Fisted by Foucault $5 / month

Fisted by Foucault explores global political, economic, and cultural dynamics through commentary and analysis. It examines geopolitical tensions, historical conflicts, societal changes, and the influence of personalities in shaping public discourse. Recurrent themes include the scrutiny of power structures, the impact of policies on nations' fates, and reflections on ideological movements.

Geopolitical Analysis Economic Trends Cultural Shifts Historical Conflicts Ideological Movements Influence of Personalities in Politics Societal Changes

The hottest Substack posts of Fisted by Foucault

And their main takeaways

Ukraine: The Self-Awareness of the Sacrificial Lamb (Part 2 of 2)

174 implied HN points • 08 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Geopolitics Conflict Foreign Aid Negotiations
  1. The conflict in Ukraine is escalating with the fall of the city Avdiivka to Russian forces, showing the severe impacts on domestic politics and international support.
  2. The US Senate's failure to agree on sending more money to Ukraine is seen as a significant setback for their battlefield capabilities and a source of growing despair among officials.
  3. Western media's shift towards accepting that Ukraine may not achieve maximalist goals in the war signifies a changing narrative on the feasibility of certain outcomes and the need for peace negotiations.

Update to "Jews don't Count......Or Do They?"

223 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics DEI Speech Academia Anti-Semitism
  1. The fight between US universities and its donor class over free speech on campus is intensifying.
  2. The battle includes issues of ideological capture, free speech limitations, and the role of the donor class in academia.
  3. The conflict also reveals concerns about DEI (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion) and the potential impact on different groups within universities.

A Second Note on the Spanish Civil War Series

145 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
💾 History Anarchism
  1. The series will explore the events leading up to the Spanish Civil War, covering phases like pre-Civil War, the failed military coup, and the civil war itself.
  2. The author will delve into various aspects such as the different sides of the conflict, key groups, violent early months, and international involvement.
  3. Readers can expect a detailed and extensive series that will take time to unfold, providing a thorough understanding of this historical episode.

Joe Piscopo, Frank Sinatra, Phil Hartman, and Nick Land

136 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Comedy TV shows Music Literature Philosophy
  1. Joe Piscopo was a significant figure in the early 80s SNL era but faced challenges with changing cast and producers.
  2. Phil Hartman's portrayal of Frank Sinatra on SNL was iconic, portraying him in a comedic light and causing controversy.
  3. Humorous exchanges and misinterpretations from the SNL sketch 'The Sinatra Group' have left a lasting impact on viewers, showcasing the power of memory and humor.
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Open Thread #27

133 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🎭️ Culture Photography Discussion Personal updates
  1. The author shares about their activities like enjoying the day outside, starting work for the weekend, and plans for upcoming essays about the War in Ukraine and the Spanish Civil War.
  2. Readers are invited to use the thread to discuss various topics, ask questions, give recommendations, or share criticisms, while also being presented with random photographs taken by the author.
  3. The post includes multiple links to view photographs and engage in the discussion thread at the end of the post.

Three Different Articles on the War Between Israel and Hamas

104 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Middle East International relations Conflict Diplomacy Geopolitics
  1. The article discusses South Africa's personal connection to defending Palestine and its efforts at the International Court of Justice, seeking to address the Israel-Palestine conflict.
  2. Germany's commitment to Israel's security as a 'reason of state' is explored, reflecting on the historical context and political decisions made by Angela Merkel.
  3. Former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's take on the Gaza conflict and his perspective on the root cause behind the terrorist attacks in Israel.

The Taormina Interviews: Lee Fang - ChiCom Sleeper Agent

229 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Corruption Media Government Politics Identity politics
  1. Lee Fang discusses his journey from being a college political enthusiast to a journalist speaking out against various forms of misinformation and disinformation.
  2. Growing up in a diverse household helped Lee Fang realize the flaws in identity categories and the folly of reducing complexities to race.
  3. Lee Fang reflects on the corruption in government, media, and corporations, highlighting the manipulation of social justice rhetoric for self-serving interests.

Open Thread #28

82 implied HN points • 15 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Essays Art
  1. The author is experiencing difficulty concentrating due to a pinched nerve in their left hip, causing delays in posting new content. They ask for patience from their readers as they deal with this issue.
  2. The post provides a list of recommended readings on various topics, including essays, chilling transcripts, and discussions on art, inviting readers to explore these materials during the wait for new content.
  3. The author mentions doing stretching exercises to cope with the pinched nerve issue, highlighting the importance of self-care and physical therapy for such health concerns.

Saturday Commentary and Review #124

220 implied HN points • 13 May 23
🌍 World Politics Foreign Relations Government Law Conflict International Organizations
  1. The UK is facing severe economic decline and social issues due to centralization in London
  2. Francis Fukuyama's views on liberalism have evolved over the years, impacting his stance on technology and politics
  3. Proposed restrictive hate speech legislation in Ireland and transparency concerns with NGOs operating in Europe are raising questions about freedom of speech and funding sources

The Spanish Civil Part 2: El Bienio Negro - Conservative Reaction & Leftist Rebellion (1933-36)

86 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Civil War Government Revolution
  1. The establishment of the Second Republic in Spain led to extreme political polarization, with various factions like conservatives, socialists, and anarchists all vying for power and projecting their own agendas.
  2. The elections in 1933 showed a shift in power, with the Radical Republicans and CEDA gaining traction, leading to challenges and rebellion from groups feeling marginalized or threatened by the new order.
  3. The political landscape in Spain during this period was marred by violence, corruption, and accusations of fascism, culminating in the failed 'October Revolution' against the new government, showcasing how fragile the democracy was at that time.

Regime Change and Colour Revolutions Part 1: Mrs. Humanitarian Intervention in Budapest

250 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Regime Change Democracy Civil Society
  1. The series delves into regime change and color revolutions, emphasizing the importance of understanding the subject thoroughly.
  2. Samantha Power's visit to Budapest focused on initiatives like supporting independent media, addressing corruption, and promoting civic engagement.
  3. Samantha Power is portrayed as a powerful advocate of humanitarian intervention, believing in spreading liberalism globally, even through force.

Gli Umarelli di Spalato

232 implied HN points • 19 Mar 23
🎭️ Culture Photography History Society Construction Aging
  1. Sometimes men enjoy watching construction sites and offering advice - known as Umarells.
  2. The term Umarell has evolved from a general older person to specifically older men at construction sites.
  3. In Italy, Umarells are respected and even celebrated for their presence at construction sites.

Chapters 4 and 5: "Open Fire on the Enemy" & Triumphant Failure

44 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
💾 History Prohibition
  1. The Temperance Movement faced challenges due to the significant revenue the US government derived from taxes on alcohol, making it a tough battle to ban alcohol sales.
  2. A coalition of various groups, including racists, progressives, suffragists, populists, and nativists, contributed to the popularization of the Temperance Movement.
  3. The push for a National Income Tax by progressives and prohibitionists played a vital role in advancing the cause for Prohibition, culminating in a significant petition presented to Congress.