ACFM

After last week’s episode on Parties, this time ACFM exposes the predicament facing Your Party, the new leftwing faction led by Zarah Sultana and Jeremy Corbyn. What expectations do leftwing voters have for Your Party? Does the Corbyn faction distrust the membership? Is Zarah a politician or a poster? And does ‘Yorp’ stand a chance of overtaking the ascendant Greens? Nadia, Jem and Keir analyse a turbulent few months in British left politics. Sign up to the ACFM newsletter: https://novaramedia.com/newsletters Help us build people-powered media: https://novaramedia.com/support

The discussion delves into the intriguing connections between political and social parties. The hosts explore whether political parties still hold relevance in fostering unity or if they inevitably create exclusivity. They also reflect on the historical evolution of partisanship and the impact of modern digital platforms on political organization. With a nod to the Paris Commune and personal anecdotes about dance parties, they contemplate the fundamental functions that parties should serve in today's society. Ultimately, they advocate for a blend of political and social spaces to rebuild community trust.

Joining the discussion is Keir Milburn, a political theorist and cultural critic specializing in futurity and science fiction. Keir and Jem dive into whether sci-fi is inherently progressive and its connection to critical theory. They explore the rise of sci-fi in popular culture, the influence of tech elites, and the political nuances in classics from Wells and Clarke. Dystopian narratives are examined alongside feminist and diverse voices like Le Guin and Delany. The pair debates the constraints blocking utopian visions in modern media.

What if we stopped treating the future like a speculative asset and started trying to actually build and prepare? The ACFM gang look to the horizon in this Trip episode. Did young people always worry so much about their futures? Has the currency of emergency been devalued? Does conservatism have an idea of the future? Nadia, Jem and Keir wonder what’s next with ideas from Max Weber and Kate Raworth, and music from LTJ Bukem and FKA twigs. Find the books and music mentioned in the show: https://novara.media/acfm Sign up to the ACFM newsletter: https://novaramedia.com/newsletters Follow our ever-expanding playlist on Spotify by searching ‘ACFM’. Help us build people-powered media: https://novara.media/support

Are gardens a sanctuary or an enclosure? The ACFM gang sketch out a weird-left history of gardening, from the walled gardens of paradise to the tarmacked lawns of suburban Britain. Find the books, music and Dunmore Pineapple mentioned in the show: https://novara.media/acfm Sign up to the ACFM newsletter: https://novaramedia.com/newsletters Help us build people-powered media: https://novara.media/support

Keir Starmer claims that growth is the only cure for a country in decline. But why is it the central obsession of modern capitalist economies? And can we think our way out of it before our planet runs out of resources? Nadia, Keir and Jem offer their weird-left take on growth, degrowth, radical abundance, ecomodernism and personal productivity, with ideas from Kate Soper and Kohei Saito and music from Minnie Riperton, 7 Samurai and Joanna Newsom. Find the books and music mentioned in the show: https://novara.media/acfm Sign up to the ACFM newsletter: https://novaramedia.com/newsletters Follow our ever-expanding playlist on Spotify by searching ‘ACFM’. Help us build people-powered media: https://novara.media/support

Following their Trip episode about Cleaning, the ACFM crew take a closer look at the hidden labour that keeps the economy running. Would public canteens solve 80% of our problems? Find the books and music mentioned in the show: https://novara.media/acfm Sign up to the ACFM newsletter: https://novaramedia.com/newsletters Help us build people-powered media: https://novara.media/support

What does cleanliness really signify in a socialist utopia? The hosts dive into how societal perceptions of cleaning intersect with class and gender roles. They tackle the messy truth about domestic labor, exploring the stigma of 'unclean' groups and the complexities of gender expectations. Music interludes from X-Ray Spex and The B-52s provide a fun backdrop, while discussions on historical views of cleanliness and the evolution of domestic duties spark critical thought. It's a fresh look at the ideology behind our daily rituals!

Following the recent Trip episode on Heroes, Keir and Jem return with a Microdose focusing on the masked, the winged and the mutated. Why are superheroes such a cultural mainstay? What psychological and political desires do they fulfil? Are they inherently reactionary? From Superman to Batman, Wonder Woman to 2000AD, it’s a weird left reading of superheroes and comic book culture. Sign up to the ACFM newsletter: https://novaramedia.com/newsletters Help us build people-powered media – pledge your support from as little as £1 a month: https://novara.media/support

The discussion dives into the complexities of heroism in modern politics, highlighting its scarcity in progressive circles. Gender perspectives are examined, revealing the challenges women face in being recognized as heroes. The evolving concept of heroism is explored, questioning the narratives around courage and sacrifice. The paradox of individualism versus community support is critiqued, alongside a humorous take on individualism through pet intelligence. Finally, the podcast examines contemporary political heroism and the challenges faced by leftist leaders.