Episode Overview

Podcast: The Prof G Pod with Scott Galloway
Episode: No Mercy / No Malice: Strike
Air Date: October 4, 2025
Main Theme:
This episode, read by George Hahn, is an audio rendition of Scott Galloway’s sharp No Mercy / No Malice column, “Strike.” Galloway explores the historical and present-day potency of consumer boycotts in America—contrasting their impact against both government shutdowns and traditional labor strikes. He argues for the unique power of targeted consumer activism as a modern weapon against authoritarianism, particularly in an age where wealth and consumption are highly concentrated.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Government Shutdowns as Ineffective “Strikes”

• Analysis of Shutdowns:
  • Since 1976, there have been 20 funding gaps and 10 shutdowns—effectively economic strikes with minimal political outcome ([02:03]).
  • Quote: “Shutdowns create blame but seldom achieve political goals.”
• Democrats’ Unusual Strategy:
  • Focusing on healthcare subsidies shifts the burden to affect more Republican voters, dividing opposition and highlighting affordability ([02:03]).

2. America’s True Power Dynamic: The Consumer

• Economic Power in the U.S.:
  • Galloway analogizes American reverence for money and CEOs, but underscores, “Consumer spending...accounts for 68% of GDP” ([02:03]).
  • Major economic crises—the Great Recession and the COVID-19 shutdown—were both defined by sharp drops in consumer spending, to which the government responded with unprecedented bailouts.
  • Quote: “When consumers stop spending, American leaders start listening.”
• Geo Husser’s Thesis:
  • Not “seizing the means of production”—seizing the means of consumption.
  • Even a 2% average drop in consumer spending would constitute a formidable protest ([02:03]).

3. Recent Example: Disney Boycott and Trump

• Trigger Event:
  • Disney, after bowing to pressure and suspending Jimmy Kimmel, lost 1.7 million streaming subscribers within a week ([02:03]).
  • Bipartisan celebrity and political pressure, including Ted Cruz and Tucker Carlson, forced Disney CEO Bob Iger to reconsider.
  • Quote: “Disney CEO Bob Iger needed screenshots of people canceling Disney to help him locate his testicles...he is Neville Chamberlain in a cashmere sweater, minus the dignity.”
• Effectiveness of Boycotts:
  • According to Braden King and Sarah Soule’s research: Most boycotts fail to dent sales, but media attention is the main predictor of effectiveness.
  • Trump’s public outbursts ironically spotlighted the boycotters’ cause.
  • Only a tiny percentage of Disney subscribers triggered widespread attention and corporate action.

4. The American Tradition of Boycotts

• Historical Precedents:
  • 1760s American Colonists: Non-importation agreements against British goods as prelude to revolution.
  • Abolitionist Era: The “free produce movement” using consumer choice to attack slavery’s moral legitimacy, even if the economic impact was negligible.
    • Quote from period pamphlet: “If we purchase the commodity, we participate in the crime.”
  • Montgomery Bus Boycott: Sparked by Rosa Parks, 90% participation by Black riders, cost the city $3,000/day, and led to integration following a Supreme Court ruling ([02:03]).
    • Helped launch the national civil rights movement.
• Key Insight:
  • Boycotts serve to create unity, draw moral clarity, and leverage consumer choice as political currency.

5. From 'Weapons of the Weak' to 'Weapons of the Privileged'

• Changing Nature of Consumer Power:
  • Historically, boycotts were “weapons of the weak against the strong.” Now they are “weapons of the privileged against the powerful” ([02:03]).
  • 10% of Americans (the affluent) account for half of all consumer spending, giving outsized leverage to those who can most afford to boycott.
• Strike Math:
  • A 3% reduction in spending from the top 10% could reduce GDP by 1%.

6. General Strikes vs. Targeted Boycotts

• Historical Ineffectiveness:
  • Major general strikes in U.S. history (e.g., 1877, 1919, 1934) ended in bloodshed and change little. General strikes are too diffuse to focus demands ([02:03]).
• Galloway’s Prescription:
  • Instead of unfocused strikes, use targeted consumer boycotts with clear demands against “Trump’s enablers.”
  • Strategy Tips:
    • “Pick an enabler—preferably a brand you actually use.”
    • “Make noise when you cancel; show receipts on social media.”
    • “State a clear demand. Keep going.”
  • Examples:
    • If objecting to corporate capitulation to Trump: Switch allegiance (e.g., cancel Target, join Costco).
    • Worried about Trump’s TikTok deal: Delete your account.

7. Personal Commitment & Closing Rallying Cry

• Galloway’s Commitment:
  • Will use his Disney shares to push for a new board slate excluding Bob Iger, or call for a no-confidence vote.
  • Will avoid doing business with law firms capitulating to Trump.
  • Will divert university donations if institutions cave to Trump's demands.
  • Quote: “Bob Dylan said money doesn’t talk, it swears. Well, fucking enough already.”
• Final Argument:
  • Now that Trump “has seized the means of production,” it’s time for privileged Americans to “seize the means of consumption.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Economic Power:
  “When consumers stop spending, American leaders start listening.” – [02:03], Scott Galloway

• On the Efficacy of Boycotts:
  “The number one predictor of what makes a boycott effective is how much media attention it creates, not how many people sign on to a petition or how many consumers it mobilizes.” – [02:03], citing Braden King

• On Modern Boycotts:
  “Consumer boycotts are weapons of the privileged against the powerful.” – [02:03], Scott Galloway

• Stinging Assessment of Corporate Leadership:
  “Disney CEO Bob Iger needed screenshots of people canceling Disney to help him locate his testicles… At this point, the Disney CEO is Neville Chamberlain in a cashmere sweater, minus the dignity.” – [02:03], Scott Galloway

• Moral Framing (Abolitionist Pamphlet):
  “If we purchase the commodity, we participate in the crime.” – [02:03]

• Call to Arms:
  “You have power and they need your money more than you need their product.” – [02:03], Scott Galloway

• Conclusion:
  “Trump has seized the means of production… Wealthy Americans… need to get our shit, get together and seize the means of consumption.” – [14:43], Scott Galloway

Important Timestamps

• [01:34] – George Hahn introduces and sets theme: consumer power > government power.
• [02:03] – Main narrative kicks off: from government shutdowns to economic worship and consumer might.
• [05:00 – 07:30] – Disney-Jimmy Kimmel boycott story explored.
• [09:00] – U.S. historical boycotts from the 1760s to Montgomery bus boycott.
• [11:30] – Galloway discusses the new reality: affluent consumers hold the strike power.
• [13:00] – Prescribes targeted, high-impact boycotts with clear demands.
• [14:43] – Final call to action: time to seize the means of consumption.

Summary Takeaways

This episode of No Mercy / No Malice offers a provocative case for strategic, consumer-driven activism as the most potent check on authoritarianism in today’s America. Galloway draws acute parallels between past and present, calling for privileged consumers to wield their wallets with purpose and clarity in defense of democratic institutions and values. With history, economic data, and a sharp sense of urgency, he urges listeners not just to complain—but to strike back, specifically and loudly, where it hurts: at the cash register.