Lean Out with Tara Henley

Lean Out with Tara Henley examines the socio-political landscape in Canada, focusing on issues like the housing crisis, ideological shifts, challenges to freedom of speech, and the impact of government policies on society. It features critiques of current affairs, cultural institutions, and media narratives through the lens of heterodox thinkers.

Canadian Socio-Political Issues Freedom of Speech Government Policy and Legislation Cultural and Ideological Shifts Media and Press Freedom Academic and Cultural Institutions Immigration and Economic Impacts Education and Pandemic Responses

The hottest Substack posts of Lean Out with Tara Henley

And their main takeaways

Weekend reads: Stephen Marche on the crisis in Canadian cultural institutions

1906 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🎭️ Culture Politics Ideology Activism Literature Media
  1. Stephen Marche's essay examines the politicization of Canadian cultural institutions dominated by radical leftist activists.
  2. The rise of extremist activism in Canada is leading to a decline in progressive activism's influence and support.
  3. Younger generations are turning away from progressivism towards more radical or right-wing ideologies, causing a shift in political landscapes.

Weekend reads: Oh, Canada

2044 implied HN points • 28 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Canada Civil Liberties Literature
  1. Canada is facing significant and alarming issues, such as illegal government actions and controversial policies.
  2. Recent events in Canada include controversies around medically assisted deaths, the opioid crisis, and pandemic policy.
  3. The country is also experiencing upheavals in its literary and cultural institutions, with debates and conflicts affecting these domains.

Weekend reads: Are diversity statements political litmus tests?

864 implied HN points • 21 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Diversity University Discrimination Inclusion Education
  1. Diversity statements in academia could be seen as political litmus tests that impact hiring practices.
  2. The assumptions behind diversity statements, such as addressing historical discrimination, should be open to debate.
  3. The discussion on Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in academia should involve constructive dialogue and understanding of both sides' perspectives.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Weekend reads: Is Canada broken?

530 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🌍 World Politics Canada Media Immigration Polarization Inequality
  1. The podcast discussion explores the idea of Canada facing multiple crises - from economic issues like the housing crisis and the opioid crisis to political challenges such as debacles in government policies and ethics scandals.
  2. The conversation delves into the impact of economic instability and economic precarity, especially driven by the housing crisis, on society and individuals in Canada, leading to a sense of decline and frustration among the populace.
  3. The dialogue sheds light on the role of the media in contributing to societal polarization and destabilization by discussing the influence of ideological trends like 'identitarian moralism' and the lack of diverse opinions in the media landscape.

Transcript: Ryan Alford

589 implied HN points • 01 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Legal Government Media
  1. Canada's Federal Court ruled that the government's invocation of the Emergencies Act during the trucker protests was illegal and unreasonable.
  2. The government's rationale for invoking the Emergencies Act was questioned, as it was found to exceed the government's statutory authority and violate the constitution.
  3. Media's role in amplifying misinformation and uncritically accepting the government's narrative during the protests was criticized by the court and civil liberties advocates.

Transcript: John B. Judis and Ruy Teixeira

491 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Political Realignment Working Class Democratic Party
  1. In the 2016 US election, Trump won over working-class voters with his focus on economic issues like job loss and trade, not just racism and immigration.
  2. There's a significant political divide in America between metro areas and rural/mid-size towns, with working-class voters shifting towards the Republican party.
  3. The Democratic party's shift towards neoliberal economics and cultural radicalism has alienated the working class, particularly as the influence of the labor movement declined.

Transcript: Alec MacGillis

294 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
📰 News Investigative Journalism Education Pandemic impact
  1. Schools were closed in Ontario for 135 days during the pandemic, leading to high rates of chronic absenteeism.
  2. Chronic absenteeism rates have nearly doubled nationwide, with some cities experiencing rates over 40%.
  3. The erosion of the norm of going to school during the pandemic has made attendance somewhat optional for many families, posing a significant challenge in rebuilding this social norm.

Transcript: Tony Keller

235 implied HN points • 25 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Immigration Policy Economy Government Labor
  1. In Canada, there has been a shift in the bipartisan, pro-immigration consensus, largely influenced by recent policy changes.
  2. The rapid population growth due to high immigration levels is putting pressure on infrastructure, housing, and business productivity in Canada.
  3. Addressing the skilled labor imbalance in immigration by recruiting high-skilled workers can help mitigate negative impacts on low-wage workers and the economy.