If you really thought politics couldn’t get any crazier, you haven’t been paying attention. While debates about QAnon congresswomen rage, other Republican reps are downplaying the absurdity and using the Pledge of Allegiance as a political stunt that’s even dumber than it sounds. We’ve also got some superb artist and author interviews this week, as well as the explanation you need about why GameStop isn’t the revolution. If only. All that, Super Bowl prop bets, and a special anniversary episode await you this week on BTRtoday.
Podcasts
On Art Uncovered, Kimberly speaks with Adam Chau, a ceramic designer who investigates the hybridization of handcraft and digital technology. Throughout the conversation they speak about the techniques Adam uses to insert hand-crafted elements into digital processes and they also reflect on the effects of digital culture on society.
On Book Talk, Kory speaks with Te-Ping Chen about her debut collection Land of Big Numbers, a vivid portrayal of the men and women of modern China and its diaspora.
On Radio Dispatch, the Knefels discuss why retail investors short squeezing GameStop stock isn’t the class revolution we’re looking for. Plus a visit from Vaccine Guy.
This week BreakThru Radio Weekly celebrates its 200th episode. J. McVay, Jacqueline Soller, Joe Virgillito, and Charles Hinshaw revisit the topics of free college, misinformation, immersive moviegoing, prediction markets, and polling from previous episodes of the podcast to discuss them within the contexts of today. Plus a live performance from Hollyy, recorded exclusively for BTRtoday.
Video
On this week’s 1st Person, Val recalls the trauma of having bed bugs and roommates who placed the blame on her. She discusses the measures she took to rid herself of the pests, and how she exterminated the bed bugs, too.
On Video Dispatch, John Knefel reviews the short squeeze on GameStop stock that was orchestrated by a reddit subgroup and the reality for those who may try to manipulate the market.
Editorial
Twitter is still a cesspool of nonsense, but we can all agree—it’s a lot better without Donald Trump.
- Photo by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons
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We shouldn’t need AOC’s Instagram live about her experience during the Capitol riot to remember something that happened three weeks ago.
- Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
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In just a few short months, House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy didn’t just forget about QAnon—he forgot how to say it.
- Kevin McCarthy. Photo via Wikimedia Commons.
Matt Gaetz’s dumb request to pledge allegiance marks the dawn of the golden age of political shitposting.
- Matt Gaetz. Photo by Gage Skidmore via Wikimedia Commons.
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Looking for extremely stupid ways to lose your money this Super Bowl Sunday? Check out our list of this year’s silliest prop bets.
- Screenshot via Twitter user @DMcClure9
Other Politics & Culture News …
Earlier this week, the New York Times reported that the top 9 New York state health officials quit in protest of Governor Andrew Cuomo scorning scientific expertise in regard to COVID-19.
Sound of Music and Knives Out actor Christopher Plummer died Friday at 91.
Preachy’s first Space Object of the Month is M81, or Bode’s Galaxy, which is arranged around a black hole that contains 15 times the mass of the black hole at the center of the Milky Way.
