Bad Fish on the Dashboard | Ruminant

Jonah Goldberg opens The Remnant with a candid reflection on the challenges of modern urban life, including his recent struggle to secure a private office at AEI due to space constraints and the increasingly complex access systems involving key fobs and RFID chips. He humorously laments the loss of privacy and autonomy, comparing his office to a Hannibal Lecter cell, while also expressing frustration with the performative anxiety of corporate environments. The episode then pivots to a sharp critique of media coverage, particularly NPR’s handling of recent Supreme Court decisions on mifepristone and Louisiana’s voting rights gerrymandering case. Goldberg condemns the lack of critical questioning by hosts like Kristen Welker and the tendency of commentators to equate dissent with racism or extremism, arguing that such rhetoric undermines meaningful discourse. He also challenges the narrative that conservative justices are mere political pawns, pointing out the inconsistency in accusing Alito and Thomas of ideological extremism when they oppose politically convenient outcomes. The episode concludes with a celebration of the launch of The Solo, a paywalled subscription tier for The Dispatch, which received overwhelming support from listeners, including a surge in lifetime memberships. Goldberg shares heartfelt testimonials from subscribers who appreciate the intellectual rigor and moral clarity of the show.