michael mezzatesta
@michaelmezz.bsky.social
economics, climate, finance & culture ✨ ☿
host of better future podcast:
host of better future podcast:
this is a telling headline from CNBC. if our economy needs us to keep buying devices that break, maybe it’s the system — not the devices — that needs an upgrade.
November 24, 2025 at 9:00 PM
this is a telling headline from CNBC. if our economy needs us to keep buying devices that break, maybe it’s the system — not the devices — that needs an upgrade.
tired of corporations having too much power? the solution is the same as it ever was: organized labor.
the latest proof comes from a hospital system in California:
the latest proof comes from a hospital system in California:
November 24, 2025 at 7:45 PM
tired of corporations having too much power? the solution is the same as it ever was: organized labor.
the latest proof comes from a hospital system in California:
the latest proof comes from a hospital system in California:
elon musk wants to block out the sun
wait — we’ve seen this before…
wait — we’ve seen this before…
November 13, 2025 at 9:22 PM
elon musk wants to block out the sun
wait — we’ve seen this before…
wait — we’ve seen this before…
how people who support canceling SNAP benefits see the world, apparently
October 31, 2025 at 12:06 AM
how people who support canceling SNAP benefits see the world, apparently
Pix is wildly popular in Brazil 📈
it’s a free, inclusive, publicly-owned digital payment system… and it’s quickly become the most common payment method in 🇧🇷
but it cuts out US corporations — so now the US govt is trying to get it taken down.
this is what capitalist imperialism looks like:
it’s a free, inclusive, publicly-owned digital payment system… and it’s quickly become the most common payment method in 🇧🇷
but it cuts out US corporations — so now the US govt is trying to get it taken down.
this is what capitalist imperialism looks like:
October 29, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Pix is wildly popular in Brazil 📈
it’s a free, inclusive, publicly-owned digital payment system… and it’s quickly become the most common payment method in 🇧🇷
but it cuts out US corporations — so now the US govt is trying to get it taken down.
this is what capitalist imperialism looks like:
it’s a free, inclusive, publicly-owned digital payment system… and it’s quickly become the most common payment method in 🇧🇷
but it cuts out US corporations — so now the US govt is trying to get it taken down.
this is what capitalist imperialism looks like:
wealthy people aren’t wealthy because they “take risks.”
they insulate themselves from the serious risks working people face every day.
neoliberalism supports this by removing workers’ rights to organize.
@graceblakeley.substack.com on the better future podcast:
they insulate themselves from the serious risks working people face every day.
neoliberalism supports this by removing workers’ rights to organize.
@graceblakeley.substack.com on the better future podcast:
October 22, 2025 at 7:34 PM
wealthy people aren’t wealthy because they “take risks.”
they insulate themselves from the serious risks working people face every day.
neoliberalism supports this by removing workers’ rights to organize.
@graceblakeley.substack.com on the better future podcast:
they insulate themselves from the serious risks working people face every day.
neoliberalism supports this by removing workers’ rights to organize.
@graceblakeley.substack.com on the better future podcast:
please help raise awareness for Sudan, where there is an urgent humanitarian crisis that isn’t getting coverage in Western media.
October 21, 2025 at 11:48 PM
please help raise awareness for Sudan, where there is an urgent humanitarian crisis that isn’t getting coverage in Western media.
why is this so hard to understand
September 30, 2025 at 10:16 PM
why is this so hard to understand
the US is taking a 10% stake in Intel.
this is corporate socialism — designed to protect private industries tied to US empire.
now imagine if we had progressive politicians bold enough to enact socialism *for the people* — where public investments fund healthcare, housing, renewable energy, etc…
this is corporate socialism — designed to protect private industries tied to US empire.
now imagine if we had progressive politicians bold enough to enact socialism *for the people* — where public investments fund healthcare, housing, renewable energy, etc…
September 17, 2025 at 11:39 PM
the US is taking a 10% stake in Intel.
this is corporate socialism — designed to protect private industries tied to US empire.
now imagine if we had progressive politicians bold enough to enact socialism *for the people* — where public investments fund healthcare, housing, renewable energy, etc…
this is corporate socialism — designed to protect private industries tied to US empire.
now imagine if we had progressive politicians bold enough to enact socialism *for the people* — where public investments fund healthcare, housing, renewable energy, etc…
Slavoj Žižek: it’s not culture that drives overconsumption — it’s capitalism.
September 8, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Slavoj Žižek: it’s not culture that drives overconsumption — it’s capitalism.
Thomas Sankara stood up to capitalist imperialism – and was assassinated as a result. we should remember him, for we are the heirs of the world’s revolutions.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
September 7, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Thomas Sankara stood up to capitalist imperialism – and was assassinated as a result. we should remember him, for we are the heirs of the world’s revolutions.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
class vs. identity politics is one of the deepest divides in the US progressive movement right now. i sat down with @bookersquared.bsky.social to talk about how we bridge it.
i’m optimistic — because so much of US leftist history was written by Black people.
i’m optimistic — because so much of US leftist history was written by Black people.
September 4, 2025 at 7:40 PM
class vs. identity politics is one of the deepest divides in the US progressive movement right now. i sat down with @bookersquared.bsky.social to talk about how we bridge it.
i’m optimistic — because so much of US leftist history was written by Black people.
i’m optimistic — because so much of US leftist history was written by Black people.
why does the US continue to support Israel, despite condemnation from its own citizens and the world?
Israel helps the US crush liberation movements in the region. and the occupation of Gaza upholds the structures of capitalist imperialism.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
Israel helps the US crush liberation movements in the region. and the occupation of Gaza upholds the structures of capitalist imperialism.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
August 15, 2025 at 7:25 PM
why does the US continue to support Israel, despite condemnation from its own citizens and the world?
Israel helps the US crush liberation movements in the region. and the occupation of Gaza upholds the structures of capitalist imperialism.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
Israel helps the US crush liberation movements in the region. and the occupation of Gaza upholds the structures of capitalist imperialism.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
world leaders are meeting now to finalize a Global Plastics Treaty.
the majority of countries are prepared to cap plastic production.
but negotiations are about to collapse — because the US, Russia, and the Gulf States flooded the event with 234 oil industry lobbyists who are disrupting progress.
the majority of countries are prepared to cap plastic production.
but negotiations are about to collapse — because the US, Russia, and the Gulf States flooded the event with 234 oil industry lobbyists who are disrupting progress.
August 13, 2025 at 11:30 PM
world leaders are meeting now to finalize a Global Plastics Treaty.
the majority of countries are prepared to cap plastic production.
but negotiations are about to collapse — because the US, Russia, and the Gulf States flooded the event with 234 oil industry lobbyists who are disrupting progress.
the majority of countries are prepared to cap plastic production.
but negotiations are about to collapse — because the US, Russia, and the Gulf States flooded the event with 234 oil industry lobbyists who are disrupting progress.
liberals are committed to human rights...
but their commitment to capitalism is a bigger priority.
this is why, time and time again, liberalism gives power to the far right.
only a broad-based socialist movement can get us off this flywheel.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on Better Future podcast:
but their commitment to capitalism is a bigger priority.
this is why, time and time again, liberalism gives power to the far right.
only a broad-based socialist movement can get us off this flywheel.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on Better Future podcast:
August 12, 2025 at 9:15 PM
liberals are committed to human rights...
but their commitment to capitalism is a bigger priority.
this is why, time and time again, liberalism gives power to the far right.
only a broad-based socialist movement can get us off this flywheel.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on Better Future podcast:
but their commitment to capitalism is a bigger priority.
this is why, time and time again, liberalism gives power to the far right.
only a broad-based socialist movement can get us off this flywheel.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on Better Future podcast:
why does the West start wars in the Global South?
because capitalism depends on a constant flow of cheap labor & resources from the global periphery to the core.
Western states start wars to keep prices low & protect capital accumulation.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
because capitalism depends on a constant flow of cheap labor & resources from the global periphery to the core.
Western states start wars to keep prices low & protect capital accumulation.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
August 8, 2025 at 8:11 PM
why does the West start wars in the Global South?
because capitalism depends on a constant flow of cheap labor & resources from the global periphery to the core.
Western states start wars to keep prices low & protect capital accumulation.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
because capitalism depends on a constant flow of cheap labor & resources from the global periphery to the core.
Western states start wars to keep prices low & protect capital accumulation.
@jasonhickel.bsky.social on the Better Future podcast:
the uncomfortable truth:
only a small fraction of people can ever be “elites.” having an elite class at all means devoting society’s labor & energy & materials to servicing their desires
this is an irrational thing to be doing.
watch @jasonhickel.bsky.social on episode 3 of Better Future podcast:
only a small fraction of people can ever be “elites.” having an elite class at all means devoting society’s labor & energy & materials to servicing their desires
this is an irrational thing to be doing.
watch @jasonhickel.bsky.social on episode 3 of Better Future podcast:
August 8, 2025 at 12:36 AM
the uncomfortable truth:
only a small fraction of people can ever be “elites.” having an elite class at all means devoting society’s labor & energy & materials to servicing their desires
this is an irrational thing to be doing.
watch @jasonhickel.bsky.social on episode 3 of Better Future podcast:
only a small fraction of people can ever be “elites.” having an elite class at all means devoting society’s labor & energy & materials to servicing their desires
this is an irrational thing to be doing.
watch @jasonhickel.bsky.social on episode 3 of Better Future podcast:
we should tax the rich — but maybe not for the reason you think.
ultra-wealthy people’s money gives them too much command over our labor.
only by taxing the rich can we free up resources for the things we actually want.
listen to @jasonhickel.bsky.social on episode 003 of Better Future podcast:
ultra-wealthy people’s money gives them too much command over our labor.
only by taxing the rich can we free up resources for the things we actually want.
listen to @jasonhickel.bsky.social on episode 003 of Better Future podcast:
August 4, 2025 at 2:17 AM
we should tax the rich — but maybe not for the reason you think.
ultra-wealthy people’s money gives them too much command over our labor.
only by taxing the rich can we free up resources for the things we actually want.
listen to @jasonhickel.bsky.social on episode 003 of Better Future podcast:
ultra-wealthy people’s money gives them too much command over our labor.
only by taxing the rich can we free up resources for the things we actually want.
listen to @jasonhickel.bsky.social on episode 003 of Better Future podcast:
can capitalism solve climate change?
episode 003 of Better Future podcast is now live, featuring @jasonhickel.bsky.social
episode 003 of Better Future podcast is now live, featuring @jasonhickel.bsky.social
July 31, 2025 at 6:48 PM
can capitalism solve climate change?
episode 003 of Better Future podcast is now live, featuring @jasonhickel.bsky.social
episode 003 of Better Future podcast is now live, featuring @jasonhickel.bsky.social
The MAGA immigration narrative is filled with talking points that don’t stand up to reality.
June 12, 2025 at 5:59 PM
The MAGA immigration narrative is filled with talking points that don’t stand up to reality.
finally, we are united ✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼
June 6, 2025 at 8:21 PM
finally, we are united ✊🏼✊🏼✊🏼
mainstream economists say the US economy is “leaving Europe in the dust”
actually, income growth for the 99% has been better in France 🇫🇷 than in the USA 🇺🇸
actually, income growth for the 99% has been better in France 🇫🇷 than in the USA 🇺🇸
May 28, 2025 at 11:22 PM
mainstream economists say the US economy is “leaving Europe in the dust”
actually, income growth for the 99% has been better in France 🇫🇷 than in the USA 🇺🇸
actually, income growth for the 99% has been better in France 🇫🇷 than in the USA 🇺🇸
a few of my favorite academics published a paper that exposes some controversial truths about our economic system.
here’s why they recommend a shift to a post-growth economy:
here’s why they recommend a shift to a post-growth economy:
May 22, 2025 at 11:18 PM
a few of my favorite academics published a paper that exposes some controversial truths about our economic system.
here’s why they recommend a shift to a post-growth economy:
here’s why they recommend a shift to a post-growth economy:
this “news spotlight” really sums up the current vibes
May 17, 2025 at 6:33 PM
this “news spotlight” really sums up the current vibes
elon musk & other billionaires want us to worry about “population collapse.”
don’t be fooled — a declining population would mean less poverty, less stress on the environment, and more power for workers.
don’t be fooled — a declining population would mean less poverty, less stress on the environment, and more power for workers.
May 13, 2025 at 9:34 PM
elon musk & other billionaires want us to worry about “population collapse.”
don’t be fooled — a declining population would mean less poverty, less stress on the environment, and more power for workers.
don’t be fooled — a declining population would mean less poverty, less stress on the environment, and more power for workers.