Van Badham is a playwright, author and activist, and she's returned to the show to discuss her latest book, QAnon: A Short and Shocking History of Internet Conspiracy Cults.
Here Van lays out precisely what the QAnon conspiracy theory actually is, how it came into existence and how much it has shaped - and continues to shape - politics in the US and here in Australia. We discuss the most bonkers beliefs involved in all this and what the theory's success tells us about the internet and the failures of the modern Left, and we disagree about what happened to JFK.
Merry Xmas everyone! See you in 2022, when everything will be fixed forever xx
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Van's book QAnon and On: A Short and Shocking History of Internet Conspiracy Cults
Van's podcast is The Week on Wednesday
Cause of the Week: Asylum Seeker Resource Centre (asrc.org.au)
James Button is a freelance journalist, ALP member and former speechwriter for the former prime minister Kevin Rudd. He recently wrote a three-part, in-depth series for Nine/Fairfax on "cancel culture": what it is, why it exists and what it means for the Australian Left.
In this conversation James and I go deep into his argument and the three pieces and try to clarify how this social phenomenon manifests itself when it comes to issues of race, gender, art and politics. On some fronts we agree, on others I try to push back and challenge some of the common arguments that are wheeled out on this stuff.
It's long, but (I hope) really worthwhile. TL:DR - class politics is GOOD and we need MORE OF IT PLEASE.
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@JamesButton49 (though he rarely tweets!)
Read James' three-part series on cancel culture:
ARTICLE: The Failure of Occupy is Almost Complete by Freddie deBoer
ARTICLE: Woke politics and power by Waleed Aly
Cause(s) of the Week: Savannah Pride (savannahpride.com.au); Marrin Weejali Aboriginal Corporation (marrinweejali.org.au)
Nyadol Nyuon is a former refugee, lawyer and passionate advocate for human rights and anti-racism.
This is her keynote address at the 2021 Refugee Legal "Not The Annual Dinner" (held via Zoom), which I MC'ed, followed by a Q&A session with Nyadol and Refugee Legal Executive Director David Manne.
It's a passionate address about why human rights are important to her (and why they should be important to you), the realities of race in this country and the ongoing legacy of the War on Terror on our society and politics.
Join the LIASYO Facebook group here please and thank you
If you’ve got the means please support this show by becoming a Patron
I’m recording a stand up special at Chapel Off Chapel THIS WEEK! Two shows only
Nyadol's address at the National Press Club, "Australia Reimagined"
Cause of the Week: Please support Refugee Legal's work (refugeelegal.org.au)