In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “Scourge of Slavery.”

After checking in on their respective Sober October challenges, the boys use a recent podcast debate between colorful figures to launch a discussion about SECRET SOCIETIES’ omnipresence throughout human history. That leads to broader speculation about UAP disclosure and the trustworthiness of government whistleblowers. Finally, Nate reacts to a WSJ article about the bizarre tendency of major market collapses to occur in the month of October.

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “False Dichotomy.”

All eyes on New England this week as an early fall Nor’easter blows through, cancelling Ed Sheeran concerts and relocating Red Sox games. The boys make their Sober October pledges for 2026 before remarking on the masking policy at a Western Massachusetts lesbian bar. Finally, the lads turn their attention the the Susan Collin’s corruption sandal roiling Maine politics—along with the DC party bosses neutering the Troy Jackson campaign. Finally, Brian floats a theory the AI could be the long-prophesied return of Christ.

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “History of Mystery.”

The boys review their experience on the Rush concert tour, before remembering fallen podcast hero “Bald” Bryan Bishop. Then, they turn their situation to the inflation wreaking havoc in bond markets, where yields on the 10-year note remain above 5% despite the Fed intervention. The lads next turn their attention to the recent Ed Sheeran concert controversy. That blossoms into a broader discussion about “horseshoe” theory, where the interests of the political left and right converge.

In this System Failure Short, Nate reads this week’s audio essay entitled “First Black Friday.”

Plagued by tech issues, the boys nonetheless begin by acknowledging some exciting enhancements to the System Failure newsletter. Next, Brian reflects on liabilities of the strident discourse which is consuming our society. They make an attempt to be more even-handed as they discuss that news that the Israeli Prime Minister ignored repeated warnings about the October 7th attacks. Finally, Nate dives into the looming catastrophe in bond and energy markets that’s coming at the same time that the world wakes up to the serious threat posed by AI.