Some Noise

Quote: "It's a heated field." —Otto Pippenger About: A two-part story about a campaign trying to unseat Speaker Nancy Pelosi from her congressional seat leads to a much larger reckoning for the left. Show Notes: [00:30] “The Layers of Heaven” by Jovica [01:10] “Coulis Coulis” by The Blue Dot Sessions [03:45] On Senator Amy Klobuchar, sporks combs and salads  [04:00] “Grizzlies” by Mary Riddle [04:30] “The second most important race” to watch [06:30] Full results of San Francisco’s 2020 Primary elections Respect to Craig Sager  [06:45] h/t Dorris Burke [07:30] Follow Jasper Wilde [08:50] Read Jasper’s 4,300-word essay here [09:20] “Vik Fenceta” by The Blue Dot Sessions [10:30] Recent progressive wave in San Francisco San Francisco’s problem with needles Light reading on San Francisco’s homeless problem More on the Bay Area housing crisis [11:30] Light reading on: [12:35] “Dusting” by The Blue Dot Sessions [13:00] Related: AOC’s shoes and sneakers [17:05] Follow Otto Pippenger And a recent i

Quote: "I'm a progressive, yeah." —U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi About: A two-part story about a campaign trying to unseat Speaker Nancy Pelosi from her congressional seat leads to a much larger reckoning for the left. Show Notes: [00:30] “The Layers of Heaven” by Jovica [01:00] Light reading on Agatha Bacelar [01:05] “Coulis Coulis” by The Blue Dot Sessions [01:45] Light reading on the progressive movement [01:50] Light reading on Tom Gallagher [02:00] Light reading on Medicare for All, The Green New Deal and US Militarism [02:50] “Swing That Horn” by Mary Riddle [04:15] A profile of Shahid Buttar (@shahidforchange / @Sheeyahshee) And the results [04:45] That time Shahid Buttar ran against Nancy Pelosi in 2018 [05:20] “Exquisite Motion” by The Blue Dot Sessions  His EFF background A rapper and singer A poet A music producer and DJ His 2016 Buring Man DJ set His appearance on Russia Today’s “Breaking the Set” [05:25] Light reading on Shahid’s background [06:15] Related: Burning Man sucks R

Quote: “Where do you want to start?” —Farhad Azad About: Afghanistan has far too often been referred to as a place where countries go to die, it is a graveyard of empires. This moniker has been cited so many times and for so long that it’s unclear who first said it. Even the Afghan community will recite this pride. But what a title like this fails to convey is that while this might be a country responsible for the many tombstones of others, it very well is also a moratorium of progress for itself, a state in perpetual arrested development. This is also a cemetery for countless Afghans who, in more modern times, failed to see any empire rise. Why do some countries get to debate their histories while others have their legacy determined by outsiders? And what gets lost along the way? This is Part II of a multi-part story on how history, current events, and culture all complicate the Afghan identity.  Show Notes: [00:30] “The Layers of Heaven” by Jovica [00:45] The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini [00:50] The Br

"You've got boys flying kites again..." —George W. Bush About: Oh, the privilege.  And what a privilege it is to publish a story about the broader theme of culture and identity, specifically for Afghanistan’s diaspora living in the States, like those on that third-culture-wave, when Afghans from the home country are left dealing with far harsher realities. The diaspora’s dilemma pales in comparison (if you’re that foolish to try and compare the two) to their dilemma. No less, it is still a dilemma. With that in mind, Part I of this multi-part story dives into that nebulous question...what does it really mean to be Afghan? Really, what does it mean to be from anywhere? This is a tricky one. Show Notes   [00:45] “The Layers of Heaven” by Jovica [02:15] “I Know A Way Through” by Phillip Ayers [03:30] “Afghan National Anthem” [06:05] 2010 Census data on the number of Afghans in America  Related: Some of the other largest ethnic groups in America Related: Light reading on Dearborn, Mich. Related: Light readi

This is a prologue to a multi-part series about the Afghan diaspora in America reclaiming their past and trying to grow from the present. It’s a story about culture, identity and authenticity. Show Notes: [00:30] “The Layers of Heaven” by Jovica [00:55] Hit rewind. (freesound.org / cognitu perceptu) [01:00] “Our Son the Potter” by The Blue Dot Sessions [01:10] When LeBron James threw up his arms at J.R. Smith [01:20] The hit song of Summer 2017 [01:30] Why the Game of Thrones finale was awful The teaser to Season 7 for old times sakes [01:45] Brigette Gabriel’s call to “protest” More on Brigette Gabriel [02:10] The Southern Poverty Law Center’s take on ACT for America [02:15] Saturday, June 10, 2017, “anti-sharia protests” take place across the country [03:15] Dispatch from an “anti-sharia protest” in Santa Clara, Calif. (h/t @SarRavani) [06:25] More on the 2017 Portland train incident Related: The Story of a Hate Crime [06:40] The surge of hate crimes that followed shortly after the 2016 e

Quote: "We are all from Allah, and to Allah we return" —Surah Al-Baqarah, Verse 156 About: In mere weeks, this country has seen COVID-19-related deaths rise past casualty totals for past wars and surprise attacks, sometimes passing those records daily. It seems like every day is filled with death. But this isn’t the first time humanity has faced a pandemic. And this isn’t the first time society has reckoned with death. Is this a punishment? Or is God to blame? In this latest podcast episode, we turn to the past for guidance on how to deal with our present—and it too is a trip. Show Notes: [00:30] More on “The Layers of Heaven” by Jovica [00:45] Al-Mulk, verses 1-6 [02:00] Al-Baqarah, verses 155-56 [02:20] Light reading on the term nafs  As described by Oxford Islamic Studies Online More light reading A short talk on the subject [04:10] “Keffel” by The Blue Dot Sessions [04:20] Related: a list of other common arabic phrases [05:10] More on David Sloane | (@dcsloane53) And his book, Is the Cemetery Dea

Quote: “Nobody wants to destroy the image of San Francisco.” —James Baldwin About: Whereas Part One looks into the origin of San Francisco’s F-word, and Part Two looks at the buildup and fallout of urban renewal in neighborhoods like Bayview-Hunters Point, Part Three looks at a far more sinister force and questions just how liberal and progressive this city really is. Show Notes: [00:30] “The Layers of Heaven” by Jovica [01:00] Allston Night Owl by The Blue Dot Sessions [03:00]    Short bio of Lena Miller [04:00] “Rethinking San Francisco’s War on Drugs” (SF Weekly) [04:10] Some background on 94124 [04:15] Health data on Bayview-Hunters Point (San Francisco Department of Health) [05:25] Flashing Runner by The Blue Dot Sessions [06:30] Light reading on Dr. Raymond Tompkins (SF Bayview Newspaper) [10:30] Light reading on Bayview-Hunters Point’s 14-year life expectancy gap (SF Gate) [11:35] Related: A local push for more air monitoring in Bayview-Hunters Point (SF Examiner) [13:05] “Said I Wasn’t Gonna T

Quote: “When I die, I’m dead.” —Eloise Westbrook About: Three horizontal stripes, red, black and green, add color to the streetlights and poles in and around the Bayview-Hunters Point neighborhood of San Francisco. These Pan-African flags are a relatively new addition to the area. They were painted just about a year ago thanks to an initiative spearheaded by the neighborhood's local city supervisor, Malia Cohen. “This is about branding the Bayview neighborhood to honor and pay respect to the decades of contributions that African-Americans have made to the southeast neighborhood and to the city,” she said in a statement. But when compared to what’s going on in the neighborhood, these painted flags inadvertently serve as reminders of what this neighborhood once was and what it now isn’t. This used to be a place where you could be Black and thrive. You could find work and own a home. Now, not so much. In Part II of this story about the term Frisco, we try and find out what happened. Show Notes: [00:35] More on

“The fans just want to know who the fuck the artist is.” —Andre "Herm" Lewis About: For a place that proudly heralds slogans like #BlackLivesMatter, the homes of San Francisco house very few Black people. What’s happened to the African-American community in San Francisco is a much more complex tale than just being pushed out by young and transient up-and-comers. Instead, it involves a deeply-rooted history spread across generations with a comet-sized impact that is still being felt today. And for the sake of this three-part story, it begins with the very polarizing San Francisco nickname: Frisco. In Part I, we explore why some view this term to be as offensive as the F-word and spend some time with those who simply don’t give a fuck. Show Notes: [02:15] “Valantis” by The Blue Dot Sessions [03:30] “Lights” by Journey Lyrics via Genius [04:30] “Frisco” by I.M.P. [05:50] “Lakeside Path” by The Blue Dot Sessions [05:45] “49 square miles surrounded by reality.” —Paul Kantner (San Francisco Magazine) [05:50]

"They always leave when it gets hot in the cafe." —Man counter-protesting protestors   About: Since the turn of the millennium, the percentage of U.S.-based specialty coffee drinking folk, like those who have a cup everyday, has quadrupled. Travel to any major or minor city in the country, and you’ll see an offering of coffees that transcends the uniform Starbucks experience that’s on every block. But the image that reflects after you place a mirror in front of any craft coffee company or cafe is a bit more clear, albeit unsettling. Stare at it long enough and you’ll come across matters like gentrification, the rise of the millennial-inspired yuppie wave and the old act of global economics, power dynamics and capitalism all at play. This podcast episode explores the intricacies of coffee and attempts to answer two simple questions about one very complex drink. What makes specialty coffee special and who is it really for? Show Notes: [00:35] More on Tonya Kuhl [00:45] “Castor Wheel Pivot” by Blue Dot Session

What is this show all about? Learn more at thisissomenoise.com/about.

Quote:  “The devil is always in the details, right?” —Mark Baird   About: If the State of Jefferson ever formed, it’s unlikely Anthony Bourdain would ever travel there for its pizza or burritos. Mark Baird, the “unofficial” leader of the State of Jefferson movement, likes to think they’d be known for their buffalo burgers. Though, he’ll admit, he’s in the minority. Most people behind this movement, he says, would probably prefer beef. Being in the minority is a feeling he’s had for quite some time. Living in Northern California with Baird’s heavy libertarian point-of-view would likely drive most people crazy, and out of the state. But Baird wants to stay. He’d just prefer he was living in a new state, a State of Jefferson. Feeling that he’s had no representation in how Sacramento operates, this semi-retired pilot and former buffalo rancher has spent the past several years convincing thousands of citizens along with cities, counties and mayors to join his grass-roots movement. In Part II of II of this story, w

“Mr. Statham, would you consider giving San Francisco to Hawaii?” —Former Calif. Assemblyman Bill Morrow (Oceanside-R) About: If President Kennedy’s moon-shot set the tone that no challenge was too difficult, Donald Trump’s presidential victory reminds us that anything is possible, even creating a new U.S. state. In Northern California, like the proper north, there’s been a generation of folks who believe the time for 51 is now. And given the state of the current political landscape, now may be their best shot. Far from the reach of Sacramento, they’re living off the dream of a failed 1941 movement to split from the Golden State and live out their ideals in the name of the late president Thomas Jefferson. The first part of this two-part story welcomes you to the State of Jefferson. It’s an episode that dives into some of the history, the people, and most importantly, the reasons why thousands of ranchers, farmers and folks from Northern California passionately want nothing more than to leave. Show Notes:  [0

“Thank you Mr. Machine...or Ms. Machine?” —John Zerzan About: What does one make of our future—like the one 50 years from now? The answer, or rather a possible answer, has a lot to do with choice and technology. Whether we survive or go extinct is, however, another question. Show Notes: [01:20] A link to download the Park Mobile app [01:25] “Inamorata (Marimba Solo)” by Blue Dot Sessions [04:40] “Inside the Tower” by Visager [06:15] More on Clooneys Pub (SFGate) [06:40] Light reading on the James Comey hearings (CNN) [07:50] More on Peter Eckersley (Electronic Frontier Foundation) [08:20] Light reading on the latest allegations of Russian interference in the 2016 US Election (The New York Times) [09:40] “When in the West” by Blue Dot Sessions [09:45] Light reading on: The abacus (Ryerson University) The astrolabe (Smithsonian Magazine) The sundial (How Stuff Works) The analytical engine (ThoughtCo) And a worthwhile video on Charles Babbage And this Crash Course series on the history of computing i

"I am not the 'Boont' God." —Rod DeWitt About: With wave after wave of socioeconomic changes crashing into the Anderson Valley, a quiet and historically agrarian area, the lifestyle that gave rise to Boontling is quickly fading away. The fate and the future of the kitschy tongue lies solely in how the community comes to terms with market forces, the environment and, most importantly, its values.   Show Notes: [00:20] “Gymnopedies 2” by Blue Dot Sessions [01:10] Map of the Anderson Valley (SF Gate) [02:20] A list of some boontling terms Part I Part II [03:15] See more context here: [04:15] More on John Frati and Frati Horn (avwines.com) [05:25] “Veins of Coal” performed by Richie Stearns [06:45] Bruce Anderson response to Ep. 016 (The Anderson Valley Advertiser) [07:00] Instances of published satire gone awry [07:05] More light reading about the Anderson Valley Advertiser (Newsweek) [08:40] Light reading on David Severn’s time as publisher of The AVA (Editor & Publisher) [09:10] More on the “Redwo

“They’re living too fast.” —Wes ‘Deacon’ Smoot About: It used to be that you could grow apples, herd sheep, or fell timber and make a decent living in the Anderson Valley. But not even the few stop signs in this remote valley could slow down the incoming cash crop of grapes. The area’s long legacy of logging now takes a backseat to its newer reputation of producing some of the world’s best pinot noir. But how did a tucked-away valley 40 minutes from the Pacific Coast and the main highway all of a sudden become a major wine destination? And what toll did this have on a fractured community just reeling from the Redwood Summer days? And what does it mean for the future of the town's famous frontier language called Boontling? Show Notes:  [00:30] “Curious Case” by Blue Dot Sessions [01:15] Map of the Anderson Valley [03:25] Press clippings about Anderson Valley: Sunset Magazine The New York Times The Wall Street Journal Travel+Leisure Gourmet [03:50] For more on Boontling, see Episode 16 [04:20] Rueben

  “And I think it saved the day, because we didn't have any money.” —Captain Rainbow     About: No place has tested the currents of change more than the Anderson Valley, a Gaza Strip-sized setting hidden in the hills of Northern California. Home to the language of Boontling, a fast fading past prose of the old frontier, the fate of the area’s kitschy tongue relies not on whether the valley will change, but how. And why.   Show Notes: [00:40] “Curious” by Blue Dot Sessions Related: A short video profile of O’Kane busking in New York City [03:10] “Time” by Morgan O’Kane [04:30] Light reading on Wes Smoot (The Anderson Valley Advertiser) [05:35] An alternate definition for the origin of the “buckey walter” [06:00] “Town Market” by Blue Dot Sessions [06:20]  Light reading on the discovery of the Anderson Valley And a step back (Walt Wines) [06:30] A close look at where valley is located (Cleveland State University) [07:05] Boontling: An American Lingo by Charles C. Adams ...in The Atlas Obscura ...i

Quote: “I think intelligence in the universe is very rare.” —Dr. James Rice, NASA, Mars Exploration Rover Geology Team Leader   About: 2017, let’s start anew! Let’s just pack up, say our goodbyes and march (drive, fly or sail) to greener pastures. But where to? Canada is cold around this time of year, Europe is in limbo, and everywhere else has spotty Wi-Fi (it doesn’t). The globalized world where opportunity was meant to be infinite is really just flawed and finite like everything else. And it’s somewhat daunting to think, this is it. But for some folks, the answer to humanity’s woes is simply a matter of looking up and towards Mars.   For what it’s worth, there’s no Comcast on Mars, so the Wi-Fi can’t be too bad. Show Notes: [00:45] “Smooth Stone” by Blue Dot Sessions [03:25] Canada’s Immigration Website Goes Down After Election Day (NPR) [07:25] Dr. Robert Zubrin (@robert_zubrin) [07:25] The Mars Society [07:50] “Tanguedo” by Blue Dot Sessions [08:05] Light reading on Sputnik [08:40] “Katyusha” by Red

“Any true Americans over here?” -Michael, a man from Boston with a sign   About: Amidst all the chaos that has been the 2016 presidential election, there is a special group of Americans fighting against the mainstream current—the Trump minority, like actual minorities voting for Trump. On this episode, we travel the country and talk to some of those individuals and ask why?     Show Notes: [00:30] The Village of the Appomattox Courthouse [01:35] More on Patrick Schroeder [02:00] Light reading on the election of 1860 [02:10] “Thread of Clouds” by Blue Dot Sessions [03:00] Bernie Sanders on Clinton Emails (CNN) [03:10] Jeb Bush asking an audience to clap (CNN) [03:20] Lincoln Chafee on the metric system (CSPAN) [03:30] Moments from the 10th 2016 Republican Primary Debate (CNN) [03:45] HIllary Clinton on Trump supporters (AP) [03:55] The rise and fall of Ken Bone (Newsy and Salon) [04:00] Trump’s comments to Billy Bush (The Washington Post) [04:20] Clashes between pro and anti-Trump protesters (AP) [04:35] P

"And then they came for me." -Sabri Benkahla When it comes to the conversation of Islam in America, it can sometimes feel like having a debate where both parties talk over one another, dive into the shallow end of the topic and leave thinking they’ve proved their points—trophies for all. This self-perpetuating social filter bubble of sorts absolves accountability and fogs up facts—it clouds up the reality of what many Muslim communities in America have actually gone through and are going through. No place has had it worse than Dar Al-Hijrah, a northern Virginia mosque that sits right outside the nation’s capital. First there was peace. Then there was 9/11. And then there was terror. This is the story of how one mosque and its community has spent the past 15 years at the intersection of faith, terrorism and liberty. Show Notes: [02:25] Fort Hood shooting coverage (ABC News) [02:30] Explosions at the Boston Marathon (The Boston Globe) [02:30] Boston Marathon bombing coverage (WBZ TV) [02:40] Chattanooga shoo