Programmed to Chill Jimmy Falun Gong

[originally published on Patreon Sep 8, 2023]



Today I'm joined by Dani and Rodolfo to discuss three Bolaño novels: the Third Reich, Distant Star, and By Night in Chile. In this episode, we discuss By Night in Chile. In this novel, Bolaño examines the fascist mindset via religion and literary criticism. Along the way, we get into how Bolaño was completely gladiopilled. 



episode art by Robert Voyvodich @r.voy__



Songs:

La Rabia by Bbs Paranoicos

Las Injusticias Caen Como Pesadillas EP by Los Crudos

el Pueblo Unido performed by Inti-Illimani

[originally published on Patreon Aug 25, 2023]



Today I'm joined by Dani and Rodolfo to discuss three Bolaño novels: the Third Reich, Distant Star, and By Night in Chile. In this episode, we discuss Distant Star. In this novel, Bolaño examines the fascist mindset via the specifically Chilean context of the 1973 coup, Pinochet's Chile, death squads, and the New Chilean poetry.



Note: although this may just be Bolaño's literary invention, there was a skywriter present during the PBSUCCESS invasion in Guatemala, though he was not a poet (or serial killer) but a used car salesman from the US.



episode art by Robert Voyvodich @r.voy__



Songs:

Luchar y Vencer - FSLN Song

Alerta Antifascista by Sin Dios

Manifiesto by Victor Jara

[originally published on Patreon Aug 25, 2023]


Today I'm joined by Dani and Rodolfo to discuss three Bolaño novels: the Third Reich, Distant Star, and By Night in Chile. In this episode, we reintroduce Bolaño and then dive into a less-discussed work, the Third Reich. In this novel, Bolaño examines the fascist mindset via its historical ideology of Nazism mediated through tabletop wargames and the LARPing that ensues. Along the way, we talk about why Germans are like that and get into the tragic tale of Latin American history.



episode art by Robert Voyvodich @r.voy__



Songs:

Un Amor Violento by Los Tres

Dejate Caer by Los Tres

[originally published on Patreon Aug 18, 2023]


The heists will continue until morale improves. We finish the story of José Vigoa by following the rest of his heist career. Then we discuss the circumstances surrounding his arrest and imprisonment, the discovery of his Spetsnaz commando background, and some of his purported intelligence activities post-arrest.



This brings us to the topic of Cuban intelligence operations in the US, which in turns requires us to discuss the one source for this story - John Huddy. As it turns out, that's a very interesting story, too.



episode art by Robert Voyvodich @r.voy__



Songs:

the Bank Robbery by John Carpenter

Confrontation by Tangerine Dream

Igneous by Tangerine Dream

[originally published on Patreon Aug 16, 2023]



I discuss how José Vigoa became a drug kingpin in Las Vegas. I get into some of the particulars on why he ran a very unique, specialized operation, and the anomalous way in which he got busted. Then, the heist spree begins, culminating with the Mandalay Bay job. 



episode art by Robert Voyvodich @r.voy__



Songs:

Ten Crack Commandments instrumental

Scrap Yard by Tangerine Dream

Assault on Precinct 13 theme by John Carpenter

[originally published on Patreon Aug 10, 2023]



Today I discuss the seminal 1995 film Heat, it's plot, the "dudes rock" factor, and the philosophical themes of the film. 



Then I discuss a real-life parallel to the de Niro character from the film. Not the actual real-life Chicago criminal Neil McCauley, but the story of José Vigoa. Vigoa was many things: a Cuban, a commando. a Marielito, a drug kingpin, a family man, and a heist man. There are two more episodes so prepare for some twists and turns.



episode art by Robert Voyvodich @r.voy__



Songs:

An Ending (Ascent) by Brian Eno

a clip of Cantares de Navidad by Trio Vegabajeño y Bad Bunny

A New Morning by Eirik Suhrke