620: Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals: Smart Politics or Permanent Agitation?

The boys drink and review Sierra Nevada's Torpedo Extra IPA, then move on to political strategy and methods. Saul Alinsky's Rules for Radicals remains one of the most influential—and controversial—books on political organizing ever written. In this episode, Pigweed and Crowhill dive into the life and ideas of the Chicago community organizer whose methods have shaped activist movements for generations. From "pick the target" and "keep the pressure on" to the strategic use of ridicule, disruption, and media attention, they unpack Alinsky's famous tactics and examine why they continue to be effective decades after they were first developed.But the conversation goes beyond a simple review of organizing techniques. Are these tactics merely practical tools that can be used by anyone seeking political change, or do they encourage a permanent culture of conflict? Why do modern movements always seem to be searching for the next crisis, the next injustice, or the next cause? Pigweed and Crowhill explore whether activism has become less about solving problems and more about sustaining a mindset of perpetual agitation.Along the way, they discuss Barack Obama's background as a community organizer, Hillary Clinton's connection to Alinsky, Ben Shapiro's surprising praise for some of Alinsky's methods, and the broader question of how political narratives are created, amplified, and maintained. Whether you see Alinsky as a champion of the powerless, a master strategist, or something more troubling, his influence on modern politics is impossible to ignore.📬 Send us your thoughts: [email protected] 🌐 More episodes: pigweedandcrowhill.com👍 Like, subscribe, and tell a friend