We're Not Wrong

The gang looks at the latest scandal out of Graham Platner's Maine senatorial campaign and wonder whether it's enough to sink the ship, or yet another hurdle on the way to Democrats winning back the Senate in November. Then the dig into the ongoing feud between outdoor clothing retailer Patagonia and drag performer Pattie Gonia over trademark infringement, asking who, at the end of the day, is in the right.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:20:36 - Graham Platner00:45:41 - Patagonia vs. Pattie Gonia01:05:09 - Emails01:36:27 - Wrap-up

The gang digs into the quiet retirement of RCP 8.5, the most extreme climate scenario suggested by scientists, after making some genuine progress towards slowing global warming. What does this say about our relationship with science media? Then they turn to recent reports over Tom Steyer's campaign allegedly paying off influencers and creators for promotion and positive press and ask whether we should have stricter guidelines over these sorts of ads.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:23:09 - Climate Change00:46:55 - Paid Social Media Influencers01:06:51 - Emails02:04:40 - Wrap-up

With pro-AI commencement speeches repeatedly getting booed and ongoing hostility over data center expansions, the gang digs into what's causing this growing AI hate wave. They also discuss who owns the "Bernie Sanders heir apparent" lane, as both AOC and Ro Khanna begin staffing up with former Bernie staffers ahead of potential runs in 2028.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:13:59 - AI Hate Wave01:08:13 - Heir to Bernie01:28:59 - Emails01:47:58 - Wrap-up

With hantavirus the talk of the town, the gang examines whether it's actually at risk of becoming a new COVID-like pandemic — spoiler: it's not — as well as the hype cycle around this sort of terrifying news that drives clicks. They also dive into the latest developments in Trump's quest for a White House ballroom, as $1 billion Secret Service funding requests begin to raise eyebrows.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:16:08 - New Pandemic?!00:42:27 - Billion Dollar Ballroom01:05:32 - Emails01:27:29 - Wrap-up

Hot off a controversial appearance in the New York Times opinion page, the gang discusses the concept of "microlooting." Spurred on by comments made by podcasters Nadja Spiegelman and Jia Tolentino, as well as political streamer Hasan Piker, the crew wonders whether there's any case in which "microlooting" can be justified, or if it's actually just hurting leftist causes. Then they turn to the SPLC's recent indictment over accusations that paying informants within targeted hate groups actually counts as funding these hate groups — and, in doing so, constitutes fraud. Compelling case, or obvious reach?Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:23:53 - Microlooting00:48:27 - SPLC Indicted01:07:32 - Emails01:12:09 - Wrap-up

The gang discusses the newly-developed "Monitoring the Situation" livestream, an X-hosted 24/7 live feed designed to serve as an alternative to traditional media. Backed by Andreesen Horowitz, is "Monitoring the Situation" something you need in your life, or just another way to stay glued to your phone. They then discuss the new Michael Jackson biopic, which was forced to undergo a full rework in post-production to avoid discussing the pop star's sexual allegations, and ask whether a movie about MJ should be forced to reckon with that chapter in his life.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro and Gerrymandering00:34:16 - "Monitoring the Situation"00:59:51 - Michael Jackson01:12:21 - Emails01:29:18 - Wrap-up

The gang reacts to the rapid fall of Eric Swalwell, who went from sitting Congressman and the Democratic (and, therefore, overall leading) frontrunner for governor of California to resigning over multiple sexual misconduct allegations. They then turn their attention to Viktor Orbán, who leaves power after 16 years following his recent loss in Hungary's election.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:17:39 - Eric Swalwell00:48:39 - Viktor Orbán01:16:29 - Emails01:31:20 - Wrap-up

The gang discusses Afroman's elevated status following his recent win in a high-profile defamation lawsuit involving Adams County police officers. Is the rapper actually a First Amendment hero, or is there more to this case than you might think? They then turn their attention to another rapper — Kayne West — who recently found himself banned from entering the UK to perform at a local festival, resulting in that festival being canceled. Did the UK overstep, or is this merely the consequences of years of Ye's antisemitic behavior?Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:11:50 - Afroman00:42:51 - Kanye West01:07:13 - Emails01:27:09 - Wrap-up