The Best of Discourse Blog
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The Best of Discourse Blog
Looking for our top blogs? Here's where to get started.
Welcome to Discourse Blog!
We have published thousands of blogs since we started this site way back in March 2020. (That’s right: we decided to launch a new, independent media outlet right when the pandemic hit. We’re business geniuses!) That’s…a lot of blogs—way too many for a newbie to acquaint themselves with. So we want to help you out by pointing you to what we consider to be the best of Discourse Blog.
Below, you will find a selection of our favorite posts going back chronologically all the way to the beginning of Discourse Blog. They range very widely over their subject matter, tone, and just about everything else, but they are all united by our core values: being forthright about what we believe in, standing up for the marginalized and oppressed, telling the venal crooks who run this world to go to hell, and not taking ourselves too seriously.
We love this work, and we want to keep doing it—and for that, we need your help. So click through these stories, and then click that subscribe button! And thanks so much for being a Discourse Blog reader.
“The Rules of War,” by Jack Crosbie
They are being broken profoundly and openly right now. But they still offer a reminder that, despite being capable of horrific violence, human beings are not helpless in its path.
“There Is Only One Way Out of This,” by Jack Mirkinson
Unless Israel ends the occupation and the apartheid state, this will never be over.
“The Moral Panic Over Retail Theft Is Out of Control,” by Caitlin Schneider
We've landed on another way to give cops an insane amount of money to 'fix' an overhyped problem.
For legal reasons we must only speculate and I should clarify that this is purely satire.
“No You Crypto Fucks Cannot Have My Eyeballs,” by Rafi Schwartz
Fuck off!
“It’s Actually Really Easy Not to Give Props to a Huge Racist,” by Jack Mirkinson
Pro tip: if someone is blatantly racist all the time, maybe give their material a wide berth.
“Bluesky Is a Flop and So Is Everything Else,” by Jack Crosbie
We're at the end of an era of social media, and I don't know what happens next.
“What a Year Without Roe Has Done,” by Samantha Grasso
12 months of fury, turmoil—and grief.
“The Multiverse is a Goddamn Mess,” by Katherine Krueger
My kingdom for a coherent movie plot.
“You Can’t Expect a Company to Have Morals,” by Jack Crosbie
Target is bowing to far-right ideologues because it's the easiest thing to do.
“Now Is a Great Time to Wear Your Mask,” by Samantha Grasso
COVID-19 care is about to get a lot worse for marginalized and uninsured people. Masking is one way you can help.
“Jordan Neely Was a Human Being,” by Jack Mirkinson
He deserved to live in dignity, and he did not deserve to die.
“Fucker Carlson,” by Rafi Schwartz
Fox News has finally popped its biggest fascist pimple.
“Shame on the New York Times,” by Katherine Krueger
The paper's response to a letter decrying its anti-trans coverage was disgraceful.
“Fiona Apple’s Court Watch Advocacy Rules,” by Caitlin Schneider
While other celebrities write checks, attend galas, then contort and contradict themselves, Apple is out here doing the actual work.
“Please Enjoy My Wife's Bespoke Collection of Absurd Political Content,” by Jack Crosbie
Kara and I experience politics online in very different ways, and I love that for us.
“There Is Blood on So Many Hands Today,” by Samantha Grasso
In the wake of the Colorado Springs massacre, let's give a giant fuck you to everyone who has fueled this climate of hatred.
“How Do You Flip Someone Off?” by Rafi Schwartz
There are many methods to giving someone the finger — but only some are correct.
“We Don’t Talk Enough About: Ernie’s Moon Song,” by Caitlin Schneider
How is it possible that this two-minute children’s song is the most profound piece of music ever recorded?
“The Media Has Gone Full Ableist on John Fetterman,” by Rafi Schwartz
This sucks, man.
“Henry Kissinger Is Right There: The Queen Edition,” by Jack Mirkinson
Hint hint!
“I Can’t Stay In Texas Anymore,” by Samantha Grasso
Seeking: a decent place to live.
“Leave Hunter Biden Alone,” by Katherine Krueger
His mistakes and his floundering make him the only relatable member of the Biden family.
“This Fight Did Not Begin With Us And It Will Not End With Us,” by Caitlin Schneider
We know the right to abortion can be won because it has been won before. Now it’s up to us to win it again.
“100 Years Ago A Cop Was Kicked in the Balls So Hard He Died,” by Rafi Schwartz
A profound moment in history, remembered.
“Fuck This Country,” by Katherine Krueger
It's hard to shake the feeling that there are now more ways to die than to live in America.
“The TERF Mask Is Off,” by Jack Mirkinson
Transphobes are being crystal clear: they want trans people eliminated.
“The NYPD Can’t Protect Us,” by Jack Crosbie
This is what happens when everyday incompetence and structural failures mix.
“The Secret Left-Wing History of ‘Monopoly,’” by Caitlin Schneider
Behind the top hat and twirling mustache of Rich Uncle Pennybags is a tale of thievery, corporate greed, and the erasure of an anti-monopoly activist.
“‘They’ve Had To Leave Behind Things That I Didn’t’: Jack Crosbie on Leaving Ukraine”
'I'm going home, and they're going away from home.'
“Every Single Bird of the Week”
Here is a running tally of every bird we’ve featured in Bird of the Week, as well as some of our favorite standalone birds.
“Every Single Discourse Blog Interview”
Or, as we call them, Discourses.
“We Should Cover Everyone Like We're Covering Ukrainians,” by Jack Mirkinson
People following the mainstream coverage of Ukraine are getting an excellent lesson in media double standards.
“Working at a College During COVID Has Sucked,” by Paul Blest
'It’s almost as if they’re incentivizing people to come to work sick.'
“Today Was So Stupid,” by Katherine Krueger
Democrats turned the January 6 anniversary into the dumbest, most cringe-worthy event possible.
“Another In-Depth Interview With My Sons About Today’s World,” by Rafi Schwartz
What starts with COVID and ends with butt jokes? This interview!
“It's Time For the Social Media Workforce to Organize,” by Caitlin Schneider
Something is happening in the world of social media managers and editors—and it looks a bit like the beginning of a labor movement.
“The Hell of Trying to Get Paid Medical Leave In America,” by Samantha Grasso
Trying to help my husband get paid medical leave from work was a lesson in the nightmares this country puts people through.
“‘The Card Counter’ and the Sins of a Nation,” by Katherine Krueger
Paul Schrader's latest film asks if we'll ever be forgiven for the War on Terror.
“The Government Is Done With COVID,” by Paul Blest
Even though the pandemic itself is still very much with us.
“Is Madison Cawthorn Incredibly Dumb? A Discourse Blog Investigation,” by Rafi Schwartz
The people want to know!
“The New York Times Won't Stop Gaslighting Its Unionizing Workers,” by Jack Crosbie
Audio obtained by Discourse Blog shows the paper's CEO trying to blame the union for a recent breakdown in talks. Sources say the truth is just the opposite.
What stage of capitalism is this?
Over a century ago, ‘Americanitis’ plagued a subset of the country. We're still afflicted today.
“The Grassroots Effort to Unionize a New Orleans Charter School,” by Paul Blest
The teachers at Bricolage Academy could get a union today—despite the best efforts of their bosses.
“Bari Weiss Mask Off,” by Jack Mirkinson
Weiss wrote that Israel's killing of children is an 'unavoidable burden.' Words fail.
“Big Day for Ducks,” by Katherine Krueger
When will Joe Biden release his plan for the conservation of big-ass ducks?
“The Bitter Struggle to Form America’s Biggest Coffee Shop Union,” by Samantha Grasso
Colectivo Coffee could become the largest unionized coffee shop in the country. Its owners are trying to stop that from happening.
“The ‘Teen Vogue’ Mess Is What Happens When Bosses Don’t Listen,” by Aleks Chan
Condé Nast’s catastrophic mishandling of Alexi McCammond's hiring as the editor of ‘Teen Vogue’ is what happens when management doesn't respect its employees.
“The Rise and Fall of Grand Slam USA,” by Paul Blest
How a single batting cage led me down a very weird rabbit hole.
'“Texas Is a Failed State,” by Samantha Grasso
What it's like to live through the hellish cold-weather crisis.
“The Do Nothing Caucus,” by Paul Blest
These Senate Democrats aren't 'dealmakers.' They're cynical, useless scammers.
“We’re Not Better Than This,” by Jack Crosbie
So many people were unprepared for this moment because they still believed in the American myth.
“It's OK to Call Bad People Mean Words,” by Katherine Krueger
The awful people might get mad, but it doesn't matter. They're awful people!
“How to Destroy the Supreme Court,” by Paul Blest
For there to be real progress in this country, the court as it currently exists must end.
“You’ve Been Watching Army Propaganda This Entire Time,” by Samantha Grasso
How an old MTV reality show opened my eyes about the military's iron grip on our culture.
Trump has COVID. I guess we’re doing this!
“RBG and the Stories We Tell Ourselves,” by Caitlin Schneider
Ruth Bader Ginsburg's death also felt like the end of a series of myths about American politics.
“Let Me Tell You About My Heart,” by Rafi Schwartz
Or, how some people tried to un-fuck my fairly fucked-up organ.
“I Guess It Was Just Our Turn to Burn,” by Jack Crosbie
We'll all know what it feels like eventually.
“A Visit to the California Town Founded by Black Americans,” by Caitlin Schneider
At the start of the 20th century, a small group of Californians built a new kind of community.
“Why They're Not Calling It a Strike,” by Katherine Krueger
Acknowledging that most of us are workers and workers can withhold their labor is a stark challenge to the status quo. It also doesn't happen all that often.
“The System Is Back,” by Jack Mirkinson
The message is clear: The adults have returned. They'll take it from here. So shut the hell up.
“‘Terrace House’ Is Falling Down,” by Samantha Grasso
The biggest lie we ever told ourselves about the Japanese reality show was that it wasn't like all the other ones.
“When the Uprising Comes to Town,” by Paul Blest
How Graham, North Carolina (pop. 15,000) is reckoning with its Confederate monument.
“The Only Solution Is to Burn It All Down,” by Samantha Grasso
The media industry's racism will only be fixed when the entire system is torn apart.
“Which Side Are You On?” by Jack Mirkinson
It's the people versus the cops. You have to choose.
“We’re All Bosses Now,” by Katherine Krueger
The app culture gives everyone a chance to trace, track, and tyrannize workers — even in a pandemic.
“They Can’t Even Fire Us Right,” by Jack Crosbie
You'd think after doing something a couple thousand times the bosses would have the process down.
“We’re Never Going Back to Normal,” by Katherine Krueger
It never existed, and it's sure as hell not coming back.
“How Not to Do Labor Journalism 101,” by Paul Blest
There were a thousand ways to tell this story, and NPR chose the worst one.
“Let’s Keep Going,” by Aleks Chan
Welcome to discourse.blog, a new...project (?) brought to you by the former staff of Splinter.
The Best of Discourse Blog
How is "They Really Think We're All Idiots" by Katherine not on this list?