In which we engage the following theses:

(1) the ruling class benefits from illiteracy.

(2) short-form video entertains more than it sticks.

(3) reading is a discipline distinct from listening, watching, or other forms of literacy. It’s a skill that needs to be honed separately.

(4) Absolutely no one comes to save us but us.

Full and accurate transcript available at ismatu.substack.com. Thank you for listening <3

Jazz of the Episode:

The Jordan River Song x Emahoy Tsege Mariam Gebru

Lena’s Song x The Sweet Enoughs

Sunset and the Mocking Bird x Duke Ellington

Abusey Junction x Kokoroko

Udo x The Cavemen.

Muziqa heywete x Getatchew Mekurya

Mogoya x Oumou Sangaré

Drume Negrita x Andy Bey

Tony x Larry Morezo, Dennis Tini

Melancholia x Wynton Marsalis

Spring Yaounde x Wynton Marsalis