Cracks in Postmodernity

Mary Harrington joins the pod to discuss Baudrillard's 1986 book America, NYC vs. LA vs. London, and Reagan's culture war.

Subscribe to our Substack: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com

Amidst the enforcement of speech codes, reactionary backlash, and an uptick in political violence, debates about the future of the First Amendment have taken center stage. Various ideological factions have emerged, emphasizing the need for speech to be free, ethical, or true. But what of the need for speech that is meaningful, that inspires profound thought and contributes concretely to the common good, and that is—in the least—genuinely interesting?

As a platform dedicated to rising above the discord in today’s divisive, self-serious discourse by prioritizing matters that transcend the merely ideological, Cracks in Postmodernity has highlighted Mana Afsari's writings about her encounters with the “sensitive young men” drawn to MAGA, which shed light on those who are fed up with groupthink and conformism, and who are in search of a space for intellectual vitality; and Shadi Hamid’s frankness about his shifting attitude toward the American project, from his outright skepticism toward attempts to import the glories of American liberalism abroad, to his more recent embrace—albeit a measured one—of American dominance as “the world’s best hope.”

Shadi and Mana joined us on 12/11 for our first-ever event in Washington DC to discuss the future of American public discourse.

Pierre d'Alancaisez and Amir Naaman join the pod to discuss their new book Inversion, gay narcissism, victimhood, Queers for Palestine, and more.

Purchase Inversion here: https://verdur.in/inversion/

And read an excerpt of Stephen's chapter here: https://www.compactmag.com/article/how-gay-identity-trumped-gay-sex/

Subscribe to our Substack: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com

Evelyn Quartz joins the pod to discuss #Resistance politics, Trump & Zohran's false populism, Charlie Kirk, No Kings, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Lina Khan.

Check out Evelyn's article in Cracks in PoMo

https://cracksinpomo.substack.com/p/c

And check out her Substack

https://quartzevelyn.substack.com/

Subscribe to our Substack: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com

Cory Doctorow joins the pod to discuss his book 'Enshittification,' anti-trust policy, Lina Khan, and buying local.

Check out our other content on 'Enshittification'

https://cracksinpomo.substack.com/p/everything-is-crap-and-its-only-getting

https://nopomo.substack.com/p/the-lina-khan-horseshoe

Subscribe to our Substack: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com

Hollis Robbins joins the pod to discuss the future of higher ed, the impact of AI, and her love for Ayn Rand.

Follow Hollis on Substack https://hollisrobbinsanecdotal.substack.com/

And read our pieces on the future of higher ed

https://www.compactmag.com/contributor/hollis/https://cracksinpomo.substack.com/p/dont-send-your-kids-to-college

Subscribe to our Substack: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com

Jacob Williams joins the pod to discuss his conversion to Islam, the differences between Islam & Christianity, and the specter of an Islamic postliberalism.

Subscribe to our Substack: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com

In this episode of the ⁠⁠⁠Viral Cure: Making sense of internet discourse ⁠⁠⁠series, ⁠⁠⁠Stephen joins Research Associate at Aspen Philosophy & Society Mana Afsari, who has written several compelling essays about gender, politics, and internet discourse. We discuss:

• the ways that internet forums influence discourse on gender identity
• how current US political figures are shaping men's sense of identity and social function
• Mana's tools for moving past reactive discourse on the internet, engaging with the stories we read more critically, and recognizing the human element hidden within ideological platitudes

Thanks to Interintellect for hosting our salon! https://interintellect.com/

Subscribe to the Substack: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com

In this episode of the ⁠⁠Viral Cure: Making sense of internet discourse ⁠⁠series, ⁠⁠⁠Stephen joins journalist Ross Barkan, who responds to both national and local political issues with a balanced, nuanced take. We discuss:

• how Ross attempts to respond intelligently, rather than to react emotionally, to his political opponents
• tactics for speaking and writing candidly about both the strengths and weaknesses of one's own political positions
• the value of becoming informed on and engaged in local political initiatives

Thanks to Interintellect for hosting our salon! https://interintellect.com/

Subscribe to the Substack: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com

In this episode of the ⁠Viral Cure: Making sense of internet discourse ⁠series, ⁠⁠Stephen G. Adubato⁠⁠, joins &Campaign founder Justin E. Giboney, whose work focuses on giving people to tools to have tough conversations about divisive issues. We discuss:

• how Justin works to bring people together from across the ideological spectrum
• tools for engaging in challenging conversations with people we disagree with
• the importance of cultivating critical thinking and dialogue skills in a polarized public square

Thanks to Interintellect for hosting our salon! https://interintellect.com/

Subscribe to the Substack: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com