Darts and Letters

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Darts and Letters episodes

January 29, 2021 EP8.1: Bantering with Bannon
In this bonus episode, host Gordon Katic speaks with Ben Teitelbaum, author of a fascinating new-ish book called War for Eternity. He spent over 20 hours with Steve Bannon, as well as a wider network of far-right thinkers and strategists. Honestly, the things they say will surprise you. These proto-fascist thinkers of today are Traditionalists, … Read More Read More
1 hr 17 min
January 22, 2021EP8: I Can’t Believe It’s Not Fascism!
Donald Trump is no longer president—the Biden era has officially begun. But it begins still reeling from a siege on the capital. As we said last week, we have to figure out how to respond. But respond intelligently.
This week, we train our eye on fascism. It has been the most raucous debate online: was Trump a fascist? Were the capital rioters fascists? Does it matter what we call it? And most importantly: what do we do about it?
First (@5:12), Joan Braune is an activist and philosopher at Gonzaga University who studies the far-right. She says the threat of home-grown fascism is real—but we shouldn’t respond the way we did after 9/11. It’s not about the national security state; it’s about social movements. We need to out-organize.
Then (@20:17), Patrik Hermansson, a director and researcher of far-right extremism, takes us behind the scenes to meet the so-called “intellectuals” of the emerging far right. He spent an entire year undercover with them—he hung out with them, went to their conferences, even spoke at one. The whole time with a hidden camera. Patrik tells us the story of infiltrating the far right—behind their façade of intellectual respectability, what do they actually believe? It’s not pretty.
Also, (@43:48) Daniel Bessner is an historian at the Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington. He isn’t buying all this fascism talk. At least, not when it comes to Trump. He has been one of the most vocal voices online saying Trump isn’t a fascist. Not because he likes Trump: of course not. But because he’s warning of a new ‘liberal authoritarianism.’ He worries about how the Biden administration might capitalize on this threat to consolidate their powers and squash dissent—especially left-wing dissent.
Finally, (@56:50) Vincent Bevins gives us the international view. Vincent is journalist and author of the extraordinary book The Jakarta Method, about the US cold war policy of backing brutally repressive military regimes. To Vincent, fascism is imperialism turned inwards. And what we saw in the capital—whatever you want to call it— it’s the kind of thing the US has been doing abroad for a long long time.
——————-SUPPORT THE SHOW——————-
We need your support. If you like what you hear, chip in. You can find us on patreon.com/dartsandletters. Patreon subscribers usually get the episode a day early, and sometimes will also receive bonus content.
Don’t have the money to chip in this week? Not to fear, you can help in other ways. For one: subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. It helps other people find our work
——————-FURTHER READING & LISTENING——————-
Bessner, Daniel and Ben Burgis. “Trump is a Threat to Democracy. But That Doesn’t Mean He’s Winning.” Jacobin. Jan. 15, 2020.
Bessner, Daniel and Udi Greenberg. “The Weimar Analogy.” Jacobin. Dec. 17, 2016.
Bevins, Vincent. “The Hour of the Barbarian.” N+1. Jan. 11, 2021.
Bevins, Vincent. The Jakarta Method: Washington’s Anti-Communist Crusade and the Mass Murder Program That Shaped the World. Public Affairs. 2020.
Braune, Joan. “It’s Time for a Different Strategy.” Range. Jan. 11, 2021.
Halper, Katie. “Is Trumpism Fascism? Debate w/ Jason Stanley, Jodi Dead, Sam Moyn, Daniel Bessner, Eugene Puryear.” The Katie Halper Show. Jan. 15, 2021.
HOPE not Hate. Undercover in the Alt-Right. 2019.
Sitman, Matthew and Sam Adler-Bell. “Did It Happen Here?” Know Your Enemy. Jan. 17, 2021.
—————————-CONTACT US————————-
To stay up to date, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. If you’d like to write us, email [email protected] or tweet Gordon directly.
—————————-CREDITS—————————-
Darts and Letters’ lead producer is Jay Cockburn, and our chase producer is Marc Apollonio. With research and support from David Moscrop and professors Ronald Beiner at the University of Toronto, and A. James McAdams at the University of Notre Dame.
Our theme song and music was created by Mike Barber, and our graphic design was created by Dakota Koop.
This episode received support by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research, which provided us a research grant to look at the concept of “public intellectualism.” Professor Allen Sens at the University of British Columbia is the lead academic advisor. We are also supported by a wider project looking at the rise of far political ideologies – that project is run by Professors Andre Gagne, Ronald Beiner, and A. James McAdams.
This show is produced by Cited Media, which makes other great shows like Cited Podcast and Crackdown.
Darts and Letters is produced in Toronto, which is on the traditional land of Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples. It is also produced in Vancouver, BC, which is on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
1 hr 9 min
January 22, 2021 EP8: I Can’t Believe It’s Not Fascism!
Donald Trump is no longer president—the Biden era has officially begun. But it begins still reeling from a siege on the capital. As we said last week, we have to figure out how to respond. But respond intelligently. This week, we train our eye on fascism. It has been the most raucous debate online: was … Read More Read More
1 hr 9 min
January 15, 2021EP7: It Takes Coup to Tango
We’re all still processing what just happened on Capitol Hill. Clearly, there is a mounting proto-fascist threat that must be stopped. But liberals are being rash in their response, and this is likely to only enflame things. How can we address these dangers in an intelligent way? More in the weeks to come.
This week, we look squarely at the role of Big Tech. There’s a newly-formed Alphabet Worker’s Union, which could be a game-changer for labour organizing and class consciousness in Silicon Valley. We talk about the future of the big tech monopolies. Both their economic monopolies, and the monopolies they have over our political discourse.
First, in host Gordon Katic’s opening essay, he feels post-9/11 vibes. Remember: the people who were the toughest on Islamic fundamentalists were the ones who exacerbated the threat. Let’s not make the same mistakes.
Next (@13:37), Chewy Shaw has worked at Google/Alphabet for over 10 years, and he’s now the vice chair of the newly-formed Alphabet Worker’s Union. Chewy tells us about what’s wrong at Google – their content moderation policies (and how they fail), their attacks on his colleagues, and how they fail to live up to their motto, ‘don’t be evil.’
Then (@33:24), Alex Press is labour reporter at Jacobin magazine who covered the new union. She tells us about the longer history of labour organizing in Silicon Valley, how tech executives have attempted to stymy it at every turn, and what the Alphabet Workers’ Union might mean for the future.
Finally, (@47:22) Rob Larson is Professor of Economics at Tacoma Community College, and the in-house economist at Current Affairs. We talk about his most recent book, “Bit Tyrants: The Political Economy of Tech,” which explains why big tech tends towards monopoly, why anti-trust will never be enough, and why we need online socialism.
——————-READING——————-
Press, Alex. “Code Red.” N+1, 18 Apr. 2018
Press, Alex. “Google’s New Union Will Put an Unconventional Organizing Model to the Test.” Jacobin Magazine 4 Jan. 2021.
Koul, Parul, and Chewy Shaw. “Opinion | We Built Google. This Is Not the Company We Want to Work For.” The New York Times, 4 Jan. 2021.
Larson, Rob. Bit Tyrants: The Political Economy of Silicon Valley. Haymarket Books, 2020.
——————-SUPPORT THE SHOW——————-
We need your support. If you like what you hear, chip in. You can find us on patreon.com/dartsandletters. Patreon subscribers usually get the episode a day early, and sometimes will also receive bonus content.
Don’t have the money to chip in this week? Not to fear, you can help in other ways. For one: subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. It helps other people find our work.
—————————-CONTACT US————————-
To stay up to date, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. If you’d like to write us, email [email protected] or tweet Gordon directly.
—————————-CREDITS—————————-
Darts and Letters’ lead producer is Jay Cockburn, and our chase producer is Marc Apollonio. With research and support from David Moscrop and Addye Susnick.
Our theme song and music was created by Mike Barber, and our graphic design was created by Dakota Koop.
This episode received support by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research, which provided us a research grant to look at the concept of “public intellectualism.” Professor Allen Sens at the University of British Columbia is the lead academic advisor.
This show is produced by Cited Media, which makes other great shows like Cited Podcast and Crackdown.
Darts and Letters is produced in Toronto, which is on the traditional land of Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples. It is also produced in Vancouver, BC, which is on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
1 hr 10 min
January 15, 2021 EP7: It Takes Coup to Tango
We’re all still processing what just happened on Capitol Hill. Clearly, there is a mounting proto-fascist threat that must be stopped. But liberals are being rash in their response, and this is likely to only enflame things. How can we address these dangers in an intelligent way? More in the weeks to come. This week, … Read More Read More
1 hr 10 min
December 24, 2020 EP6: Katichisms
What’s the matter with Catholics? They are strangely over-represented in the conservative intellectual ranks. From William F. Buckley to Steve Bannon and many others, Catholics have long been the brains of the modern American right. On this holiday episode, we look at the Catholic intelligentsia, and the battle between left and right Catholic voices. First, … Read More Read More
1 hr 17 min
December 24, 2020EP6: Katichisms
What’s the matter with Catholics? They are strangely over-represented in the conservative intellectual ranks. From William F. Buckley to Steve Bannon and many others, Catholics have long been the brains of the modern American right. On this holiday episode, we look at the Catholic intelligentsia, and the battle between left and right Catholic voices.
First, in host Gordon Katic’s opening essay, he discusses his Catholic upbringing. The young atheistic Gordon waged a war of attrition against his parents, and eventually won. Now, he looks at his Catholic upbringing and the broader Catholic intelligentsia with a certain amount of pride, and a certain amount of shame.
Next (@12:45), Kaya Oakes was raised Catholic, left the church, and then returned when she found Catholic leftists who did actually share her values. Today, Kaya is a writer, teacher, and essayist closely watching the contemporary battle for the soul of the church; a battle between a well-funded Catholic right, and a humble grassroots Catholic left.
Then (@27:19), Patrick Allitt is an historian of the modern American conservative movement. He too has noticed Catholics dominate the intellectual ranks, and his first book was on this very subject. He discusses William F. Buckley and the anti-Communist conservative Catholics, and explains why Catholicism and conservatism has become a match made in heaven.
Finally, (@41:45) Patrick O’Neill is a writer, journalist, and Catholic peace activist. On April 4th, 2018, he and 6 other Catholic activists broke into the Kings Bay Naval Submarine Base in Georgia to symbolically disarm the nuclear base. He faces 14 months in prison, which will begin in January 2021. It wouldn’t be the first time. Patrick tells us the story of his midnight sleuthing, of being in prison, and the broader movements of left-wing Catholic peace activism.
——————-SUPPORT THE SHOW——————-
We need your support. If you like what you hear, chip in. You can find us on patreon.com/dartsandletters. Patreon subscribers usually get the episode a day early, and sometimes will also receive bonus content.
Don’t have the money to chip in this week? Not to fear, you can help in other ways. For one: subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. It helps other people find our work.
—————————-CONTACT US————————-
To stay up to date, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. If you’d like to write us, email [email protected] or tweet Gordon directly.
—————————-CREDITS—————————-
This week, Darts and Letters was produced by Alex de Boer and Gordon Katic. The lead research assistant on this episode was Isabelle Lemelin, with consulting and support from David Moscrop and Andre Gagne.
Our theme song and music was created by Mike Barber, and our graphic design was created by Dakota Koop.
This episode received support by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research, which provided us a research grant to look at the concept of “public intellectualism.” Professor Allen Sens at the University of British Columbia is the lead academic advisor. We are also supported by a wider project looking at the rise of far political ideologies – that project is run by Professors Andre Gagne., Ronald Beiner, and A. James McAdams.
This show is produced by Cited Media, which makes other great shows like Cited Podcast and Crackdown.
Darts and Letters is produced in Toronto, which is on the traditional land of Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples. It is also produced in Vancouver, BC, which is on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
1 hr 17 min
December 20, 2020EP5: Prison Notebooks
I can point you to mountains of research about prisons. I can also recommend at least a dozen Netflix documentaries, and highlight a handful of radical activists and scholars. There’s a lot of intellectual work done about prison. But what about intellectual work done in prison?
First, in the opening essay, host Gordon Katic discusses the long history of radical prison writing. From Thoreau to Gramsci, MLK, Oscar Wilde, Eugene Debs, Emma Goldman, and even Wittgenstein.
Next (@5:36), Chandra Bozelko served 6 years, three months, and 11 days in a women’s prison in Connecticut. While inside, she started an award-winning newspaper column. She tells us what writing did for her while inside, and what everyday prison intellectualism really looks like.
Then (@42:30), Justin Piché edits one of the most amazing academic journals you will ever come across. It’s called the Journal of Prisoners on Prisons. It has been around for over thirty years. In each and every edition, you will see brilliant scholarly work—it just so happens that this work is written by prisoners themselves
—————————-SUPPORT THE SHOW—————————-
We need your support. If you like what you hear, chip in. You can find us on patreon.com/dartsandletters. Patreon subscribers get the episode a day early, and sometimes will also receive bonus content.
Don’t have the money to chip in this week? Not to fear, you can help in other ways. For one: subscribe, rate, and review our podcast. It helps other people find our work.
—————————-CONTACT US————————-
To stay up to date, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. If you’d like to write us, email [email protected] or tweet Gordon directly.
—————————-CREDITS—————————-
This week, Darts and Letters was produced by Jay Cockburn. Research and support from David Moscrop and Addye Susnick. Our theme song and music was created by Mike Barber, and our graphic design was created by Dakota Koop.
This episode received support by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research, which provided us a research grant to look at the concept of “public intellectualism.” Professor Allen Sens at the University of British Columbia is the lead academic advisor.
This show is produced by Cited Media, which makes other great shows like Cited Podcast and Crackdown.
Darts and Letters is produced in Toronto, which is on the traditional land of Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples. It is also produced in Vancouver, BC, which is on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
1 hr 2 min
December 20, 2020 EP5: Prison Notebooks
I can point you to mountains of research about prisons. I can also recommend at least a dozen Netflix documentaries, and highlight a handful of radical activists and scholars. There’s a lot of intellectual work done about prison. But what about intellectual work done in prison? First, in the opening essay, host Gordon Katic discusses the … Read More Read More
1 hr 2 min
December 19, 2020 EP4.1: Auditing the Auditors
Our last episode, “the Conquest of Bread,” was about McKinsey and Co. encroaching on higher education. In this bonus episode, we put these developments in a wider context. That context: audit culture. Put simply, it’s governing by numbers.
Marc Spooner, professor of education, tells us about the wider intellectual history of audit culture, and why it’s so dangerous for higher education. You’ll hear about ‘the auditors’ from the Soviet Union, to Margaret Thatcher, Robert McNamara, and McKinsey. In education, audit culture happened to be sold with progressive aspirations, but so often it backfired. Marc gives a few strategies to students and scholars who are looking to resist audit culture, and stick to the principles of being true public intellectuals.
This is a bonus episode and an experiment. We’ll do this every now and again. It’s a companion piece and a loosely edited deep dive into the themes we discussed in the main episode. It’s for the real heads. If you like it (or if you don’t), let us know. If you want more episodes like this and other bonus materials, we’ll start making them more often. So chip in on patreon.com/dartsandletters.
—————————-CONTACT US————————-
To stay up to date, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. If you’d like to write us, email [email protected] or tweet Gordon directly.
—————————-CREDITS—————————-
This week, Darts and Letters was produced by Jay Cockburn. Our theme song and music was created by Mike Barber, and our graphic design was created by Dakota Koop.
This episode received support by the Social Sciences and Humanities Research, which provided us a research grant to look at the concept of “public intellectualism.” Professor Allen Sens at the University of British Columbia is the lead academic advisor. This is also part of a wider project looking at neoliberal educational reforms, led by Professor Marc Spooner at the University of Regina. Professor Spooner provided research consulting on this episode.
This show is produced by Cited Media, which makes other great shows like Cited Podcast and Crackdown.
Darts and Letters is produced in Toronto, which is on the traditional land of Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee and the Wendat Peoples. It is also produced in Vancouver, BC, which is on the unceded territories of the Musqueam, Squamish, and Tsleil-Waututh Nations.
57 min

About Darts and Letters

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This is about ‘arts and letters,’ but for the kind of people who might hack a dart. We cover public intellectualism and the politics of academia from a left perspective. Each week, we interview…