Trash Can Nachos

Why do international institutions have scary-sounding names? Why do we fall for dolphin propaganda, every ...

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Why do international institutions have scary-sounding names? Why do we fall for dolphin propaganda, every time? What form does the true Platonic Nacho take? Return guest Scott Lincicome joins The Remnant to answer these pressing questions. This episode explains more of this international man of mystery’s backstory, revealing not only what irks him about modern China-hawkishness, but also the cherished memory that reliably brings a tear to his eye.


Show Notes:

–Scott’s Twitter poll about animal PR

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  1. Jordan Henderson

    I'd like to hear more about the Jones Act and why it's problematic. Can someone point me to an article or book?

    Scott Lincicome mentioned that it costs 5x more to build commercial ships in the US when compared with elsewhere. I wonder what it would cost if there weren't a requirement to have US Ships run between US ports? Would we build ships in the US at all if it were not for the Jones Act? It seems to me that building commercial shipping is strategic and needs to be supported.

    Scott also mentioned that he could draft good hawkish legislation on China, but any such thing actually been proposed until Trump put in place the "bad" Tariffs on China?

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    WilliamJ

    I really hate the intro music. Adv Opinions got some good intro music, but you tried too hard.

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    Brian Levy

    With the discussion about animal PR and how bad blue jays really are, how did you miss not renaming "stupid hawkishness" as "Jay Hawkery" (apologies and no insult intended to KU fans). Then after hearing about Josh Hawley's trade policies (and Scott's haircut) later in the podcast you could also have renamed it "MO-Hawkery".

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  4. Richard Fulmer

    I'm generally a free trader, but I'm concerned with the way China has weaponized its trade with the West by, for example, putting “back doors” in computer equipment. I think that the U.S. should ban the use of Chinese components in all military equipment and in all equipment used for our infrastructure systems (power, water and sewage, transportation, communications, etc.). That would include a ban on equipment – such as laptops, PCs, and smart phones – used by infrastructure support personnel.

    Is this a practical solution? Could this provoke hostilities? Is there a libertarian solution to the China issue?

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    1. PM

      It would seem to me that if one were libertarian and those who go on about liberty/freedom would not wish to be yoked. If I can't make it myself, then I go to my family, then to the city, the state and then the 50 states.

      Inasmuch as I can, I resist/deny the purchase of Chinese equipment.

      I wouldn't be vitriolic about it. But that seems to be the strategy. If folk are not whipped up in anger, then they won't be motivated. I would just do it.

      Is it practical? Well, I think that there are companies that will vigorously resist. It will take time, probably years. These companies want to be in China and probably are as much interested in having access to the Chinese market as they are in doing business in the USA.

      Let's take smartphones. We have and continue to prevent quite a few Chinese vendors from being able to sell their smartphones in the US. Did they steal our smartphone technology? Well something happened. It should be obvious that if you're manufacturing your smartphone over in China that you'll be at a competitive disadvantage.

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    Michael Darwin

    I don't understand how you can broach the topic of animal PR without bringing up bear propaganda. Don't tell me it is because you don't want to repeat yourself because that's not a thing.

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    Michael Darwin

    Oh, the opening. I like it, but not as much as I loved your prior opening. It's not that there's anything wrong with it, and I'm sure I'll adjust over time. But to put it in nerd speak, it's like the opening themes to Star Trek and Battlestar Galactica. I love them both. But if season 3 of Star Trek had run with the Galactica theme before Spock's Brain instead of the Alexander Courage theme, it would have felt... not right. That's where I am right now.

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    Michael Darwin

    I almost did a Danny Thomas spit-take when Jonah suggested a way to avoid triggering Trump-loving anti-globalists was to rename the WTO the Bulwark. Dude, that would be way worse.

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      CynthiaW

      I laughed every time Jonah said "gloooooooooowbullist."

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        Michael Darwin

        Has anyone put together the official Remnant drinking game yet?

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          C C Writer

          A suggestion has been sent in to include Remnant bingo cards among the swag. I hope they don't leave out any of the major buzzwords or memes. If some among us want to amuse themselves, they could start drawing up a list and e-mail it in. Don't forget Episode 11!

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            Michael Darwin

            Cigars, Battlestar Galactica, Biden squirrels, Star Trek, Woodrow Wilson, Ball, Dingo, Scotch

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            CynthiaW

            Excellent idea.

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          CynthiaW

          That could be really funny ... but maybe it should be done after we're released from confinement. The Wall Street Journal ran an opinion piece yesterday reminding us that excessive drinking and drug use in quarantine is unhealthy.

          I wish Jonah would find some positive ways of addressing his stress. Long walks on the treadmill while listening to the back catalog of "Myths and Legends," for example, or nature drawing. As a fan from his earliest years of publication, when we were both in college (at the same time but different places), I'm concerned about his well-being.

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            Michael Darwin

            He does have his dogs to keep him sane and healthy.

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  8. PM

    To polemic or not to polemic. We know in practice which approach most prefer. Gentle women prefer polemic.

    I don't know where AEI gets its funding. I would assume it comes by and large from like minded donors.

    But who wants to be on the side cheering for increased outsourcing? And to top it off, much of that going to China.

    In general, I would not want to be a politician telling voters: "You cost too much. And even worse, you do shoddy work. You should be thankful that China has stepped in."

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  9. Joe O

    Excellent. One your best podcast. No subtle references that too many times leaves me in the dust scratching my head. SUGGESTION: Do one of your fact checks on Trumps statements about how tariffs are paid by China, when it's we American consumers that pay those tariffs.

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    Patrick Roy

    For those who want to be hawkish on China (raises hand), I do not understand why we are not pushing some large weapons deals to allies in the region. Yes, it would anger the Chinese but it wouldnt lead to a shooting war.

    It would send a message, accomplish a strategic outcome, and would benefit industries in the US.

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