In this episode, we talk about the increasing shittiness of the products and services we buy. We cover what enshittification and shrinkflation mean, why the quality of goods is getting worse despite increasing prices, some surprising examples of how this phenomena affects our everyday lives, and what we think can be done to fix the problem. Follow us on instagram @thetakedownpod Resources to support Sudan: Save Al-Geneina Initiative HomeTaxSD Sudanese Charity Collective

In this episode we talk about AI, its effects on society and how it’s changing the world. We cover what exactly counts as "AI", how AI is being used today, and the things you may not have known about AI that we think you should be aware of. The Ugly Truth Behind ChatGPT How Can We Trust AI AI's Impact on Climate Follow us on instagram @thetakedownpod

In this episode, we talk about youth activism and how young people are making their voices heard. We talk about who exactly is considered a "youth", the history of student protests, how and why young people engage in political discourse, and why it's important to pay attention. Follow us on instagram @thetakedownpod

In this episode, Mahdi & Alex take on the "stan" phenomena. We discuss some of the biggest online fandoms, the characteristics of modern-day internet stans, the psychology behind parasocial relationships, and the very real effects these communities have on our society and the way we talk to each other. Follow us on instagram @thetakedownpod

In today's episode, Alex joins me to dissect the bizzare (and sometimes dangerous) culture that surrounds incels and the mens-rights movement. We discuss the origins of the word "incel", the societal factors that make this phenomena so prevalent amongst young men, and what people can do to help others who have fallen prey to the manosphere. Follow us on instagram @thetakedownpod Sudan Relief Fund HomeTax Sudan Relief Sudan Humanitarian Fund

In this mini-episode, I dive into media bias and the ways it manifests in the news. I cover some of the reasons the news is reported in its current form, and share some surprising facts about how news organizations operate. I also give some tips that can hopefully help you decide whether to trust a news source and how to detect bias in a story. Is The New York Times’ newsroom just a bunch of Ivy Leaguers? (Kinda, sorta.) - Joshua Benton (Pay)Walled Gardens: Status and Racialized Discourse Among Authors of Student Loan News Articles - Dominique J. Baker, Jaime Ramirez-Mendoza, Lauren Mena Shook, Christopher T. Bennett Follow us on instagram @thetakedownpod

In today's episode, I am joined again by Alex to break one of the most controversial topics in politics today: immigration. We talk about the shifting views on immigrants, go into some of the absurdities of the legal immigration process, and dissect the moralities and practicalities of the various immigration policies today. Articles referenced in episode: Why Legal Immigration Is Nearly Impossible by David J. Bier - CATO Institute U.S. Army Is Discharging Immigrant Recruits Who Were Promised Citizenship by Vanessa Romo - NPR The West’s Obsession With Border Security Is Breeding Instability by Ruben Andersson and David Keen - Foreign Policy Magazine Follow us on instagram @thetakedownpod

This week, I did something different and hit the streets of NYC to ask people about some of the recent headlines in the news. I asked people about issues they care about, recent political developments, and the things they feel media should be covering.  Follow the podcast on instagram @breakingthenet1 to get the latest news and see episode snippets & outtakes. If you enjoy the show, please consider hitting the follow button.

Mahdi is joined by Fellow at the Center for Strategic and International Studies and Asia Expert, Charles Dunst, to talk about US-China tensions, elections in South Korea and the Philippines, the coup in Myanmar, investor woes in Saudi Arabia, an attack on a synagogue in Texas, and this year’s less-than-glamorous Golden Globe Awards. Guest: Charles Dunst (@charlesdunst) If you enjoy the show, please consider hitting the follow button.

Mahdi is joined by Director of the Middle East Treaty Organization and author of A Middle East Free of Weapons of Mass Destruction: A New Approach to Nonproliferation, Emad Kiyaei to discuss the latest developments in the Iran nuclear talks, President Biden’s Democracy Summit, the state of democracy in India, and a private Israeli firm that sells spy software. Guest: Emad Kiyaei (@ekiyaei) If you enjoy the show, please consider hitting the follow button.