Air Date: 8-16-2026

Today we look at what Toni Morrison called "sanctioned ignorance," the deliberate manufacture of a version of the past that keeps citizens from connecting the dots between what their government did then and what it's doing now. They're doing it by attacking museums, libraries, and everyone dedicated to ensuring that people have access to accurate information because that's what it takes to implement authoritarian control over a society. It's also the reason that countries under authoritarian rule suffer from the lack of benefits that comes with the free exchange of ideas.

Direct Download

Transcript

Be part of the show! Leave a voice message, message us on Signal at the handle bestoftheleft.01, or email [email protected]

BestOfTheLeft.com/Support (Members Get Bonus Shows + No Ads!)

Use our links to shop Bookshop.org and Libro.fm for a non-evil book and audiobook purchasing experience!

Join our Discord community!

TOP TAKES

KP 1: David Blight Makes Opening Statement in Hearing on How Smithsonian Presents History - PBS Newshour - Air Date 7-21-26

KP 2: Trying to Rewrite History - Letters From an American - Air Date 7-28-26

KP 3: Trump Orders Signs at Smithsonian Museum Warning of 'Inaccurate' History - Thom Hartmann Program - Air Date 7-30-26

KP 4: Rebecca Nagle on the Boomerang of Empire Part 1 - The Intercept Briefing - Air Date 7-11-26

KP 5: Right-Wing Attacks on Small-Town Libraries; Plus The Snow Leopard Part 1 - Start Making Sense - Air Date 8-17-23

KP 6: Free Speech for Me, but Not for Thee. Plus, Librarians Under Siege. - On the Media - Air Date 9-19-25

KP 7: Why Libraries Matter in a Fascist Moment Part 1 - Movement Memos - Air Date 3-19-26

(00:57:23) NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

Why Authoritarians Always Create a Brain Drain That Leaves Their Country Intellectually Impoverished

My commentaries on YouTube - Share them!

DEEPER DIVES

(01:08:29) SECTION A: THE CRACKDOWN

A1: What Is the Smithsonian - Civics 101 - Air Date 6-25-24

A2: 'If You Can Keep It' The Smithsonian Part 1 - 1A - Air Date 8-18-25

A3: Trumps Assault on Museums and Libraries, the Art Markets 12% Fall, Evie Hone and Mainie Jellett Part 1 - The Week in Art - Air Date 4-10-25

A4: 'If You Can Keep It' The Smithsonian Part 2 - 1A - Air Date 8-18-25

A5: Trumps Assault on Museums and Libraries, the Art Markets 12% Fall, Evie Hone and Mainie Jellett Part 2 - The Week in Art - Air Date 4-10-25

(01:47:35) SECTION B: HISTORIANS PUSH BACK

B1: Historian Douglas Brinkley on MAGA-fying the Smithsonian Part 1 - Brian Lehrer A Daily Podcast - Air Date 8-21-25

B2: Trumps Renewed War, More ICE Killings, and Teaching American History - Start Making Sense - Air Date 7-15-26

B3: Historian Douglas Brinkley on MAGA-fying the Smithsonian Part 2 - Brian Lehrer A Daily Podcast - Air Date 8-21-25

(02:13:02) SECTION C: LIBRARIES UNDER SIEGE

C1: From Budget Cuts to Book Bans — The Decades-Long Assault on Public Libraries Part 1 - Citations Needed - Air Date 3-29-23

C2: Why Libraries Matter in a Fascist Moment Part 2 - Movement Memos - Air Date 3-19-26

C3: From Budget Cuts to Book Bans — The Decades-Long Assault on Public Libraries Part 2 - Citations Needed - Air Date 3-29-23

C4: Right-Wing Attacks on Small-Town Libraries; Plus The Snow Leopard Part 2 - Start Making Sense - Air Date 8-17-23

(02:44:58) SECTION D: THE LONGER ARC - EMPIRE, IDEOLOGY, AND THE WORLD'S VIEW

D1: The US Struggles with History, Stephen Friedman Gallery Closes, Tudor Heart Pendant Acquired by the British Museum - The Week in Art - Air Date 2-12-26

D2: Museum Responses to Fascism (or Not) Part 1 - The Modern Art Notes Podcast - Air Date 8-6-26

D3: Museum Responses to Fascism (or Not) Part 2 - The Modern Art Notes Podcast - Air Date 8-6-26

D4: Rebecca Nagle on the Boomerang of Empire Part 2 - The Intercept Briefing - Air Date 7-11-26

Produced by Jay! Tomlinson

Visit us at BestOfTheLeft.com

Listen Anywhere! BestOfTheLeft.com/Listen

Follow BotL: Bluesky | Mastodon | Threads | X

Like at Facebook.com/BestOfTheLeft

Contact me directly at [email protected]