Ep. 168: How Faux Folksy "Real World" Advice is Employed to Limit Political Possibility and Punch Left
Citations Needed28 Sep 2022

Ep. 168: How Faux Folksy "Real World" Advice is Employed to Limit Political Possibility and Punch Left

"Increasing Numbers of US Students Look for a 'Real' World," read a 1965 headline from the magazine Moderator. "Academics: Get Real!," the Harvard Business Review implored in 2009. "'Defund the police' runs into reality," the Washington Post warned in 2021. "As Latin America Shifts Left, Leaders Face a Short Honeymoon," the New York Times declared in 2022.

We're often reminded that anyone who espouses some degree of left-wing politics – whether a student, activist, political leader, or anyone in between – is at odds with the "real world." Academics, especially those in the humanities, sit in their ivory towers. Organizers and demonstrators against state violence have their heads in the clouds. Elected leaders campaigning on elevating living standards don't know what they're in for.

But who's in charge of determining what's 'realistic'? Or what "the real world" is exactly? Why is studying theory, fighting for better healthcare, or working toward poverty reduction any less 'real' than plugging away at a spreadsheet for a weapons manufacturer or venture capital firm? And how did this pat and folksy concept of the "real world" emerge as a go-to dunk on eggheads and activists?

On this episode, we seek to answer these questions, as we examine the canard that anyone to the left of a Goldman Sachs executive isn't living in or contributing to the "real world."

Our guest is Street Fight Radio's Bryan Quinby.

Episoder(367)

News Brief: NPR Asks Starving Palestinian Living On Rubble to Denounce Hamas, Co-Sign His Own Ethnic Cleansing

News Brief: NPR Asks Starving Palestinian Living On Rubble to Denounce Hamas, Co-Sign His Own Ethnic Cleansing

In this News Brief, we we break down an object lesson in racist US-Israeli national security state toadyism, double standards, and runaway condescension.

22 Mai 202523min

News Brief: Baltimore Uprising 10 Years on: PR Co-option vs Genuine Reform

News Brief: Baltimore Uprising 10 Years on: PR Co-option vs Genuine Reform

In this News Brief we are joined by Taya Graham and Stephen Janis of The Real News Network to discuss their new documentary, "Freddie Gray: A Decade of Struggle" about the lessons, pitfalls and genuin...

7 Mai 202536min

Episode 220: The Power of Thought-Terminating Bad Guy Labels

Episode 220: The Power of Thought-Terminating Bad Guy Labels

"American Extremists Aiding Radicals Across Border," trumpeted the Detroit Free Press in 1919. "707 Illegal Aliens Arrested in Checkpoint Crackdown," reported the Los Angeles Times in 1987. "87 Bronx ...

30 Apr 20251h 21min

Ep 219: How Elites Concern Troll 'Waste' to Gut Social Welfare and Divide the Working Class

Ep 219: How Elites Concern Troll 'Waste' to Gut Social Welfare and Divide the Working Class

"Poverty plan hit for fraud, waste," reported the Associated Press in 1966. "Study says government waste is unbelievable," insisted United Press International in 1983. "Beneath Trump's Chaotic Spendin...

23 Apr 20251h 15min

Ep 218: The Siren Song of Rallying Around a 'Common Enemy' to Promote Progressive Causes

Ep 218: The Siren Song of Rallying Around a 'Common Enemy' to Promote Progressive Causes

"Senate Weighs Investing $120 Billion in Science to Counter China," trumpeted The New York Times in 2021. "A New Economic Patriotism Can Help Unite Our Divided Congress," argued Newsweek in 2023. "US ...

16 Apr 20251h 13min

News Brief: Dem Leaders, 'Free Speech' Warriors Mostly Shrug as Trump Disappears Political Dissidents

News Brief: Dem Leaders, 'Free Speech' Warriors Mostly Shrug as Trump Disappears Political Dissidents

In this public News Brief, we discuss the media and high-profile Democratic Party leaders and 'Free Speech' crowd's muted—or, in many cases, completely silent—response to the greatest attack on free s...

2 Apr 202528min

Episode 217: A.I. Mysticism as Responsibility-Evasion PR Tactic

Episode 217: A.I. Mysticism as Responsibility-Evasion PR Tactic

"Israel built an 'AI factory' for war. It unleashed it in Gaza," laments the Washington Post. "Hospitals Are Reporting More Insurance Denials. Is AI Driving Them?," reports Newsweek. "AI Raising the R...

26 Mar 20251h 3min

News Brief: Trump's Hollow Working Class Aesthetics and How Unions Can Lead a Real Resistance

News Brief: Trump's Hollow Working Class Aesthetics and How Unions Can Lead a Real Resistance

In this Citations Needed News Brief interview, we're joined by Rutgers professor Eric Blanc to discuss his new book "We Are The Union," and lay out how any meaningful resistance to Trump and Trumpism ...

19 Mar 202533min

Populært innen Politikk og nyheter

aftenpodden
giver-og-gjengen-vg
lydartikler-fra-aftenposten
forklart
aftenpodden-usa
i-retten
stopp-verden
popradet
det-store-bildet
rss-gukild-johaug
nokon-ma-ga
fotballpodden-2
rss-ness
dine-penger-pengeradet
hanna-de-heldige
e24-podden
aftenbla-bla
rss-dannet-uten-piano
frokostshowet-pa-p5
rss-penger-polser-og-politikk