We discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk and its potential role as a catalyst of further violence and blowback by right-wing forces who want to avenge a martyr, by left-wing groups who want to kick off years of lead, or perhaps as simply another immense yet ephemeral moment in a strange world where “our whole life is surrounded by an immense accumulation of spectacles.” Then we segue expertly to talking about a new essay on “the weaponized world economy,” which adds great detail and depth to our analysis of the geoeconomic dynamics and conflicts that drive global politics, markets, finance and technology.

••• What We Know About the Hyundai-LG Plant Immigration Raid in Georgia https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/07/us/politics/hyundai-plant-immigration-raid-georgia.html

••• The Weaponized World Economy https://www.foreignaffairs.com/united-states/weaponized-world-economy-farrell-newman

••• BRICS in 2025 https://www.phenomenalworld.org/analysis/brics-in-2025/

Standing Plugs:

••• Order Jathan’s new book: https://www.ucpress.edu/book/9780520398078/the-mechanic-and-the-luddite

••• Subscribe to Ed’s substack: https://substack.com/@thetechbubble

••• Subscribe to TMK on patreon for premium episodes: https://www.patreon.com/thismachinekills

Hosted by Jathan Sadowski (bsky.app/profile/jathansadowski.com) and Edward Ongweso Jr. (www.x.com/bigblackjacobin). Production / Music by Jereme Brown (bsky.app/profile/jebr.bsky.social)