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Nignorance from across the diaspora. We discuss politics and pop culture from a left perspective. Enjoy and tell a friend.
Episodes
Monday Jul 22, 2024
Monday Jul 22, 2024
Get Katherine's book here: https://uncpress.org/book/9781469677255/live-from-the-underground/
Welcome to our show! Today, we have the pleasure of speaking with professor and author Katherine Rye Jewell about her fascinating new book, "Live from the Underground," which explores the rise of college radio. Unlike typical homages to white indie rock and obscure fringe artists, Jewell provides a materialist historiography that examines how college radio helped shape the music landscape.
In "Live From the Underground," Jewell writes:
> "College radio offered an ideal venue for these attitudes. It could never overtake commercial radio, remaining scarce and subaltern. Pop culture rejects sought sanctuary at these stations by the 1990s. Protected by institutional homes and noncommercial licenses, these stations operated on the public’s airwaves for educational purposes. Such missions offered useful cover for DJs seeking the weird, the unheard, or underappreciated. Such music might never reach, or actively defy, mainstream audiences. Many participants were content with remaining on the outside, in the underground. Stations developed devoted listener bases of engaged music fans and lured college students who didn’t quite fit in on campus. Community DJs turned to college radio, too, seeking purchase on the nation’s airwaves—or at least however far the usually low-wattage collegiate signal reached.
> By the early 1990s, college radio had earned a national identity that evoked generational dissatisfaction with pop culture even as it remained deeply conversant with it. These signals did offer alternative voices to willing audiences. Yet college radio’s collective status as an alternative, or counter-hegemonic, medium is debatable. Virtually all elements of the college radio model—educational mission, anti commercialism, funding mechanisms, organizational structures, professional practices, content, or audience relationships—were contested in one way or another after the 1970s. Some stations explored the furthest fringes of musical expression, but these were missions shaped historically and through conflict. Numerous DJs sought careers in the news, music, and media industries. Not all stations devoted programming to music lacking broad commercial appeal, but these signals and their participants also shaped the nation’s landscape of collegiate radio. College radio’s status as an alternative medium is thus tenuous, even if in aggregate or individually these stations possessed disruptive potential."
Our guest today, Katherine Rye Jewell, is a historian and a professor at Fitchburg State University. Her work delves into the intersection of business, politics, and culture. Please give a big TIR round of applause for Katherine Rye Jewell!
Sunday Jul 21, 2024
Sunday Jul 21, 2024
Jason and Mac discuss the rise of popularity in women's athletics, and the possible need for a new Black national anthem. Enjoy.
Thursday Jul 18, 2024
Thursday Jul 18, 2024
Kuba talks more project 2025, the CRÜE watches McDonalds fight videos.
Thursday Jul 18, 2024
Thursday Jul 18, 2024
Welcome to today's episode, where we dive into the political theater and imagery that shapes our current landscape. The recent assassination attempt on former President Donald Trump has, unsurprisingly, become a galvanizing moment for his fervent fanbase—notice I say fanbase, not the Republican Party. The zealous MAGA crowd envisions Trump as he envisions himself, almost as if a 50-year career in the pop culture spotlight has induced a group hypnosis on millions. Image has always been central to Trump’s persona, evolving from a billionaire playboy to a no-nonsense reality TV boss, and now, to his final form as an anti-elite warrior for the working class.
From the 80s and 90s as a gregarious hotel magnate to his stint as a pro wrestling hall-of-famer and television character, Trump's presence on "The Apprentice" aired on NBC for 13 years before he transitioned from Hollywood to the White House. One thing has remained constant: Trump has always stayed in character, often to his professional detriment.
His latest persona as a defiant "Washington outsider" was immortalized this past week with an iconic image: a fist raised in the air, shouting "fight" to his supporters. This moment wasn't deep faked or photoshopped; it was a genuine snapshot emblematic of our current epoch. Images tell the story, and we fill in the blanks with our imaginations or lived experiences—whatever helps us sleep at night.
In contrast, Joe Biden continues to be scrutinized publicly for signs of cognitive decline. Both men represent the oldest presidential race to date, yet Biden has garnered bipartisan media attention for his often stammering speeches, raising questions about his candidacy. This scenario is reminiscent of another television president, Ronald Reagan, who also stumbled during debates and forgot critical issues like the Iran-Contra affair, yet won his second term by a landslide. Why don't we remember Reagan as the same doddering old man that we see in Biden? Does any of this matter when electoral politics often resemble team sports, where loyalty to the team trumps individual performance?
Will Donald Trump be able to leverage this assassination attempt into a second presidential victory, or is this simply another marketing opportunity for a shallow huckster who sees everything, even an attempt on his life, as a money-making venture?
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Wednesday Jul 17, 2024
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
Tuesday Jul 16, 2024
Monday Jul 15, 2024
Monday Jul 15, 2024
Welcome to our show, where today we have the pleasure of bringing back a returning guest who has become more than just a collaborator; he's a friend. Alexander Herbert, renowned for his insightful research on horror films in the Soviet Union and Soviet punk culture, is with us once again. Over the years, Alex and I have grown close, and he even visited me here in Mexico. Now, we're excited to be working together on a book project.
Today, we're diving into Alex's latest venture—a significant leap into documentary filmmaking. After the pandemic restrictions were lifted a few years ago, Alex traveled back to Tbilisi, Georgia, to document a unique and poignant migration story. His focus is on the young Russian punks who fled their homeland to avoid participating in the war with Ukraine.
Instead of creating a simple narrative about these punks as fish out of water in a new land, Alex explores the broader implications of this migration on the Georgian economy and society. His documentary examines how the influx of Russians is influencing the local scene and economy in Tbilisi. How do Georgians feel about this wave of new residents, and is there a sense of gentrification occurring within their communities? Moreover, can punk music, with its rebellious spirit and message of unity, serve as a bridge between these disparate groups?
We’re thrilled to have Alex here today to talk about his documentary, share insights from his research, and give us a sneak peek at his film. Let's welcome Alexander Herbert to discuss this fascinating and timely project.
Sunday Jul 14, 2024
Sunday Jul 14, 2024
Welcome to our podcast, where today we delve into a heated topic that's currently stirring the sports world: the controversy surrounding Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy's handling of star running back Ollie Gordon's recent DUI arrest. This issue has sparked significant debate among sports journalists, pundits, and fans alike. Gordon, who blew a .10—above Oklahoma's legal limit of .08—was not suspended by Gundy, who instead defended his decision in a way that has raised many eyebrows.
### The Controversy
Mike Gundy's approach to Gordon's DUI has been criticized for being too lenient. Gundy argued that Gordon's weight of around 215 pounds meant that a blood alcohol level of .10 was equivalent to consuming 3-4 beers, and he admitted to having driven after drinking that amount himself. He did not suspend Gordon, suggesting instead that facing the media in a public apology would be a more effective form of punishment than missing football games. Gundy's comments also seemed to indirectly criticize the NCAA's new Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) policy, suggesting that the influx of money to players should come with increased accountability.
### The Larger Issue
This situation brings up several important questions about justice, punishment, and the impact of money in college sports:
- **Justice vs. Vengeance:** There's a fine line between justice and vengeance. In the context of college sports, what constitutes a fair and just punishment for athletes who break the law? Is suspending a player for multiple games the right approach, or are there more effective ways to handle such situations?
- **Impact of NIL:** Gundy’s comments highlight a growing concern among coaches and administrators about the influence of money on college athletes’ behavior. Does the new NIL policy complicate the disciplinary process for college athletes? Are players more likely to disregard rules because they feel financially empowered?
- **Moralizing vs. Justice:** Are we more concerned with moralizing athletes’ behavior than we are with actual justice? In this case, is the outrage directed more at Gundy’s perceived leniency or at the need to uphold a standard of behavior?
- **Player Mobility:** If Gordon were suspended, would he consider transferring to escape the consequences and stigma of his DUI? How does the potential for transferring impact the way coaches discipline their players?
### Perspectives
- **Supporters of Gundy’s Decision:** Some may argue that Gundy’s approach, which focuses on public accountability rather than game suspension, is a more modern and constructive form of punishment. It forces the player to confront the consequences of their actions directly and publicly.
- **Critics of Gundy’s Decision:** Others believe that failing to suspend Gordon sends the wrong message about the seriousness of DUI offenses. They argue that athletes should be held to high standards of conduct, and that suspensions serve as an important deterrent.
- **Impact on Team Dynamics:** How does a coach’s disciplinary decision affect team dynamics and the overall morale of the team? Is there a risk of creating a double standard or fostering resentment among players?
Thursday Jul 11, 2024
Thursday Jul 11, 2024
It seems like a lifetime ago that Ta’Nehisi Coates was making his case for reparations, Ibrahim X. Kendi was teaching America how to be anti racist and a group of women from the West Coast launched a hashtag that for a time started a movement in Black Lives Matter. This was the impetus of the racial reckoning that Kendi and others called a 3rd Reconstruction for Black Americans.
In 2014, Coates' essay in The Atlantic reignited a more serious conversation around reparations for African Americans, sparking a broader dialogue on the idea of systemic racism, historical injustices of redlining in housing and the need for meaningful change. That change would have to be redressed financially, because in capitalism, we can only solve the crisis of capitalism with more capitalism.
This moment is preceded with the early rise of the Black Lives Matter movement, which emerged in response to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin. The movement brought issues of police brutality and racial inequality and in some cases mass incarceration to the forefront of public consciousness, leading to widespread protests and calls for justice.
Over the next several years, the Black political vision became increasingly centered on identity politics, emphasizing the importance of representation and recognition in addressing racial disparities. This focus, however, gradually evolved, as it always does, into a form of patronage politics, where symbolic victories often took precedence over substantive policy changes. Corporate and philanthropic foundations played a significant role in shaping the agenda, funding initiatives that prioritized diversity and inclusion over federally backed plans to tackle deeper systemic issues.
By the time of the George Floyd uprisings in 2020, it seemed as though a transformative moment had arrived. The protests were unprecedented in their scale and intensity, with millions demanding an end to police violence and systemic racism. Yet, despite the outpouring of activism and foundation money and the apparent momentum for change, the underlying structures of power remained largely unchallenged.
Fast forward to today, and we are witnessing a troubling return to "tough on crime" policies reminiscent of the 1990s. Fear of crime and visible homelessness have fueled public anxiety, prompting political leaders in major metropolitan cities like San Francisco, New York, and Los Angeles to revert to strategies that prioritize law and order over social justice. This shift highlights the limitations of a decade-long racial reckoning that, while significant, ultimately fell short of achieving the transformative change many had hoped for.
As we examine this period, we must ask ourselves: What were the successes and failures of this era of racial reckoning? How did identity politics shape the movement, and what role did foundations play in guiding its direction? Most importantly, how can we learn from this history to build a more effective and lasting movement for racial justice in the future?
Join us as we delve into these questions and more, exploring the complex legacy of the past decade's racial reckoning and its implications for the ongoing struggle for equality and justice in America.
Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
Wednesday Jul 10, 2024
Today, J.G. have the distinct pleasure of interviewing a true icon of independent cinema, writer and director Alex Cox. Known for his distinctive style and rebellious spirit, Alex Cox has made a significant mark on the film industry with his unique vision and uncompromising approach to storytelling.
Alex Cox first burst onto the scene in the mid-1980s with his cult classic (that we watched here on TIR movie night most recently) "Repo Man," a film that masterfully blends punk rock, science fiction and dark comedy. He followed this with the critically acclaimed "Sid and Nancy," a gritty and poignant portrayal of the tumultuous relationship between Sex Pistols bassist Sid Vicious and Nancy Spungen. Throughout his career, Cox has consistently challenged conventional filmmaking norms, producing a body of work that is both provocative and thought-provoking.
Today we will not only be discussing Alex’s past works, but his latest vision, “My Last Movie”. My "last movie" is a Western version of Nicolai Gogol's "Dead Souls' '. According to Alex, Dead Souls, “..is a great book, full of irony, mystery and meaning.” Alex is once again bypassing Hollywood by starting a crowdfunding campaign. Wherever you are listening to or watching there is a link in the description to contribute.
Join us as we sit down with Alex Cox, a maverick filmmaker whose work has left an indelible impact on the world of cinema. Whether you're a longtime fan or new to his films, this conversation promises to be a fascinating journey into the mind of one of the most original voices in contemporary filmmaking.