OBEY

4/9/2021 - In this episode, we look at the narrative around the Derek Chauvin trial now that we're a couple weeks in. We talk about the corporate press' framing of the prosecution and the likely situation where Chauvin could be acquitted. We also talk about the potential fallout of any outcome that doesn't convict Chauvin and what agendas will likely benefit from more protests/riots.

We also go through a piece on Vox that talks about Floyd's drug use and weirdly omits that Floyd was saying he couldn't breathe well before he had a knee on his neck.

This episode isn't a defense of Derek Chauvin; it's more an admission that he will not be guilty in our court system and thinking out loud about the narrative the corporate press is shaping. 

Vox Article: https://www.vox.com/first-person/22373806/george-floyd-trial-derek-chauvin-minneapolis-black-lives-matter

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@MatthewTKeck

Also, check out "Beyond Talking Points"! Two people with very different political ideologies talk policy and philosophy!

In the first episode of the OBEY Podcast Live, Matt is joined by ArcaicSkidz to talk about the liberty movement, contemporary politics, and more! We cover the Chauvin/Floyd trial and forecast the fallout, we talk about the NAP, the capital riot, the republican party, what anarchy would look like in real life, and so much more.   

ArcaicSkidz YT Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCpNaQsn-EjXpYrUlLnpYAgw

ArcaicSkidz Twitter: @Austin30814409

Matthew's Twitter: @TheObeyPodcast and @MatthewTKeck

4/5/2021 - In this episode, we think out loud about a few ideas. We start with the often cited statement that libertarians are "economically conservative, socially liberal". It may be a coincidence that libertarians and the left agree on gay marriage and legalizing drugs, and there are social issues where left wing people are far more authoritarian. We also explore the situation in Georgia where left wing activists pressured Coca Cola into making a statement about voting legislation. And we think about what it means that left wing people are often informed of their opinions by the government; when are private decisions based on government messaging? What does that situation mean for those involved?

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@TheObeyPodcast

@MatthewTKeck

Also, check out "Beyond Talking Points"! Two people with very different political ideologies talk policy and philosophy!

3/24/2021  - In this episode, we talk about the filibuster and earmarks and the way these parts of the legislative process show the inevitable pitfalls of legislation in the United States.

We mostly talk about the filibuster, framed by Mitch McConnell's recent WSJ op-ed. Then we touch on the recent comments relating to earmarks in the house. Katie Porter's call not to bring back earmarks can be read here.

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https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-scorched-earth-senate-11616000875?mod=searchresults_pos4&page=1

https://www.wsj.com/articles/my-fellow-democrats-let-earmarks-stay-in-the-dustbin-of-history-11615576424?mod=searchresults_pos3&page=1

Twitter

@TheObeyPodcast

@MatthewTKeck

Also, check out "Beyond Talking Points"! Two people with very different political ideologies talk policy and philosophy!

3/23/2021  - In this episode, we talk about the use of race based narratives in politics. We briefly talk about the shooting in Georgia and how people are reacting to it in terms of race. Then, we compare this to how certain policies are being pushed in the name of "equity", such as the Fed pushing low interest rates. We talk about how this can be used to radicalize policy conversations and make certain policy preferences toxic. Making policy discussions about racism has the potential to be a radical propaganda tactic. This tactic can be used in a despicable way, but it also undermines democracy, so it's kind of a good thing.

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https://www.wsj.com/articles/atlanta-spa-shootings-amplify-racial-concerns-amid-rising-anti-asian-violence-11616097162?mod=searchresults_pos1&page=1

Twitter

@TheObeyPodcast

@MatthewTKeck

Also, check out "Beyond Talking Points"! Two people with very different political ideologies talk policy and philosophy!

3/12/2021 - In this episode, we talk about the DailyWire's film "Run Hide Fight" and how to think about the culture war between left and right wing movies. I end up coming to the general conclusion that "Run Hide Fight" is the inverse of movies like "Birds of Prey" and Blumhouse's remake of "Black Christmas". This isn't useless, but it's worth noting that apolitical movies that are great often unintentionally about conservative values like the individual, family, relationships, or the value of a life. Examples include "Hereditary" and "Mandy". I also reference "Midsommar" as a good that shows a woman standing up to a man without it being an offputting left wing diatribe. 

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Twitter

@TheObeyPodcast

@MatthewTKeck

Also, check out "Beyond Talking Points"! Two people with very different political ideologies talk policy and philosophy!

3/11/2021 - In this episode, we talk about why China's economic future is potentially shakier than pundits might suggest. It's not uncommon to hear about a "new cold war" between the US and China. It's also not uncommon to hear China's GDP growth numbers touted alongside the looming threat of China "overtaking" the US as an economic superpower.

For that reason, we go over some reasons why we should be skeptical of China's economic regime ranging from a potential housing bubble to internal borders hindering the labor force to government bureaucratic waste to a decreasing birth rate. All of these cast doubt on the prevailing narrative and should at least be considered if you're critically evaluating US/China relations.

Twitter

@TheObeyPodcast

@MatthewTKeck

Also, check out "Beyond Talking Points"! Two people with very different political ideologies talk policy and philosophy!

3/10/2021 - In this episode, we start with Roger Simon's Op-Ed about secession in the Epoch Times. Then, we tie that in with the classic essay about the Trump/Hillary election,  "The Flight 93 Election". All of this polarization only gets worse when we add in the controversy of US elections - which is relevant in the current political debate of HR1. I briefly allude to the Wall Street Journal's editorial on HR1 here. 

Overall, this is an OPTIMISTIC episode. Polarization exposes how silly our system is. That's a big win for freedom.

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https://www.theepochtimes.com/the-case-for-breaking-up-the-united-states_3725569.html

https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/digital/the-flight-93-election/

https://www.wsj.com/articles/making-every-election-like-2020-11614641809?mod=searchresults_pos2&page=1

Twitter

@TheObeyPodcast

@MatthewTKeck

Also, check out "Beyond Talking Points"! Two people with very different political ideologies talk policy and philosophy!

3/5/2021 - In what is likely the first of many, I attempt to synthesize a few articles I stumbled over that play into why democracy isn't a governing system that can work in practice. 

First, we talk about Jay Nordlinger's piece in National Review, "How Populist's Talk". This raises meta points about how aesthetics and optics are inherently integral to democracy - and they keep main stream discourse at a low level.

Then, we discuss some of Saul Alinsky's (in)famous "Rules for Radicals" that are listed here. Many of these tactics intentionally stunt intellectual curiosity. In the means of straddling the levers of power, it's likely that the effective tactics that are deployed will be misleading and dishonest. 

Lastly, we visit one of my favorite Cato polls that discusses support for paid family leave. It's interesting to see the support for the policy shift when people have the question framed in terms of trade offs. This reveals that the opinions of people could drastically change if they were informed on issues - but the two aforementioned articles hint at universal political elements that keep people from being informed. Not to mention that there is no real incentive for being politically informed.

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https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2021/03/08/how-populists-talk/#slide-1

https://www.cato.org/survey-reports/poll-74-americans-support-federal-paid-leave-program-when-costs-not-mentioned-60

https://www.openculture.com/2017/02/13-rules-for-radicals.html

Twitter

@TheObeyPodcast

@MatthewTKeck

Also, check out "Beyond Talking Points"! Two people with very different political ideologies talk policy and philosophy!

3/4/2021 - In this episode, we go through some recent articles that are related to unintended consequences of policy. We start from the controversial premise that the coronavirus regulations in the United States have been overbearing and unjust. Then, we go through articles that show economic consequences of coronavirus regulations and fears that would likely not be present in a free market system. If you don't agree with that premise, this is still an exercise in evaluating second and third order consequences of policies - something that governments fail to do effectively.

First, we look at Greg Ip's piece about how third world countries have been hit hard economically. He breaks down how first world policies have hurt third world economies indirectly and why they might not be able to bounce back as strong as first world economies. 

Then, we look at an article about debit and credit transaction fees during the COVID-19 pandemic. People have used less cash, more business has been online. This affects the fees merchants pay. Unintended consequence of keeping people in their house!

Lastly, we talk about education. An essay by Jon Hilsenrath explains the potential long-term consequences of the current schooling issues in the United States. This could lead to trillions of dollars in reduced future output.

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Twitter

@TheObeyPodcast

@MatthewTKeck

Also, check out "Beyond Talking Points"! Two people with very different political ideologies talk policy and philosophy!