The Iran War whiplash is a pump and dump scheme. The men running it are broken and insatiable. And the way out runs through the art of persuasion. James Matthewson and I dove into it all.
Mr. Baba, I think your essays are awesome. You are exactly right in everything you say: the regime is profoundly ugly and corrupt, the oligarchs are also profoundly ugly and corrupt, and as you said, insatiable. The poor Gen Z (?) men are being shown the most wrong role models. Andrew Tate is a rapist for God’s sake. And the online rape culture, WTF? You are the man these kids should emulate. You are an excellent man and good to the core. Thank you for your essays. I can’t subscribe with money because I have a very small social security check from 25 years of low paid hospital work. Otherwise, I would. Thank you for holding a space for yourself.
Thank you so much for the kind words Elizabeth! It truly means a lot. I’m trying my best to set a good example, and I’m so glad you can see that. I really appreciate your and no worries! Messages like this are more than enough - makes the work all worth it
Great discussion Ahmed and James, glad it digressed into “manly morality!”
Developing a general life mission for oneself, "beginning with the end in mind," is a good way to give oneself direction to live one’s best life, male or female.
For me it is to ease suffering and to serve others (humans and animals; believe Abdul For Senate said similar about why he became a physician and why he is running for Senate in Michigan—to help people in pain).
“Easing suffering” can go in myriad directions depending on one’s particular talents. For me it has driven political volunteering for the past 26 years. As the democratic leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, has said “Politics is the way we live.”
Good men can serve others and relieve suffering without losing a trace of masculinity. Like James said you don’t have to be a dick to be an entrepreneur.
Would add that politics deeply influences the way THE MOST VULNERABLE live—and either thrive or suffer. I volunteer in politics for the most vulnerable—which is why I am not a Republican.
A lot of Americans question involvement in politics—like it’s a hobby—and a losing battle. This makes me wonder about the educational system in the USA and why it is not emphasizing civic obligations for a civilized, democratic country—for both sexes and all genders!!! And connecting the dots between the political and the personal.
The USA also needs voting holidays and requirements to vote.
Great job discussing historically that psychopaths have caused most global suffering in human history. Most of the population wants to live and let live. About 10 percent want power and control; they dominate the rest of us who just want to live peacefully and democratically.
Democracy is not a spectator sport and it is never done, like exercise, as much as we’d like to have the need for defending democracy and going to the gym cease. This means we pace ourselves and have those hip-hop and “Lord of the Rings” discussions regardless.
Right now we’re in a dark place, but we’ll prevail. Politics will once again become boring and we can relax—but never return to complacency and cynicism.
Yes. 💯 Be a good human being first. The goals and dreams spring from the humanity you develop. They’re richer and FAR more fulfilling than chasing riches for their own sake. As you adeptly describe, the most powerful person in the US is one who cannot be fulfilled. He is a bottomless abyss of desire for wealth and power which can never be satisfied. The same is true for the broligarchs.
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s THE LAKES runs through my mind on endless loop. I love that for me. And I will 💯 be there for your nerd fest Across the Pond. Inshallah, to borrow Wajahat Ali’s fav saying.
I am right now writing about Etienne de la Boetie, who wrote in the 16th century that we do not need violence to overthrow a tyrant. We simply need to stop giving him our consent. Without it, he topples (gender terms intended here). Let's remember what he knew and that, as he said, life without our rights is unbearable.
Hey! No wonder I like your work so much: You value STNG! It was excellent. The insights, for me, into war in DS9 made it particularly worthy, and the two shows are unparalleled, with their underlying ethic difficult to find nowadays in many shows. Please correct me if I am mistaken in that!
I'm so sorry to see that Al Green lost his seat! He has articles of impeachment ready and waiting. I hope he left them with someone like Jamie Raskin! We need a HUGE blue wave and get him and his whole regime OUT for good this time. He belongs in jail, NOT our White House!
Speaking of the message - I so hope that either Ken Martin steps down or gets expelled because he's NOT it. I wanted Ben Wikler, I hope the Dems can make that change happen. We need to point out tRUMP's corruption and then like Mamdani did talk with people and of course affordability is #1. Then health care, etc. etc. etc.
The trust and respect you have for one another move this show in unpredictable directions. How refreshing!❤️
Thanks John! Always appreciate you tuning in. It means a lot you enjoy and support our work
Mr. Baba, I think your essays are awesome. You are exactly right in everything you say: the regime is profoundly ugly and corrupt, the oligarchs are also profoundly ugly and corrupt, and as you said, insatiable. The poor Gen Z (?) men are being shown the most wrong role models. Andrew Tate is a rapist for God’s sake. And the online rape culture, WTF? You are the man these kids should emulate. You are an excellent man and good to the core. Thank you for your essays. I can’t subscribe with money because I have a very small social security check from 25 years of low paid hospital work. Otherwise, I would. Thank you for holding a space for yourself.
Thank you so much for the kind words Elizabeth! It truly means a lot. I’m trying my best to set a good example, and I’m so glad you can see that. I really appreciate your and no worries! Messages like this are more than enough - makes the work all worth it
LOL you guys are a hoot! Love you both❤️
“Weapon of mass consumption!” Brilliant! Also, could we have Starmer and the UK have Trump? (OK, no, I don’t want to do that to the UK.)
5/28 Thursday
Great discussion Ahmed and James, glad it digressed into “manly morality!”
Developing a general life mission for oneself, "beginning with the end in mind," is a good way to give oneself direction to live one’s best life, male or female.
For me it is to ease suffering and to serve others (humans and animals; believe Abdul For Senate said similar about why he became a physician and why he is running for Senate in Michigan—to help people in pain).
“Easing suffering” can go in myriad directions depending on one’s particular talents. For me it has driven political volunteering for the past 26 years. As the democratic leader of Myanmar, Aung San Suu Kyi, has said “Politics is the way we live.”
Good men can serve others and relieve suffering without losing a trace of masculinity. Like James said you don’t have to be a dick to be an entrepreneur.
Would add that politics deeply influences the way THE MOST VULNERABLE live—and either thrive or suffer. I volunteer in politics for the most vulnerable—which is why I am not a Republican.
A lot of Americans question involvement in politics—like it’s a hobby—and a losing battle. This makes me wonder about the educational system in the USA and why it is not emphasizing civic obligations for a civilized, democratic country—for both sexes and all genders!!! And connecting the dots between the political and the personal.
The USA also needs voting holidays and requirements to vote.
Great job discussing historically that psychopaths have caused most global suffering in human history. Most of the population wants to live and let live. About 10 percent want power and control; they dominate the rest of us who just want to live peacefully and democratically.
Democracy is not a spectator sport and it is never done, like exercise, as much as we’d like to have the need for defending democracy and going to the gym cease. This means we pace ourselves and have those hip-hop and “Lord of the Rings” discussions regardless.
Right now we’re in a dark place, but we’ll prevail. Politics will once again become boring and we can relax—but never return to complacency and cynicism.
Cheers!
Yes. 💯 Be a good human being first. The goals and dreams spring from the humanity you develop. They’re richer and FAR more fulfilling than chasing riches for their own sake. As you adeptly describe, the most powerful person in the US is one who cannot be fulfilled. He is a bottomless abyss of desire for wealth and power which can never be satisfied. The same is true for the broligarchs.
Meanwhile, Taylor Swift’s THE LAKES runs through my mind on endless loop. I love that for me. And I will 💯 be there for your nerd fest Across the Pond. Inshallah, to borrow Wajahat Ali’s fav saying.
Samwise Gamgee is quintessentially the best man.
Minute 50 absolutely right, James!
Good points about young men, Ahmed, I worry about them if their ONLY role model is tRUMP! It's scary what his influence might produce.
I am right now writing about Etienne de la Boetie, who wrote in the 16th century that we do not need violence to overthrow a tyrant. We simply need to stop giving him our consent. Without it, he topples (gender terms intended here). Let's remember what he knew and that, as he said, life without our rights is unbearable.
Hey! No wonder I like your work so much: You value STNG! It was excellent. The insights, for me, into war in DS9 made it particularly worthy, and the two shows are unparalleled, with their underlying ethic difficult to find nowadays in many shows. Please correct me if I am mistaken in that!
I'm so sorry to see that Al Green lost his seat! He has articles of impeachment ready and waiting. I hope he left them with someone like Jamie Raskin! We need a HUGE blue wave and get him and his whole regime OUT for good this time. He belongs in jail, NOT our White House!
Speaking of the message - I so hope that either Ken Martin steps down or gets expelled because he's NOT it. I wanted Ben Wikler, I hope the Dems can make that change happen. We need to point out tRUMP's corruption and then like Mamdani did talk with people and of course affordability is #1. Then health care, etc. etc. etc.
Sorry you guys, but the USA are running by tyrants as well, never forget that!
Yeah, we’re talking about Trump. he’s one of the petty tyrants