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:
fake climate solutions:
- green capitalism
- carbon offsets
- billionaire-backed techno-fixes
real climate solutions:
- buying less stuff
- $ into public transit
- community-owned energy
- degrowth in rich nations
- land back
- green capitalism
- carbon offsets
- billionaire-backed techno-fixes
real climate solutions:
- buying less stuff
- $ into public transit
- community-owned energy
- degrowth in rich nations
- land back
November 22, 2025 at 5:09 PM
fake climate solutions:
- green capitalism
- carbon offsets
- billionaire-backed techno-fixes
real climate solutions:
- buying less stuff
- $ into public transit
- community-owned energy
- degrowth in rich nations
- land back
- green capitalism
- carbon offsets
- billionaire-backed techno-fixes
real climate solutions:
- buying less stuff
- $ into public transit
- community-owned energy
- degrowth in rich nations
- land back
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…
Reposted by michael mezzatesta
My morning podcast listen today was @michaelmezz.bsky.social and @graceblakeley.substack.com in conversation on BETTER FUTURE.
It was very cogent discussion of how wealthy people use power & money to control and curate an economic system designed for exploitation.
Includes important examples.
It was very cogent discussion of how wealthy people use power & money to control and curate an economic system designed for exploitation.
Includes important examples.
How Elites Captured Capitalism | Grace Blakeley on Power & Inequality (Better Future 005)
YouTube video by Michael Mezzatesta
youtu.be
October 31, 2025 at 1:56 PM
My morning podcast listen today was @michaelmezz.bsky.social and @graceblakeley.substack.com in conversation on BETTER FUTURE.
It was very cogent discussion of how wealthy people use power & money to control and curate an economic system designed for exploitation.
Includes important examples.
It was very cogent discussion of how wealthy people use power & money to control and curate an economic system designed for exploitation.
Includes important examples.
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
Reposted by michael mezzatesta
notes on gatesnotes, in a thread
"A new way to look at the problem" - er, no, he's been running this line for DECADES
On the headline: you can absolutely guarantee anyone presenting themselves as telling tough, hard truths is about to deliver some self-aggrandising nonsense
"A new way to look at the problem" - er, no, he's been running this line for DECADES
On the headline: you can absolutely guarantee anyone presenting themselves as telling tough, hard truths is about to deliver some self-aggrandising nonsense
October 29, 2025 at 7:34 PM
notes on gatesnotes, in a thread
"A new way to look at the problem" - er, no, he's been running this line for DECADES
On the headline: you can absolutely guarantee anyone presenting themselves as telling tough, hard truths is about to deliver some self-aggrandising nonsense
"A new way to look at the problem" - er, no, he's been running this line for DECADES
On the headline: you can absolutely guarantee anyone presenting themselves as telling tough, hard truths is about to deliver some self-aggrandising nonsense
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:
super excited to share my new podcast episode with @graceblakeley.substack.com ‼️
we dig into the history of capitalism, the ways corporations and states work together to protect their power, and what the rest of us can do about it.
we dig into the history of capitalism, the ways corporations and states work together to protect their power, and what the rest of us can do about it.
Why Capitalism Only Works for Elites | Grace Blakeley on Power & Inequality (Better Future 005)
YouTube video by Michael Mezzatesta
www.youtube.com
October 22, 2025 at 7:50 PM
super excited to share my new podcast episode with @graceblakeley.substack.com ‼️
we dig into the history of capitalism, the ways corporations and states work together to protect their power, and what the rest of us can do about it.
we dig into the history of capitalism, the ways corporations and states work together to protect their power, and what the rest of us can do about it.
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.
Mamdani: “we want to showcase our ideals, not by lecturing people about how correct we are, but rather delivering and letting that delivery be the argument itself.”
👆 important reminder for all socialists
👆 important reminder for all socialists
October 11, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Mamdani: “we want to showcase our ideals, not by lecturing people about how correct we are, but rather delivering and letting that delivery be the argument itself.”
👆 important reminder for all socialists
👆 important reminder for all socialists
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.
oft-cited “benefits of capitalism” – lower poverty, better healthcare, higher standards of living – aren’t consequences of capitalism.
they were concessions won from capital won by organized workers.
capital extracts profit.
labor wins rights.
they were concessions won from capital won by organized workers.
capital extracts profit.
labor wins rights.
September 2, 2025 at 6:30 PM
oft-cited “benefits of capitalism” – lower poverty, better healthcare, higher standards of living – aren’t consequences of capitalism.
they were concessions won from capital won by organized workers.
capital extracts profit.
labor wins rights.
they were concessions won from capital won by organized workers.
capital extracts profit.
labor wins rights.
friendly reminder that US politicians chose to put Labor Day in September to prevent international working class solidarity (most of the world celebrates May Day on May 1st)
September 1, 2025 at 7:29 PM
friendly reminder that US politicians chose to put Labor Day in September to prevent international working class solidarity (most of the world celebrates May Day on May 1st)
truths that people defending modern neoliberal capitalism fail to accept:
1. the cost of living is going up - this will continue.
2. the capitalist growth imperative is causing climate change.
3. the vast majority of the benefits of growth are going to a very small % of the population
1. the cost of living is going up - this will continue.
2. the capitalist growth imperative is causing climate change.
3. the vast majority of the benefits of growth are going to a very small % of the population
August 23, 2025 at 8:23 PM
truths that people defending modern neoliberal capitalism fail to accept:
1. the cost of living is going up - this will continue.
2. the capitalist growth imperative is causing climate change.
3. the vast majority of the benefits of growth are going to a very small % of the population
1. the cost of living is going up - this will continue.
2. the capitalist growth imperative is causing climate change.
3. the vast majority of the benefits of growth are going to a very small % of the population
Reposted by michael mezzatesta
Freedom is not an acceptable idea.
Toma ya.
Toma ya.
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 22, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Freedom is not an acceptable idea.
Toma ya.
Toma ya.
Reposted by michael mezzatesta
Highly recommended 👇
for a discussion of capitalist imperialism and how to fight it, watch the full episode:
youtu.be/MU1QdQsjGpM
youtu.be/MU1QdQsjGpM
Why Capitalism Can’t Save Us | Jason Hickel on Climate, AI & Empire (Better Future 003)
YouTube video by Michael Mezzatesta
youtu.be
August 20, 2025 at 9:51 AM
Highly recommended 👇
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: