Centered From Reality

The Monkeypox Paradox & Taiwan: Strategic Ambiguity vs. Strategic Clarity

In this episode, Alex brushes on the fact that there have been 215 "mass shootings" in 2022 alone, the US needs policy not thoughts and prayers. Then discusses Monkeypox and the “Monkeypox paradox” as he calls it. Basically, this disease that is not very transmissible, and has a vaccine, grabbed the world’s attention when it hit the West. However, it has been a problem in Africa for decades and there has been no coverage of it. Finally, Alex focuses the majority of the episode on America’s policy towards China and Taiwan. It is called Strategic Ambiguity. He goes over the history of “the One China Policy”, how the U.S. still sends arms and aid to Taiwan, and why it may be time to move from Strategic Ambiguity to Strategic Clarity. Alex argues that since there is no clarity between the United States and China involving Taiwan, the game of chicken is getting more costly and worrying. He thinks the U.S. must define how they would respond to a Chinese invasion of Taiwan and work towards getting input from Taipei as well. 

Effective Altruism & Dark MAGA is Growing

In this episode, Alex discusses Biden’s new agreement to contain China and move away from neoliberalism. He discusses how “mail-in voting” seems to be okay with Republicans if it is from their side. Then he discusses the idea of “effective altruism” and how someone ran on it in a house primary in Oregon. Effective Altruism could useful in American politics and in helping communities around the world, it focuses on “using evidence and reason to figure out how to benefit others as much as possible, and taking action on that basis.” Finally, Alex worries about the symbolic nature of what “Dark MAGA” may entail. Madison Cawthorn used the term when declaring war on the moderate republicans who likely helped in getting him out of the House. Some may laugh it off, but Alex thinks it is symbolic of an edgier and revenge-filled MAGA mentality that has grown since Trump left office. He discusses how Dark MAGA is growing, he cites the rhetoric of Marjorie Taylor Greene, JD Vance, and others, who have used dangerous and weaponized rhetoric against Democrats, mainly calling them scum, evil, and pedophiles. Alex worries this language could lead to true division and irreconcilable differences. 

The Primaries Were... ehhh & Ted Cruz is a Methodical A$$

In this episode, Alex goes over the primaries and how the results have been a mixed bag for the future. He goes over why it is great that Fetterman won the Democratic Primary in Pennsylvania and why it does not matter if Memet Oz or David McCormick wins the Republican Primary because both are frauds. However, Doug Mastriano, a QANON believing, January 6th involved state senator won the Pennsylvania governor primary for the GOP. Then Alex celebrates Madison Cawthorn’s defeat in North Carolina and cries over how Ted Budd, backed by Trump, won North Carolina’s Republican Senate primary. Alex concludes the episode by discussing why Ted Cruz is a brilliant, methodical ass. NPR notes that “The U.S. Supreme Court's conservative majority sided with Republican Sen. Ted Cruz on Monday, ruling that a federal ban on outsiders repaying a candidate's campaign loan to himself after an election violates the constitutional guarantee of free speech.” Ted Cruz saw a whole that exposed the 2002 McCain-Feingold Act and now multimillionaires will have more power in campaign finance. In Justice Kagan’s dissent, she notes that “The only loser is the public, which inevitably suffers from government corruption." 

The Great Replacement Is Mainstreamed, Violence is Up & No One is Winning in Ukraine

In this episode, Alex discusses how the War in Ukraine is slowly becoming a war of attrition. Also, Finland and Sweden are becoming increasingly likely to join NATO and Russia is furious. Then Alex discusses rising gun violence across the United States and the growing fear and uncertainty that is coming with it. He focuses on the Buffalo shooting which was a blatantly racist attack on African Americans. He discusses how the “Great Replacement Theory” has been mainstreamed and the network is growing. An AP poll shows that a third of Americans believe that immigrants are replacing Americans for electoral reasons. This is a troubling number. 

The Disinformation Governance Board Lacks Foresight: Is Biden Trying to Lose?

In this short weekend episode, Alex starts by discussing his thoughts on the Alito leak. He thinks that the finger-pointing over who leaked the document is not productive. He mentions that if you are more worried about the leak than its contents, you need to do a reality check.

Then Alex focuses on the Department of Homeland Security’s Disinformation Governance Board. The DHS Secretary, Alejandro Mayorkas, notes that “…the new board is intended to standardize the department's efforts to respond to disinformation that could be connected with violent threats to the U.S…” Alex finds this to be a stupid idea because disinformation is hard to always identify and is constantly changing. He also believes that bias persists. Nina Jankowicz, who is leading the board, said that Twitter should have censored the Hunter Biden laptop even though it turned out to be authentic. Alex notes that disinformation is a problem, but the administration should have the foresight to know that this could backfire. What if Trump wins again in 2024? Would people be comfortable if leads a disinformation board with election deniers or truthers? Not everyone has the same view of truth or disinformation. 

Grifters Leading the Grifted & Why Moldova Could be Next

In this episode, Alex talks about J.D. Vance and Kevin McCarthy who are two examples of the grifters leading the grifted. He discusses the new leaked recording of McCarthy condemning January 6th and Trump, he also goes over Vance’s past worries about Trumpism. Alex worries that the GOP is constantly willing to throw out values for power and influence.

Later in the episode, Alex goes over Russia’s Victory Day. It is on May 9th and marks the surrender of Nazi Germany and the end of World War II in Europe. Historically, Soviet leaders have made telling speeches at this event that have given Sovietologists some insight into what the Kremlin was planning. Alex discusses how there is speculation that Putin may give a speech that could help officials understand what is next in the war. He worries Putin may need to blame someone to mobilize the Russian people, and it won’t be himself.

Finally in the episode, Alex discusses why Moldova would be next if Putin wanted to escalate the war. The European Council on Foreign Relations notes that “On 22 April, deputy commander of Russia’s Central Military District outlined the aim of the second phase of his country’s war on Ukraine. The goal was not only to take the Donbas region in the country’s east but also to seize control of the southern coast of Ukraine – and to link up with the Moldovan breakaway republic of Transnistria.” Alex discusses how this Transnistria separatist region is similar to parts of Eastern Ukraine and has already seen escalating conflicts and tensions. Under Putin’s stance toward protecting and liberating Russians everywhere, Transnistria would be the same as Eastern Ukraine. Everything depends on whether Putin will accept some false “half” victories or if he wants to create an ethnonationalsit state. 

Roe is on the Brink as SCOTUS Loses Legitimacy & Putin Could Have Cancer

In this episode, Alex discusses the potential that Roe v. Wade may be overturned in its current form. Instead of creating a culture of life, Alex argues this will do the opposite and harm women, especially in vulnerable communities. Then he discusses some new revelations that Vladimir Putin has cancer and will be receiving treatment. In the interim, the man who convinced him that Nazis were in Ukraine will run the country. 

• the SCOTUS has been holding hearings on Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, a 2018 case in which Mississippi passed a law prohibiting abortion after 15 weeks. This was in conflict with Roe v. Wade which had viability at 24 weeks. Yesterday, Politico released a leaked document that appeared to be the preliminary majority decision in this case. Justice Alito stated that “We hold that Roe and Casey must be overruled, It is time to heed the Constitution and return the issue of abortion to the people’s elected representatives.” Alex discusses how this is against true libertarianism and is a rejection of the harm principle. He also discusses how this will make abortions less safe, but it will not end them. 
• There are reports from Kremlin officials that have been obtained that note that Putin has cancer and is going to be getting surgery. The reports note that the cancer is not severe and Putin’s absence will be short. Alex discusses how people should not be excited about this change, Nikolai Patrushev will be the leader in Putin’s absence. He is a “yes-man” to Putin who has peddled lies about denazification in Ukraine. 

The Yin and Yang of Society: What Can Athens and Sparta Tell Us?

In this episode - Netflix issues, no more masks on planes, an ex-Navy officer and journalist is now fighting in Russia, Ukraine is being creative in exposing Russian atrocities, and Alex dives into what Ancient Athens and Sparta may tell us about the “yin and yang” of democracy and why balance is crucial. 

• Before going into a deep dive into a theory he is working on, Alex discusses the new show he likes on Disney+, how Netflix is struggling and what this may tell us about the future of streaming, and why he thinks streaming has lost its allure. He discusses that the oversaturation of choice/options may be to blame. Also, people may not be able to share their passwords anymore. 

 

• Alex discusses how overnight, the federal mask mandate for transportation was lifted. Apparently, the Florida judge found that the CDC did not “justify its decision and did not follow proper rulemaking procedures that left it fatally flawed.” Alex thinks that the Biden administration will not challenge this issue because it has been looking for an offramp for this mandate for a while.

 

• Malcolm Nance, a former United States Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer, and MSNBC contributor are in Ukraine, serving with the International Legion of Territorial Defense. He has been quoted as discussing how he is tired of talking and wants to help. Of course, he has received criticism, but Alex is impressed.

 

• Alex looks at what Ancient Sparta and Ancient Athens can tell us about the balances in society and how cultures can go in different ways. He thinks that in a sense, Sparta and Athens are different sides of the same coin. One was focused on order and militaristic control, the other on openness and progressive (for its time) change. After a chaotic century of revolts and war, Sparta became regimented and based on loyalty to the military and state. Athens, on the other hand, seemed to be focused on civil society and the future of democratic discourse. Alex looks into how these two views, may explain how a balance is needed between freedom and control — order versus chaos. He applies to how populism or fascism can occur when an extreme comes out of the balance. 

Draconian Measures in Shanghai, Ghost Guns & Ukraine’s Next Phase

In this episode, Alex talks about the draconian measures taking place in Shanghai’s massive lockdown. Then he talks about the tragic shooting in NYC’s subway and how shootings are on the rise everywhere. Then he goes into why the Justice Department is trying to regulate “ghost guns.” Finally, Alex talks about the next stage of the War in Ukraine. The Russians have appointed a new general to lead the war effort, he is known as the “Butcher of Aleppo” and is trained in urban warfare. 

Movie Night at Mar-a-Lago, Congrats to Judge Jackson & MTG is SCARY!

In this episode, Alex starts with worries about the French elections on Sunday and how Emmanuel Macron could lose. His chance of winning has been decreasing almost every day and Alex worries that if Marine Le Pen were to win, it could destabilize the EU. He then goes into how illiberal democracies are becoming more prominent. Then Alex gives some updates from a few days at Mar-a-Lago. The former President held an event where he premiered a movie about how Mark Zuckerberg stole the election for the Democrats. Trump also did an interview with The Washington Post where he discussed how his biggest regret on January 6th was “not marching to the capitol with his supporters.” He also said that “he deserved more credit for drawing such a large crowd to the Ellipse.” Alex discusses how it almost seems like Trump wants to get prosecuted. Later, Alex plays a video where Marjorie Taylor Greene compares all Democrats to pedophiles. He worries this rhetoric is dangerous and will lead to more violence and hate towards minority communities. He also discusses how these extreme views are moving closer to the mean inside of the party. To end, Alex discusses how happy he is that Ketanji Brown Jackson was confirmed to the SCOTUS. He is disturbed by the Republican attacks on her but is glad she can represent a lot of Americans on the court.