufactured distrust in education by right-wing figures and the vital role of teachers in fostering democracy and empathy. Weingarten also highlights the weaponization of anti-Semitism against academic freedom, the crisis in Gaza’s schools, and the essential role of teachers’ unions as defenders of democracy and the labor movement.

From BetterHelp to bourbon, A-list celebrities are cashing in on our trust. Why is there no longer any stigma for sellouts? 💰 Read the article: https://www.currentaffairs.org/news/how-we-stopped-caring-about-selling-out 🦩SUBSCRIBE TO CURRENT AFFAIRS MAGAZINE: https://www.currentaffairs.org/membership 🦩 PATREON: https://www.patreon.com/c/CurrentAffairs 🦩THE MYTH OF AMERICAN IDEALISM: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/738224/the-myth-of-american-idealism-by-noam-chomsky-and-nathan-j-robinson/