System Failure

66:33

Too Late for Marxism?

System Failure ·

2026/05/18

After a brief review of the history of child slavery in Rhode Island, the boys ponder the underlying causes and test drive the idea it is a lack of hope for the future—and not screens—that are behind the phenomenon. They then acknowledge NYC’s balanced budget under Mamdani, note that the average student loan defaulter is nearly 40, and then take a look at the effect of the Iran War on the bond market. Finally, the lads turn their attention to a recent Gad Saad appearance on the Joe Rogan program.

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13:24

Alchemical Journey

System Failure ·

2026/05/14

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “Alchemical Journey”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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66:04

Killing the Bank of North Dakota

System Failure ·

2026/05/11

After Nate brags about his minimalist achievement in the Android App Drawer, Brian brings up some strange tweets and bizarre circumstances surrounding the recent shooting at White House Correspondents Dinner. The lads are left to speculate how much of our reality is actually manufactured for our consumption. The boys then dig into ruling class’s motivation for deception. To buttress the point, Nate launches into a brief history of attempts to dismantle the USA’s only public bank, the Bank of North

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12:19

Alexandria

System Failure ·

2026/05/07

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “Alexandria”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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66:34

War Propaganda

System Failure ·

2026/05/04

The boys begin by discussing the abrupt Spirit Airlines shut down this week, on which Nate just flew this past week. The lads then turn their attention to the bizarre shooting incident at the White House Correspondents Dinner, apparently anticipated by bizarre twitter post from 2023. Next, Russell Brand’s recent US tour comes up, along with his pending rape trial, and his candidacy for Mayor of the City of London. Finally, the boys discuss the latest Lego-themed video from a Iranian propaganda

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11:26

Crucifixion

System Failure ·

2026/04/30

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “Crucifixion”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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61:12

Too Late

System Failure ·

2026/04/27

The boys discuss the scene in Boston on Marathon Monday before turning to the war in Iran that continues to grip the world. Even if it ended today, the conflict won't have been resolved in time to forestall a disastrous energy crisis. The lads then address the bizarre list of missing scientists that's gaining traction in the news. Finally, Nate shares some quotes from historian Will Durant about the cyclical nature of history. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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13:10

By Their Fruits

System Failure ·

2026/04/23

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “By Their Fruits”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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63:27

Sustainability vs Empire

System Failure ·

2026/04/20

The lads ruminate on the experience of consuming the news during the war in Iran. With history unfolding before our eyes, today’s news is being digested by the public and converted into tomorrow’s history. Nate draws a comparison the with the Suez Crisis of 1956, as the US wrestles with the age-old tradeoff between sustainability and empire. The recent warehouse fire in California and the attack on OpenAI CEO Sam Altman anchors the discussion as the lads zoom out to consider the long sweep of

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13:57

Holy Grails

System Failure ·

2026/04/16

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “Holy Grails”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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62:18

Too Much News

System Failure ·

2026/04/13

Brian dives into a roundup of recent Twitter posts, including testimony in Germany about the extent of COVID era vaccine injuries, and AI waking up and becoming sentient. The boys then wade into some discouraging developments in Iran that could mean the loss of the US empire. That discussion leads the lads to remark on the advisability of consuming the news. Finally, Nate reaches back in time with the story of Petrarch, Boccaccio and Dante, who lived through the darkest night before the dawn of

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12:57

Persecution

System Failure ·

2026/04/09

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “Persecution”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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63:03

Losing the Meme War

System Failure ·

2026/04/06

After checking on Brian in his new digs in Rhode Island, the boys react to the President’s disappointing address to the nation to update us on the Iran War. They fear that Trump is caught in a classic escalation trap. Nate bemusedly recalls that Saudi Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal owned Planet Hollywood when he waited tables there, which leads to the lads to note that while Iran may be losing the air war, they are winning on economic and memetic fronts. Finally, the boys discuss some shocking new

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11:13

Witchcraft

System Failure ·

2026/04/02

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “Witchcraft”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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72:13

Goodbye, Brian

System Failure ·

2026/03/30

After being up late the night before to see Dave Smith, the boys speculate on the recent rate of decline in peanut allergies. Then, the discussion shifts to the blackout in Cuba and the possibility of a financial meltdown in private credit or in the AI sector. Finally, Nate makes a comparison between the ill-fated Gallipoli Campaign of World War 1 and a potential US invasion of Iran’s Kharg Island. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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14:27

Plato’s Shadow

System Failure ·

2026/03/26

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “Plato’s Shadow”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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61:27

Further Chaos

System Failure ·

2026/03/23

The boys gives an update on Brian’s impending move to Rhode Island, before chatting about the latest escalations in the war with Iran. Nate then brings up the potential for a budget reconciliation to force real cuts in other government spending. After hearing Michael Pollan speak on his new book about consciousness, the lads wonder about the potential for another “Copernican” moment. Finally Nate spins an amusing anecdote about the Great Schism of 1054 into a brief genealogy of Platonism. Get full

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12:02

The Magic of Plato

System Failure ·

2026/03/19

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “The Magic of Plato”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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62:18

Game Theory

System Failure ·

2026/03/16

Brian shares his recent professional presentation on Nash equilibrium, and relates the concept to the "mutually assured destruction" that characterized both the Cold War and the current conflict with Iran. Then, the boys expands upon Bret Weinstein’s brilliant distinction between Earned and Unearned Income. Finally, Nate reports on Kalemegdan Fortress and Saint Sava, two unforgettable landmarks in the Serbian capital of Belgrade. Get full access to System Failure at

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13:09

Water into Wine

System Failure ·

2026/03/12

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “Water into Wine”. Get full access to System Failure at www.systemfailure.org/subscribe

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