{"version":1,"type":"rich","provider_name":"Libsyn","provider_url":"https:\/\/www.libsyn.com","height":90,"width":600,"title":"(Pop) Cultural Marxism, Episode 16: Shine Bright Like a TIE Fighter","description":"In episode 16 of (Pop) Cultural Marxism, Isi and Ajay discuss the return of Tony Gilroy\u2019s Andor. Before departing for a galaxy far, far away, they stop by the world of gaming to chat about Hazelight Studio\u2019s latest co-op title, Split Fiction, and the impact of Trump\u2019s tariffs on the rollout of Nintendo\u2019s Switch 2. Turning to the first three episodes of Andor\u2019s second season, Isi and Ajay discuss the show\u2019s improbable presence in the Disney universe, the promises and perils of thinking with all-too-timely cultural objects, and formal and technical differences between seasons one and two. They then evaluate Gilroy\u2019s attempt to balance the tone and feel of the original trilogy with a plausible account of fascist and imperial rule\u2013one that explores the minutiae of bureaucratic hierarchy, financial audits, counterinsurgency tactics, fascist youth culture, the exploitation of undocumented workers, communication blackouts, and the fragility of political resistance. Along the way, they discuss Gilroy\u2019s historical and filmic references, and the show\u2019s resonances with long-time PCM favorite, Franz Neumann\u2019s Behemoth. The Podcast for Social Research is produced by Ryan Lentini. Learn more about upcoming courses on our website. Follow Brooklyn Institute for Social Research on Twitter \/ Facebook \/ Instagram \/ Bluesky ","author_name":"(Pop) Cultural Marxism","author_url":"http:\/\/thebrooklyninstitute.com","html":"