Get access to The Backroom (90+ exclusive episodes) and support 1Dime Radio: https://www.patreon.com/OneDime

This week on 1Dime Radio, I am joined by Noj Rants, one of the sharpest new voices in Soviet history on YouTube. We go straight at the myths that both mainstream commentators and newer Marxist sympathizers tend to repeat, especially about the Lenin era, the Soviets themselves, and how the Soviet state actually functioned. We talk about bad historiography, timeline compression, “Lenin died, then Stalin took over” simplifications, Civil War narratives, archives, and why so much of Soviet history discourse ends up polarized into propaganda versus counterpropaganda. 

In the Backroom segment on Patreon, NOJ Rants, and I keep going for four more hours, continuing the conversation. It is split into two parts, covering a wide range of Soviet history debates across multiple periods. In these two Patreon exclusive episodes, NOJ Rants, and I continue our conversation about contentious events in Soviet history, from the development of the Bolshevik one‑party state to the realities of Soviet “democracy.” We also discuss the Stalin period, the Red Purges, and NOJ Rants' hot takes on Marxism‑Leninism and the lessons of Soviet state-building.  I basically throw every question you can imagine at him and get his take on the biggest controversies, interpretations, and myths. We also get into the state of left-wing YouTube today, and how prominent leftist creators, especially Marxist-Leninists, tend to cover Soviet history.

Timestamps:

00:00:00  The Backroom Preview 

00:04:51  The Best Soviet History YouTuber

00:10:05  Where to start reading Soviet history, the best historians and books

00:20:19  Stalin Wasn't a Dictator According to the CIA?  

00:37:43 The Soviet archives 

00:42:36  How the Russian Civil War Timeline Gets Re-Written

00:44:44  Soviet elections, Mensheviks, SRs, & the Socialist Opposition

00:47:43 The Truth About Imperialist Encirclement

01:11:52  The Constituent Assembly and Bolshevik Consolidation

01:29:05   Was Soviet Democracy a real thing? 

01:33:19  Prelude to the 4-hour Backroom Segment (Parts 2 and 2)

GUEST:

NOJ Rants (YouTuber, Soviet history)

• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@nojrants

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 #soviethistory  #sovietunion 

#russianrevolution 

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Get access to The Backroom (85+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OneDime

Benjamin Studebaker returns to 1Dime Radio to break down the meaning of Zohran Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist who was just sworn in as the new Mayor of New York City, and what his rise means for the Left, what to expect, and whether his policies are actually socialist whatsoever.  

In the Backroom exclusive on Patreon, we get deeper into Studebaker’s theory of “Neo-Leftism” and how it differs from both the New Left and Old Left. It's quite a fascinating episode! 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Neo-Leftism (The Backroom Preview)

00:04:21 Mamdani Sworn in as Mayor of NYC

00:13:14 Offshoring, tariffs, labor power

00:15:54 Socialism in One City

00:56:22 Childcare Debate

01:12:36 The Real Reason Mamdani  Won

01:30:49 Backroom tease, closing

GUEST:

Benjamin Studebaker (Political Theorist, PhD University of Cambridge), author of The Chronic Crisis of American Democracy

• X: https://x.com/BMStudebaker

• Substack: https://bmstudebaker.substack.com/

• Website: https://benjaminstudebaker.com/

FOLLOW 1Dime:

• Substack (Articles and Essays): https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyof1dime/

• Check out my main channel videos: https://www.youtube.com/@1Dimee

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A Christian critique of Capitalism by Tony of 1Dime

Since there won't be a new episode of 1Dime Radio this week, I decided to release a voice-over of an essay manuscript I had written on Christianity, capitalism, and a vision of socialism founded on Christian principles. Merry Christmas and happy holidays to all of you!

Become a Patron if you wish to support my work: https://www.patreon.com/c/OneDime

Subscribe to my Substack: https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime

Get access to The Backroom (Almost 90+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OneDime

In this episode of 1Dime Radio, I am joined by American sociologist Musa Al-Gharbi to discuss his book "We Have Never Been Woke" which is by far the most scholarly work on the topic of “wokeness.” Al‑Gharbi provides a materialist theory of the economics and social dynamics that drive what we call "wokeism" and the great disconnect between what he calls “symbolic capitalists” (the section of the Professional Managerial Class within discourse/symbol generating industries like Media, Academia, Art, and Entertainment) and the rest of society. Al-Gharbi's book provides rigorous empirical research on social attitudes, class structures, and identifies four patterns that he calls "the great awokenings" which are driven by "elite overproduction" and liberals and leftists appear the same to so many people.

In The Backroom (on Patreon), Musa and I continue the conversation by connecting Musa’s materialist socio-economic theory of Wokeness and Symbolic Capitalists to Tony’s Genealogy of Wokeism essay, plus additional examples, arguments, and pushback that we did not have time for on the main episode.

Timestamps:

00:00:00  Changing Minds vs Material Conditions (The Backroom Preview)

00:05:34  An Empirical Theory of Wokeism 

00:14:41  Who are The “Symbolic Capitalists”?

00:23:55  Top 20% not just the 1%

00:33:45  Elite overproduction and intra-elite competition

00:38:31  The 2010s The Great Awokening 

00:53:58  Is “woke” dead? Tech backlash, Trump era shifts

00:59:14  The Four Great Awokenings, mapped

01:00:04  First Awokening (1920s–30s): identity politics before the 60s

01:03:51  Orwell’s warning

01:07:02  Progressive paternalism and Managerial politics 

01:15:41  Turning Standpoint Epistimology back on elites

01:19:31  Policing, crime, and what Black voters actually want

01:24:10  Do Woke People believe in Woke ideas? Does Sincerity Matter?

01:28:19  What about the bottom 80%? 

01:33:19  Diversity and Totemic Capital

01:36:49  Backroom teaser: Tony’s Genealogy of Wokeism Essay

GUEST:

Musa Al-Gharbi (American sociologist), author of *We Have Never Been Woke*

• Book announcement and links: https://musaalgharbi.substack.com/p/we-have-never-been-woke-available-now

• Musa’s website: https://musaalgharbi.com

Musa’s Substack: https://musaalgharbi.substack.com

FOLLOW 1Dime:

• Substack (Articles and Essays): https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyof1dime/

• Check out my main channel videos: https://www.youtube.com/@1Dimee

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Get access to The Backroom (80+ EXCLUSIVE episodes): https://www.patreon.com/OneDime⁠

Given there is some confusion regarding my positions on immigration, I decided to release the BACKROOM exclusive episode (originally supposed to be for Patrons only) that I did with Benjamin Studebaker (Cambridge, and author of the Chronic Crisis of American Democracy) all on the subject of immigration,—what both the left and right get wrong, and what leftists & liberals don't understand about the rise of the far-right in Europe. This episode is a heavy one! 

The conversation delves into the complexities of immigration and why the left needs a better response to mass migration and how the far-right captured many working class people across the world. We address topics such as the assimilation, social cohesion, demographic change, brain drain, declining bargaining power, and  the socio-economic impacts of immigration, globalization, and neoliberalism more broadly. The dialogue also touches on the challenges and necessities of having an open discourse on immigration without falling into binary thinking ideological trap.

Timestamps: 

00:00 How Leftists and and Liberals Often Respond to immigration

04:25 Social Cohesion and Integration

12:55 Brain Drain and Economic Imperialism 

18:46 Assimilation Challenges

30:58 Modern Immigration Policies

45:21 European Union and Migration

55:07 Racism, Xenophobia and tribalism

56:05 Trust and Integration in Multi-Ethnic Societies

58:27 Leftist and Liberal Perspectives on Immigration

01:05:22 Cosmopolitanism vs. Localism

01:24:09 The Role of the Professional Managerial Class (PMC)

01:34:45 Technocratic Mindset and Immigration

01:39:58 Its about more than  "Living Standards"

01:41:45 Internationalism and Globalism Critique

01:45:39 Managerialism in Progressivism

01:52:14 Challenges of Assimilation and Immigration

02:27:13 Climate Change and Refugee Crisis

02:28:31 Concluding Thoughts on Political Discourse

GUEST:Benjamin Studebaker — political theorist; author of Legitimacy in Liberal Democracies and The Chronic Crisis of Liberal Democracy.• 

Website: https://benjaminstudebaker.com/about/• Follow Benjamin Studebaker on X: https://x.com/BMStudebaker

FOLLOW 1Dime: 

• Substack (Articles and Essays): https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime 

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial 

• Instagram: / tonyof1dime

• Check out my main channel videos: / @1dimee

Check out my main channel videos: https://www.youtube.com/@1Dimee.

Outro Music by Karl Casey.

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Get access to The Backroom (80+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon.com/onedimeIn this episode of 1Dime Radio, I have an in-depth discussion with Ross Wolfe about neo-Stalinism. We examine the influence of Domenico Losurdo, and how his work relates to a niche defence of Marxism-Leninism. We take up the concepts of state power and revolution, and how the history of liberalism is often misinterpreted by modern activists. In the Backroom on Patreon, Ross Wolfe and I explore just what is “Western Marxism.” Is there a widely agreed upon definition? To do this, Wolfe and I have to unpack its origins, and the polemics by Losurdo, Gabriel Rockhill and others. We try to pin down the line between socialistic critique of capitalism, and simple anti-Western sentiment.TimeStamps: 00:00 Losurdo and Rockhill The (Backroom Sneak Peek) 03:48 Critique of Neo-Stalinism and Marxism-Leninism 06:29 The Influence of Dominico Losurdo 47:23 Historical Inaccuracies in Losurdo's Work 51:14 Trotsky's Legacy and Stalin's Tactics 01:01:21 Debating Marxism, Communism, and State PowerGuest (Ross Wolfee): X/Twitter: https://x.com/rosswolfe?lang=enFind His Articles on Losurdo here: https://thecharnelhouse.org/author/rosslaurencewolfe/FOLLOW 1Dime: • Substack (Articles and Essays): https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime • X/Twitter: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial • Instagram: / tonyof1dime• Check out my main channel videos: / @1dimeeOutro Music by Karl Casey. Leave a like, drop a comment, and give the show a 5-star rating on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to this.

Get access to The Backroom (80+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon: ⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/OneDime⁠

In this episode of 1Dime Radio, I have a provocative discussion with a much-requested guest, Vivek Chibber. Chibber is a professor and published writer (Catalyst and Jacobin). We discuss the state of the left today, and whether recent elections mark meaningful shifts in socialist political organizing. We also cover the challenges of building working-class support amidst the rise and conflicting interests of white collar professionals. The conversation touches on political compromise, and the influence of post-colonial theory in academia. 

In the Backroom exclusive segment on Patreon, Vivek Chibber and I specifically discuss Zohran Mamdani and his recent election. Will he and the DSA political strategy be enough to ensure a sustainable rise of socialism? 

Timestamps:

0:00 Understanding Democratic Socialism and Traditional Socialism

03:28 The Crisis of the Left: Organizational and Intellectual Weakness

07:18 Rebuilding the Left: Strategies for Organizing Workers

33:50 The Left's Relationship with Small Business Owners and Farmers

35:16 Voting Patterns and Class Interests

44:13 The Decline of Traditional Left-Wing Parties

56:41 Defining Capitalism and Socialism

59:05 Transition to The Backroom

GUEST:

Vivek Chibber, professor of sociology and author of Confronting Capitalism: How the World Works and How to Change It. You can also follow Chibber’s work in the publications Catalyst and Jacobin.

FOLLOW 1Dime:

Substack (Articles and Essays): https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime

 X/Twitter: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyof1dime...

Check out my main channel videos:    / @1dimee

Outro Music by Karl Casey

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Get access to The Backroom (80+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OneDime

In this episode of 1Dime Radio, I sit down with philosopher Isabel Millar, author of The Psychoanalysis of Artificial Intelligence, to think through ChatGPT and large language models using psychoanalysis. We get into Lacan and the Real, Symbolic, and Imaginary. Freud on repression and desire. Žižek on ideology and enjoyment. Then we push these ideas onto LLMs, from “hallucinations” and fantasy, to whether machines can “want,” to Big Other dynamics, creativity, safety, and the politics around AI.

In The Backroom on Patreon, Isabel and I talk about love in the age of Artificial Intelligence, AI girlfriends, sexbots, and how OnlyFans and prostitution relate to the psychoanalytic understanding of Sexuality itself, which is different from the conventional understanding of sex.  

Timestamps:

00:00:00 Sexbotification, AI Girlfriends, & more (The Backroom Preview)

00:03:55 The Importance of Psychoanalysis, Lacan & Freud

00:14:45 The Stupidity of Intelligence, The Unconscious, Drive vs Desire

00:20:43 Can AI "think"? Can AI "enjoy"? Desire, Lack & Enjoyment

00:45:43 Can AI become "Conscious" according to Psychoanalysis?  

00:54:56 Are ChatGPT and large language models becoming a 'Big Other' or an oracle of authority?

01:04:52 Can AI be creative or "original" in the psychoanalytic sense?

01:13:43 Love in The Age of Artificial Intelligence

GUEST:

Isabelle Millar, philosopher, author of The Psychoanalysis of Artificial Intelligence

• Website: https://www.isabelmillar.com/

FOLLOW 1Dime:

• Substack (Articles and Essays): https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime

• X/Twitter: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyof1dime

• Check out my main channel videos: https://www.youtube.com/@1Dimee

Outro Music by Karl Casey.

Leave a like, drop a comment, and give the show a 5-star rating on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to this.

Get access to The Backroom (80+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/OneDime⁠

In this episode of 1Dime Radio, I am joined again by Professor ⁠Catherine Liu⁠, author of the book ⁠Virtue Horders⁠, to talk about the recent victory of Zohran Mamdani, the crisis of the Democratic Party, liberalism as ideology of decay, and her upcoming book on Trauma Culture and why everyone in liberal America suddenly identifies as “traumatized” and how that shapes politics, morality, and everyday life.

In the Backroom exclusive segment on Patreon, Catherine and I discuss the potential impact of AI on the PMC (Professional Managerial Class), liberal parenting, and have a lot of fun roasting liberal-leftists. 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 AI and white collar layoffs (The Backroom Preview) 

00:03:06  Catherine Liu returns 

00:03:49 Zohran Mamdani’s victory Analysis: Lessons for Leftists

00:29:44 The Tucker Carlson Left

00:37:05  Is the Left Becoming Less Woke?

00:40:30  Trauma culture, therapy speak, and New Age Capitalism

00:50:10  Liberalism as ideology of decay

00:58:27  From second-wave feminism to PMC “girlboss” feminism

01:02:04  Socialist feminism, PMC feminism, and family policy

01:07:58  Liberal parenting, mental illness, and the crisis of adulthood

GUEST:Catherine Liu, professor of film and media studies at UC Irvine and author of Virtue Hoarders and an upcoming book on trauma culture• Follow Catherine’s work and lectures via UC Irvine and her public talks online

FOLLOW 1Dime:• Substack (Articles and Essays): https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime• X/Twitter: ⁠https://x.com/1DimeOfficial⁠• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyof1dime/?hl=en&g=5

• Check out my main channel videos: https://www.youtube.com/@1Dimee

Outro Music by Karl Casey

Leave a like, drop a comment, and give the show a 5-star rating on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to this.

Get access to The Backroom (80+ exclusive episodes) on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/OneDime

In this episode of 1Dime Radio, I am joined again by Professor Catherine Liu, author of the book Virtue Horders, to talk about the recent victory of Zohran Mamdani, the crisis of the Democratic Party, liberalism as ideology of decay, and her upcoming book on Trauma Culture and why everyone in liberal America suddenly identifies as “traumatized” and how that shapes politics, morality, and everyday life.

In the Backroom exclusive segment on Patreon, Catherine and I discuss the potential impact of AI on the PMC (Professional Managerial Class), liberal parenting, and have a lot of fun roasting liberal-leftists. 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 AI and white collar layoffs (The Backroom Preview) 

00:03:06  Catherine Liu returns 

00:03:49 Zohran Mamdani’s victory Analysis: Lessons for Leftists

00:29:44 The Tucker Carlson Left

00:37:05  Is the Left Becoming Less Woke?

00:40:30  Trauma culture, therapy speak, and New Age Capitalism

00:50:10  Liberalism as ideology of decay

00:58:27  From second-wave feminism to PMC “girlboss” feminism

01:02:04  Socialist feminism, PMC feminism, and family policy

01:07:58  Liberal parenting, mental illness, and the crisis of adulthood

GUEST:
Catherine Liu, professor of film and media studies at UC Irvine and author of Virtue Hoarders and an upcoming book on trauma culture
• Follow Catherine’s work and lectures via UC Irvine and her public talks online

FOLLOW 1Dime:
• Substack (Articles and Essays): https://substack.com/@tonyof1dime
• X/Twitter: https://x.com/1DimeOfficial
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tonyof1dime/?hl=en&g=5

• Check out my main channel videos: https://www.youtube.com/@1Dimee

Outro Music by Karl Casey

Leave a like, drop a comment, and give the show a 5-star rating on Spotify, Apple, or wherever you listen to this.