Defector
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It’s Hard To Be A Rich Radical
In this edition of Listening Habits, the author riff‑riffs on the obsession with marathon‑length media—four‑hour YouTube essays on Killer Mike, six‑hour Jay‑Z/Rick Rubin talks, and even a three‑hour Elizabeth Holmes documentary. He questions why anyone would produce such sprawling content, linking it to the work of FD Signifier, Jared A. Ball, and their book The Myth and Propaganda of Black Buying Power, while weaving in black leftist politics and anticapitalist critique. The piece uses humor to explore how cultural figures like Killer Mike become lightning rods for debate within activist circles.
Vivek Ramaswamy Is Going After The Abusive Parent Vote
The article argues that Vivek Ramaswamy is targeting the so‑called “abusive parent” voter bloc, positioning himself alongside the reactionary tactics popularized by Donald Trump. It contends that Ramaswamy’s appeal stems from a shared willingness to embrace overt, uncouth rhetoric rather than subtle political code, portraying him as a figure driven by narcissism and resentment. While the piece is rooted in political analysis rather than sports, it highlights how this voter segment could amplify Ramaswamy’s influence in upcoming elections.
Aaron Sorkin Wants To Pretend The Good Guys Won
The Defector piece traces Aaron Sorkin's fraught early encounters with online fans, starting with his 2000 “Benjamin” posts on Television Without Pity and the ensuing forum fights over an Emmy speech. Those experiences echo in his shows—West Wing’s meta‑forum episode, Studio 60’s internet‑driven chaos, and The Newsroom’s critique of sites like Gawker and Twitter. The article then links Sorkin’s 2010 film The Social Network, co‑directed with David Fincher, to today’s reality, arguing that his once‑dismissed tech skepticism now feels prophetic, prompting Sorkin to claim a “victory lap.”
Ottawa Vs. Brady Tkachuk Was Fantastic Theater
The piece dissects the polarized reaction to Brady Tkachuk’s return to Ottawa on Oct. 22, 2026, framing it as a bitter love‑hate saga. After seven seasons with the Senators, Tkachuk left for Florida, sparking fan resentment rooted in Ottawa’s long‑standing struggles, ownership woes, and playoff drought. The author paints Tkachuk as a classic “heel,” noting his outspoken departure on a Team USA group chat and a podcast with his family, and his role as a symbolic U.S. foil to Canadian hockey. The article explores why fans simultaneously love and condemn their hometown star.
The Dream Are Making Bully Ball Literal
In Game 3 of the WNBA Finals, the Atlanta Dream dominate the Golden State Valkyries 97-71, exposing a key matchup issue for Golden State. Angel Reese scores early but is repeatedly blocked by Kiah Stokes; once Stokes exits for Aminata Gueye, Reese erupts with buckets and fouls. The article highlights how the Valkyries’ deep 10‑player rotation, designed for rest and versatility, struggles against the Dream’s smaller seven‑player rotation that maximizes matchup advantages. The piece argues that roster depth can hinder optimal line‑up decisions in high‑stakes playoff games.
BioWare Becomes First Major Casualty Of Saudi Arabia’s EA Takeover
EA’s recent takeover by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund has led to the shutdown of BioWare, the studio behind franchises like Mass Effect, Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic, and Dragon Age. Bloomberg’s Jason Schreier reported the closure on Wednesday, and BioWare confirmed the decision in a statement. The move underscores concerns that the Saudi investment could further damage EA’s reputation and creative output.
Robert Saleh Says Jordan Elliott Needs Help, Not Condemnation
Titans defensive tackle Jordan Elliott, who was inactive and absent from Sunday’s game, is now released after a locker‑room incident. Coach Robert Saleh said Elliott was “dealing with personal stuff,” but reports reveal Elliott fought offensive tackle JC Latham during practice, left the facility and attempted to retrieve a gun from his car. Defensive lineman John Franklin‑Myers intervened and prevented the weapon from entering the building. The team announced his release on Tuesday, citing the incident but offering few details.
‘Digger’ Is Smug, Cynical, And Perfectly Timed
On May 10, 1968, 40,000 French students clashed with police in Paris’s Latin Quarter, tearing up cobblestones for barricades—a pivotal moment in France’s civil unrest. While the riots raged, the Cannes Film Festival opened with Grace Kelly hosting and a screening of a restored *Gone With the Wind*, prompting criticism that the festival ignored the crisis. By May 18, directors François Truffaut and Jean‑Luc Godard led a protest demanding Cannes shut down, accusing filmmakers of neglecting the student‑worker movement. Godard’s outburst, “You’re assholes!” captured the tension between cinema and activism.
How Do I Stop My Kid From Crashing Out Over Trying New Activities?
Welcome back to Minor Dilemmas , where a member of Defector's Parents Council will answer your questions on surviving family life. Have a question? Email us at [email protected] . This week, Ray answers a question on how to deal with your child's tantrums over trying new activities.
A Review Of All The Stuff That Happened Last NBA Season
In the latest episode of the "Nothing But Respect" podcast, hosts discuss playing basketball together, the ongoing WNBA Finals, Michael Porter Jr.'s new podcasting venture, and a comprehensive recap of the 2025‑26 NBA season—from opening night to the present. They argue that reviewing the season’s key moments offers the best preview for the upcoming year, rather than making predictions. The episode is available on Apple Podcasts and other platforms.
How Much Fire Emblem Is Too Much Fire Emblem?
The author debates buying the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 but ultimately caves, eager to dive into Fire Emblem: Fortune's Weave. After a month, they've logged over 70 hours—far more than typical titles like Final Fantasy Tactics (36 hrs) or World of Warcraft. The game’s deep strategic layers and addictive mechanics dominate their thoughts, even inspiring spreadsheets and fantasies about unit builds. Their enthusiasm, shared through extensive messages with fellow Defectorite Kathryn Xu, underscores how fire‑emblem’s pull can eclipse other long‑play experiences, posing the question of how much is too much.
How The Rams Being 2-4 Relates To The Troy Aikman Saga
Joe Buck and Troy Aoman's reported split—potentially their first divorce—shakes up the long‑standing Monday Night Football booth, leaving a coveted ESPN spot open. The Defector piece links this media drama to the Rams' 2‑4 start, arguing the team's disappointment ties into broader NFL narrative shifts discussed on the latest All Ball episode with Arif Hasan. listeners can explore how the broadcast shake‑up may reflect or influence the Rams' struggles.
Nobody Wants To Talk About Why The Ringer Is Pivoting To Substack
The Ringer has moved top writers—Sean Fennessey, Zach Lowe, Tom Pelissero, and Bryan Curtis—onto Substack newsletters, a puzzling shift given Spotify’s ownership since 2020. The article explores why the media outlet chose an external paywall platform amid declining ad revenue and AI‑driven traffic loss, questioning Spotify’s technical capacity and the future of The Ringer’s editorial hub. Attempts to get answers from the writers, Substack, and Spotify went unanswered, with only a brief non‑committal reply from Spotify’s PR. The piece probes whether Substack is now the primary reading venue for premium sports journalism.
The Pelicans Broke How I Understand Pro Basketball
The New Orleans Pelicans have become a case study in unconventional NBA strategy, highlighted by a bizarre 2025 draft trade where executives Joe Dumars and Troy Weaver gave up an unprotected 2026 first‑round pick to move up ten spots and select the defensively‑challenged big man Derik Queen at No. 13. The forfeited pick, destined to be a top‑three selection for Indiana, landed with the Atlanta Hawks as the eighth overall. The article also delves into the Dumars‑Weaver partnership: both former Detroit front‑office figures now steering New Orleans, with Weaver described as Dumars’s “right arm” after a 74‑244 Pistons record. Readers get a deep look at why the Pelicans' odd decisions are reshaping their identity.
The Guardians Were And Are A Drag
The Cleveland Guardians fall to the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS, ending a season that, despite a decent 46‑63% win rate over 14 years, proved uneven and unremarkable. The loss caps the team's most successful postseason run since their 2016 World Series appearance, but the author deems the Guardians' performance dull, highlighting their lack of power hitting and inconsistent play against a confident, hard‑hitting Rays squad.
Mana Shim Walked Away From Soccer, Then She Rebuilt Her Life
Five years after exposing abusive NWSL coach Paul Riley, former Portland Thorns midfielder Mana Shim reflects on quitting soccer, the league's fallout, and rebuilding her identity. In a candid Try Hard episode, she discusses the risks of speaking out, the mass coach resignations and commissioner Lisa Baird's exit, and how she redefined her life beyond the sport. The piece highlights Shim's resilience and offers insight into the lasting impact of the 2021 scandal on the women's game.
Angel Reese Crafted Her Masterpiece
In a chaotic, mud‑themed Game 2 of the WNBA Finals, Angel Reese shines as the sole offensive force. The Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries combine for a dismal 21‑for‑61 shooting night, but Reese drops 30 points, grabs 16 rebounds and adds two blocks, shooting over 50% and converting 11 free throws. Her dominance forces the Valkyries into the “mud” and silences a hostile San Francisco crowd, making her the unmistakable protagonist of the series.
What’s Your Lamest Daydream?
In this week’s Defector Funbag, substitute writer Drew covers a lively mix of topics—from the latest hockey buzz and baseball updates to quirky cultural riffs on Jane Austen and Steven Spielberg, plus tips on starting to date. He also highlights his new essay collection on "It’s a Wonderful Life," co‑authored with critic Emily St. James, noting it as a perfect holiday gift. Readers are invited to send their questions for future editions.
Some Wins Feel More Like Losses
The Washington Commanders fell to the San Francisco 49ers 23-17 on Monday, a loss the Commanders seemingly prefer over their chaotic 20-20 tie with the Giants in Week 5. The 49ers stay perfect, now one of three unbeaten teams and extend their NFC West lead to three games over the Seattle Seahawks after six weeks. Meanwhile, the NFC East endures a historic slump: all four teams go winless for two straight weeks, the first such streak since the 1970 merger, with only the Giants holding a winning record but a negative point differential. The article explores how a scoreboard win can feel like a loss and vice versa.
‘Barbara Forever’ Won’t Let You Forget
Defector’s review spotlights Brydie O’Connor’s documentary *Barbara Forever*, a vivid tribute to avant‑garde filmmaker Barbara Hammer. The film weaves over 80 years of Hammer’s Super‑8 work—her radical explorations of sex, identity and daily life—into a non‑linear portrait that feels as if Hammer herself narrates from beyond the grave. Featuring match‑cut sequences, handheld interviews and archival footage, the piece traces her feminist awakening, personal transformations and relentless self‑documentation, offering a compelling look at an artist who turned her own life into art.
I Love The Colorful Stars
A new study by astrophysicist Mark Hollands and colleagues, published in RAS Techniques and Instruments, reveals that stars can appear in a kaleidoscope of colors—ranging from hot pink to cucumber‑lime green—when observed from certain planetary perspectives. The breakthrough stems from advanced modeling that moves beyond traditional black‑body radiation, which limits star colors to red, white, or blue based solely on temperature. By accounting for atmospheric and scattering effects, the research shows how unusual hues could naturally arise, challenging long‑standing sci‑fi assumptions about star color.
Rays Clinch Ultimate Thrifter World Series
The Tampa Bay Rays clinch the Ultimate Thrifter World Series with a 3-1 win over the Cleveland Guardians on Oct. 20, 2026. After building a two‑run lead early, Junior Caminero caps the victory with a seventh‑inning solo homer, followed by teammate Yandy Díaz’s decisive blast in the next frame. The game, marked by Cleveland’s depleted bullpen, sees the Rays hold off elimination and secure the championship. The article highlights the dramatic timing of the home runs and the significance of Caminero’s clutch performance.
Sometimes A Team Just Wants To Hire A Famous Guy
After the Colts’ 26-20 home loss to a winless Tennessee Titans, GM Chris Ballard faces mounting pressure to replace head coach Fredo. Owner Carlie Irsay‑Gordon, who’s been scrutinizing the team’s “juju,” reportedly entertained the idea of hiring former star quarterback Peyton Manning—still a beloved Colts icon and frequent insurance ad face—as a possible front‑office replacement. With Ballard’s 72‑82‑1 record and the franchise’s playoff drought since 2020, the article explores the absurd yet viable speculation surrounding Manning’s return to Indianapolis in a managerial role.
World’s Most Normal Goalie: “The Past Is Dead, There’s Nothing For You There”
Backup goalie Devin Cooley endures the Calgary Flames' disastrous start to the 2026 NHL season—just two wins, 37 goals against and a –20 goal differential in eight games. Amid the team’s record‑low performance, Cooley’s stark, nihilistic philosophy—“nothing matters, we’re all going to die”—helps him compartmentalize each save. The article explores how his odd mindset, coupled with a cheerful pet bunny named Tito, lets him thrive where most would crumble.
How Did A Famous, Lying UFC Vet Get Shot Conducting Shadowy Paramilitary Operations In The Congo?
UFC veteran Tim Kennedy is hospitalized at Walter Reed after being shot three times on Oct. 9 while on a covert mission with Erik Prince’s private military firm in the remote highlands of the Democratic Republic of Congo, targeting the Rwandan‑backed M23 rebel group. The incident highlights the volatile mix of elite fighters, mercenary operations, and the mineral‑rich Congo Craton, home to the world’s largest cobalt deposits and vast copper, gold, and tantalum reserves. The article unpacks the tangled web of players and geopolitics surrounding the deadly operation.
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