Podcast Summary: If Books Could Kill – "The Columbia Protests [TEASER]"

Hosts: Michael Hobbes & Peter Shamshiri
Release Date: May 16, 2024
Episode Title: The Columbia Protests [TEASER]
Podcast Description: The airport bestsellers that captured our hearts and ruined our minds

Introduction: Setting the Scene

In this teaser episode of "If Books Could Kill," hosts Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri delve into the escalating student protests at Columbia University. These protests, ignited by Israeli attacks on Gaza, have sparked nationwide discussions about free speech, anti-Semitism, and university policies. The hosts critique the media's handling of these events, highlighting perceived biases and the amplification of fringe incidents.

University’s Response and President Shafiq’s Testimony

Michael initiates the discussion by providing context to the ongoing protests, emphasizing the surge in student activism following the October 7 Hamas attacks. He notes,

"As we are recording, we're in the midst of a surge of student protests at universities across the country. Protests are about the Israeli attacks on Gaza, and more specifically, they are a call on universities to divest from companies and organizations that profit from Israeli war crimes."
[01:35]

Peter commends the podcast’s track record of anticipating moral panics, referencing past topics like retail crime. The conversation swiftly moves to Columbia University’s President, Manouch Shafiq, and her recent testimony before a Republican-controlled House Committee:

"Student protests obviously have been ongoing since October 7... Shafiq appeared before the Republican controlled House Committee on Education and the Workforce in a hearing ostensibly about anti Semitism on Columbia's campus."
[02:12]

Michael criticizes President Shafiq’s approach during the hearing, suggesting she attempted to align too closely with committee members’ positions:

"She was asked about professors who expressed what the committee members felt was support for Hamas attack. One of them, she says, you know, he was fired and he will never teach at Columbia again."
[04:04]

He further mocks the administration’s strategic moves, hinting at a lack of genuine engagement:

"The Executive Committee said that they were not consulted... so it seems pretty clear that she just ignored the policy to bust up this protest as quickly as possible."
[12:19]

Media Coverage and Right-Wing Portrayal

The hosts shift focus to media narratives, particularly criticizing right-wing outlets like Fox News and the New York Post for their extensive and often biased coverage of the protests. Michael highlights the disproportionate number of New York Post articles:

"I would like for you to guess the number of stories in the New York Post between April 18 and the end of the month referencing the Columbia encampment."
[21:11]

Peter humorously predicts the volume, to which Michael reveals:

"The answer is over 150."
[21:36]

They discuss the sensationalist nature of headlines, citing examples that trivialize the protests:

"The protesters are simultaneously professional terrorists and also the privileged children of wealthy elites."
[24:08]

Michael mocks the editorial content, illustrating how conservative media amplifies minor incidents to paint a broader anti-Palestinian narrative:

"George Soros is paying student radicals who are fueling nationwide explosion of Israel hating protests."
[27:05]

Anti-Semitic Incidents and Protester Behavior

A significant portion of the discussion centers on specific incidents that have been highlighted in the media. Michael asserts that many of these reported events lack substantial evidence and are often unverified or exaggerated:

"At this point, there have been no credible allegations of, like, antisemitism or offensive statements or violence from any of these protesters."
[12:25]

However, Peter brings attention to multiple reported incidents, such as derogatory chants and threats, which have been circulated widely:

"One person shouted, go back to Poland, at pro Israel demonstrators. One person held up a sign with an arrow pointed toward pro Israel demonstrators that said al Qassam's next targets."
[17:03]

Michael critiques the media’s selective reporting, noting the absence of coverage on anti-Islamic sentiments from pro-Israel protesters:

"They don't cover any of the racist rhetoric coming from pro Israel protesters. Which is also pretty thoroughly documented on social media that weekend."
[20:16]

Broader Implications and Media Bias

The hosts explore the broader implications of the protests and the media’s role in shaping public perception. Michael argues that media outlets are diverting attention from the humanitarian crisis in Gaza by focusing on campus unrest:

"It's a distraction from something that is like the actual fucking bombing of Gaza is so indefensible."
[19:26]

Peter agrees, emphasizing the skewed narrative that undermines the gravity of the situation in Gaza:

"There's literally children starving. It could not be clearer what the right thing to do is."
[19:26]

They criticize the media’s tendency to vilify entire movements based on isolated incidents, fostering division rather than constructive dialogue.

Conclusion: Final Thoughts and Future Outlook

In wrapping up the episode, Michael and Peter reflect on the potential long-term impact of the protests and media coverage. Michael suggests that the university administration’s handling of the situation could have far-reaching consequences, both for the institution and the broader student activism landscape:

"You could make a pretty coherent argument that, like, Minouche Shafiq is responsible for all of that."
[16:51]

Peter echoes concerns over media biases and the portrayal of protesters, calling for a more balanced and evidence-based approach in reporting:

"This whole time I've just been like, why are we fucking talking about this?"
[18:43]

The hosts advocate for a focus on the underlying issues rather than getting sidetracked by sensationalist and often misleading media narratives.

Notable Quotes

• Michael Hobbes [01:35]:
  "Protests are about the Israeli attacks on Gaza, and more specifically, they are a call on universities to divest from companies and organizations that profit from Israeli war crimes."

• Peter Shamshiri [21:11]:
  "Love it."

• Michael Hobbes [24:08]:
  "The protesters are simultaneously professional terrorists and also the privileged children of wealthy elites."

• Peter Shamshiri [27:05]:
  "George Soros is paying student radicals who are fueling nationwide explosion of Israel hating protests."

• Michael Hobbes [19:26]:
  "It's a distraction from something that is like the actual fucking bombing of Gaza is so indefensible."

Final Thoughts

In this episode, Michael Hobbes and Peter Shamshiri offer a critical examination of the Columbia University protests, underscoring the complexities of student activism, university governance, and media representation. Their analysis challenges listeners to question mainstream narratives and seek a deeper understanding of the events unfolding both on campuses and in conflict zones like Gaza.