In this installment of Best Of The Gist, in honor of Superbowl Sunday, we listen back to Mike’s 2019 interview with former Baltimore Raven offensive lineman John Urschel. After his time in the NFL, Urschel went on to get a PhD and have an accomplished career as a mathematician. He is joined by his co-writer, Louisa Thomas—who is also his wife—to discuss their book Mind and Matter: A Life in Math and Football. Then, to honor the Sunday political shows, Mike’s recent Spiel following up on the question of Kristen Welker's insistence on follow-up questions.
This is the first part of our giant chat with Nick Chavez and Phil Neel about their new essay published by Endnotes – Forest and Factory – which offers a truly magnificent argument for how to confront the daunting task of overcoming capitalism, for how to imagine the seemingly impossible alternatives of a non-capitalist society, and for how to build the necessary reality of a communist society. A communism that not only functions, but flourishes by lifting humanity out of the pits of hell known as capital and advancing a model of life based on free time, free association, and free abundance of everything needed and desired. Their essay is not merely another case of magical realism – wishing for utopia and ignoring the hard parts – rather it offers a serious, scientific, and specific analysis of communist construction.
••• Forest and Factory: The Science and the Fiction of Communism | Nick Chavez, Phil Neel https://endnotes.org.uk/posts/forest-and-factory
••• Order a zine of the essay here https://shop.haters.life/products/forest-and-factory-zine-2-pack
••• Follow Nick https://twitter.com/DFManufracture
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Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (www.twitter.com/jathansadowski) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.twitter.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (www.twitter.com/braunestahl)
At Lunar New Year, certain foods are particularly lucky to eat. Why? Because in Chinese, their names are puns on fortunate things. Damn, maybe noodles are all it takes to get me into puns after all... Professor Miranda Brown, cultural historian of China specialising in food and drink, explains the wordplay foods of new year, and why names are so resonant in Chinese.
Get the transcript of this episode, and find links to Miranda Brown's work and more information about the topics therein, at theallusionist.org/fortune.
This episode was produced by me, Helen Zaltzman. The music is by Martin Austwick of palebirdmusic.com.
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World Book Café heads to Madrid to talk to writers about a new boom in feminist fiction. A few month after the resignation of President of the Spanish Football Federation over a non-consensual kiss of footballer Jenni Hermoso at the World Cup final, World Book Café investigates how Madrid’s women writers are challenging gender roles in the books world.
Before the Kansas City Chiefs face off against the San Francisco 49ers, we’ve got a look at the companies sponsoring the game, and a look at gambling history.
Mary Long caught up with Motley Fool Senior Analyst Jason Moser for conversation about the publicly traded companies associated with the game, and find out if any are worth an investor’s attention.
Plus, Mary interviews Dave Schwartz, Ombuds at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas and a student of gambling history.
An estimated 75% of Americans plan to watch the Super Bowl. But of course, the halftime show - this year featuring Usher - is also a big draw! Joe Pompliano is breaking down the money involved, how performers are chosen, and more. Plus, his take on Taylor Swift mania.
What's the Word: Cardinal; News Items: New Virus-Like Microbes Found, SLIM Lunar Lander, Misinformation and Wellness Influencers, Super Earth in Habitable Zone, Climate Change and Storms; Who's That Noisy, Name That Logical Fallacy, Science or Fiction
Israel prepares for a possible ground invasion of the southern end of Gaza. The failure of a border control measures shows the waning power of Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. The Kansas City Chiefs are poised to win their second consecutive NFL championship.