Future Hindsight

We discuss the complexity of gun violence in the United States and the reality that strong gun laws save lives. 

Emma's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1. Contact your senator to vote NO on concealed carry reciprocity

2. Go to giffords.org and get involved

We discuss how we can tell the truth, how we can speak the truth, and how we can avoid misinformation and disinformation.

Pauline's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1. Maintain a degree of curiosity!

2. Care before you share.

Pauline Hoffman, also k...

We discuss how AI can both serve the public interest and advance the goals of our democracy, despite the misgivings about the current state of AI.

Bruce's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1) Use the tools of AI!

2) Use assistive tech to write to your elected representatives

Bruce Schneier is an internationally renowned security technologist, chief...

We discuss Practical Radicals: Seven Strategies to Change the World—a guide for a new generation of activists seeking not just to understand power, but to build it.

Stephanie's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1) Learn a new skill, like non cooperation or mutual aid

2) Find organizations that align with your values and check if t...

A fair, humane, and orderly immigration system should think of the US as the top destination for top talent from around the world, as well as a beacon of hope. Changing the law to give permanent legal status and a pathway to citizenship would fix the current failed immigration system.

Todd's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1. Pos...

We discuss how the everyday voter can make strategic political campaign donations just like a billionaire.

Brian's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1) Find an election you've never participated in before and get involved

2) Check out the Supreme Court races in Pennsylvania, governor's races in NJ and VA, and the California redist...

We discuss the unavoidable intersection between our capitalist economy and democratic governance, and how their relationship plays out through campaign finance and other political transactions.

Hilary's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1. Get the data of your state, locality, and elected officials at opensecrets.org

We discuss how the struggle for transparency is really a struggle for the soul of American democracy. 

Miranda's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1. Look up the agendas of your local school board and city council, and attend the public meetings

2. Learn how your local an...

We discuss the basics of organizing and the fruits of that work. Michael reminds us that "organizers organize organizations."

Michael's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1) Gather 4-5 friends to talk about what's happening

2) Share ideas on what you can do to resist 

Michael Ansara is a seasoned community organizer ...

We discuss the enduring power of protesting and the significance of the Ferguson uprising in the long arc of the Black liberation movement. 

Jonathan's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1) Speak with a young person in your life about what they're wrestling with

2) Emphasize community engagement

Jonathan Pulphus is a...

We discuss the importance of shifting our mindset to one that is infused with hope. Positive change comes when we choose hope. Though nobody can fix it all, we can all do something and make an impact. Sharon reminds us that if something is worth doing for everyone, it's worth doing for one person. 

Sharon's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1) Choose hope.

We discuss the role of collective memory in the myth-making of American exceptionalism. 

Hajar's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1) Advocate

2) Relate

3) Create

Hajar Yazdiha is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the USC Dornsife College of Letters, Arts, and Sciences and the a...

We discuss how ungoverning is the equivalent of a bull in a china shop. We have already seen the destruction of many institutions and many functions of the administrative state, but we don't yet know how much there is still to come.

Nancy's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1) Don't let unpredictability strip you of your agency

2)...

We discuss the long history of vigilante democracy in the US and its return in our current politics. The playing field is currently tilted in favor of these vigilante policies, but blue states can level the playing field by playing constitutional hardball. David reminds us that the American people have beat back movements to use vigilante power to enforce a reactionary agenda time and again.

David's civi...

We discuss how out of date immigration laws are and why the only cure is comprehensive immigration reform from Congress. In the face of rising arrests and deportations by ICE, this is the perfect episode to remind us that we still need immigration reform.

Aaron's civic action toolkit recommendations are: 

1) Be welcoming and model inclusion in your communities

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