Author: esstrainor

Two Squares on “Sokal Squared” – Episode 49

by esstrainor, posted in Podcast

This week, Impolitic‘s resident squares weight in on the academic controversy of the hour: the so-called “Sokol Squared” hoax. In addition, Paul and Sean float some campaign ideas for hypothetical Congressional bids; discuss the latest in a long line of New Jersey political scandals; and announce the second installment in the Impolitic reading series: chapters 1 and 2 of Marx and Engels’s The Communist Manifesto (1848).

As always, we’d love to hear from listeners with questions and comments on the reading. If you’d like us to discuss your comment on air, please submit it via email, Twitter, or Facebook by Friday, Oct. 26. Added bonus: if you send a voice memo, we’ll broadcast your recording on air!

Segment 1: Paul and Sean’s Campaign Platforms – 0:00:00 to 0:48:26
Segment 2: Bob Menendez is a Crook – 0:48:26 to 0:55:28
Segment 3: “Sokol Squared” – 0:55:28 to 1:52:18

Musical Credits: Billy Bragg, “The Internationale”;  Bruce Springsteen, “Rosalita (Come Out Tonight)”; Peter Tosh, “You Can’t Fool Me Again”; Sam Cooke, “(What A) Wonderful World.”

I(ntoxicated) Pencil – Episode 48

by esstrainor, posted in Podcast

In our first installment of the Impolitic reading series, Paul and Sean tackle Leonard Read’s libertarian classic, “I, Pencil” (1958). Then the boys get mad as hell about Brett Kavanaugh before closing out with a strained historical comparison of post-Cold War America and Second Empire France.

Segment 1: “I, Pencil” – 0:00:00 to 1:04:30
Segment 2: Brett Kavanaugh – 1:04:30 to 1:37:40
Segment 3: Second Empire France – 1:37:40 to 1:46:00

Musical Credits: Jimmy Buffet, “Pencil Thin Mustache”; Insane Clown Posse, “Miracles”; Regina Spektor, “Poor Little Rich Boy”; Jacky Terrasson, “La Marseillaise.”

Ain’t No Sunshine When We’re Gone – Episode 48 is DELAYED!

by esstrainor, posted in Podcast

Paul is navigating a death in the family and Sean is swimming in a choppy sea of ungraded student papers. So the first installment of the Impolitic reading series will have to wait another week. But, in the meantime, keep the questions and comments coming on Leonard Reed’s “I, Pencil”! If you want to participate in the discussion, send us a question or comment via Twitter (@ImpoliticPod), Facebook (ImpoliticPod), or email (impolitic [dot] pod [at] gmail [dot] com). Added bonus: if you send a voice memo, we’ll broadcast your memo on air!

The Future Is … Covered in Urine – Episode 47

by esstrainor, posted in Podcast

Paul shares updates on the latest in tech: from stuff you piss on to wearable vibrators and marijuana vending machines. Then Sean gets grumpy about Malcolm Gladwell’s latest rendezvous with infamy. And the gang bids a mixed adieu to Senator John McCain.

[Link to next week’s reading.]

Nevertheless, She Nationalized the Economy … – Episode 46

by esstrainor, posted in Podcast

We’re back! After the late-summer hiatus, Paul and Sean return with updates on the show’s format, critiques of Elizabeth Warren’s plan to either nationalize the economy or save capitalism, and some thoughts on the ongoing “Crisis of the Humanities.”

Impolitic Phones It In – Episode 43

by esstrainor, posted in Podcast

No, really. Paul and Sean reach a new low, embrace their laziest selves, and spend the first half of the episode bantering about a bunch of rubbish they found on Twitter: from Dinesh D’Souza’s desperate attempt to prove that Dems are the real racists to the rising cost of childcare. In the episode’s second half, however, they finally get around to resuming their long-neglected Unpopular Opinions™ on libertarianism and socialism.

… But We Can All Agree: Anthony Kennedy Was A Dumbass – Episode 42, Part II

by esstrainor, posted in Podcast

In the second half of Impolitic’s inaugural two-parter, Sean and Paul discuss all-things-SCOTUS: from the Court’s dubious ruling on Trump’s travel ban to Anthony Kennedy, Janus, and court-packing.