Workers' Lit

We're back and holding Rich Devos accountable. This is the second half of our conversation on "Compassionate Capitalism" and "Ten Powerful Phrases" by Amway founder and rightwing billionaire Rich Devos. In this half we really tear into the cult of toxic positivity, discuss dialectics the Devos way, and Jacob gets REAL heated about the idea that God will "just take care of it." If you're not already familiar with Josh's work, then what the heck are you doing?? Check out Josh's podcast here: https://www.worstpossible.world/ Music by Kevin MacLeod, art is the dude himself

It's time to learn more than we ever wanted to about Amway founder and general rightwing psycho, Richard Devos. Josh Boerman from Worst of All Possible Worlds returns to the podcast to discuss Devos' self-help book/manifestos "Compassionate Capitalism" and, to a lesser extent, "Ten Powerful Phrases for Positive People." They're some doozies, folks. Who is this Rich guy, and how did he manage to get his sticky fingers all over everything in the whole country? What's the deal with multi-level marketing companies? Is socialism doomed (Rich thinks so in 1994, he becomes less sure by 2008.) Check out Josh's podcast here: https://www.worstpossible.world/ Music by Kevin MacLeod, episode art is of the Amway Center.

Welcome back to the cyber-adrenaline rush that is Neal Stephenson's, "Snow Crash!" The Shelfers team up with Kurt Schiller of Podside Picnic and Blood Knife Magazine to get to the bottom of age-old questions like: how do you handle a guy who has a nuclear bomb strapped to his motorcycle? (and other stuff like that) Check out Kurt's work at https://bloodknife.com/, https://www.patreon.com/PodsidePicnic, and @MechanicalKurt on Twitter Episode art is of Neal Stephenson, music by Kevin MacLeod.

We're going to the distant, wild, far-flung cyberpunk future of the early 2000s...as seen from the early 90s. Yep, we're talking about Neal Stephenson's 1992 science fiction/action/dystopian/satirical/straight-up-badass novel, "Snow Crash." Joining the Shelfers to discuss is editor of Blood Knife Magazine and member of Podside Picnic, Kurt Schiller. What's the difference between anti-capitalism and anti-corporatism? What happened to the dreams of the techno-utopians? Is Hiro Protagonist a good name for your main character? Why is Uncle Enzo so damn cool? All that and more! Check out Kurt's work: https://bloodknife.com/, https://www.patreon.com/PodsidePicnic, @MechanicalKurt on Twitter. Credit to Blowback for our parody intro and to the song "World Destruction" by Time Zone. Credit to Kevin MacLeod for our outro music. Cover art is from the cover of the novel itself. Alternate title for this episode: "Ready Player FUN"

EMBRACE THE IMMORTAL SCIENCE OF MARXISM-LENINISM-LEVONISM!!!! We're back with Sydney to finish out this trudge through what I assume has to be Ben Shapiro parodying himself: "True Allegiance." This book is bad. It's so so so so bad. Music by Kevin MacLeod, episode art is of a random child who tapped me on the shoulder and asked if he looked cool in his hat.

UGGHHHHHH That more or less summarizes our reaction to "True Allegiance," Ben Shapiro's work of fiction that repeatedly, incessantly, infuriatingly, asks over and over and over: "Have you considered wokeism might be at the heart of our problems?" No Ben, we haven't. Joining us is cringe-fiction expert and Jacob's spouse, Sydney, to really get into this evil creation of the whiny, deranged, foot-stomping manchild known as Ben Shapiro. Music by Kevin MacLeod. The cover art is...pretty epic.

It's our first repeat author! Get ready to discuss the short stories, "Bloodchild," "Amnesty," and "Book of Martha" by the Queen of science fiction, Octavia Butler. Joining us is noted sci-fi enthusiast, drip-king, and all-around-cool-guy, Aaron Thorpe! How does one sanitize literally being eaten alive? Why is the internet into botflies? What would you do with the powers of God? Who's more evil, alien invaders or the US Government? (Okay, that's one's obvious.) Check out Aaron @Afrocosmist on Twitter or go listen to his podcasts: "The Trillbilly Worker's Party," "Struggle Session," and "Everybody Loves Communism" Music by Kevin MacLeod, art from the republished edition of "Bloodchild."

It's the week of interviews, and we're back with another fantastic one...this time with legendary socialist writer, thinker, and enjoyer of good fiction, Vijay Prashad! Hear Vijay's thoughts on superhero films, the (super)power of organizing, how mass media reveals the insecurities of the ruling class, and how anti-capitalist fiction can become revolutionary art. For more from Vijay Prashad, go to https://thetricontinental.org/ Music by Kevin MacLeod, episode art is Vijay's Twitter profile pic (and a very nice one at that.)

We enjoyed his book, "American War," and in this episode, we got a chance to enjoy speaking to the author! Listen to acclaimed writer and journalist Omar El Akkad chat with the Shelfers about climate change, the dangers of American individualism, his writing process...and then even more about climate change. You're not required to scroll back and listen to our "American War" episodes before listening to this interview, but we sure would recommend it. You can find Omar here on Twitter: @omarelakkad. We also recommend you check out his podcast, "WITHOUT." Music by Kevin MacLeod. Episode art is a picture of our guest!

Y'all know what's up: it's Kim Stanley Robinson's climate fiction smorgasbord, "The Ministry for the Future!" REVOLUTIONARY OPTIMISM!!!!!!!! Music by Kevin MacLeod, episode art is of KSR himself