Jay Leal Blog
All Articles
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All Articles 〰️
How we learned to believe the US military
From Hollywood blockbusters to video games, research shows how Pentagon partnerships shape the stories we watch—and the narratives we internalize about war.
Ecocide Is the Word We’re Avoiding
What do we call the deliberate destruction of land, water, and infrastructure during war? The term “ecocide” has circulated for decades in legal debates, but it is not yet codified as an international crime. As environmental data from Gaza mounts, the question is no longer abstract. It is structural.
We Are Not Insane
A reflection on propaganda, militarism, and the political vacuum shaping modern discours, sparked by Abby Martin’s documentary Earth’s Greatest Enemy.
Forever chemicals in your water: What can actually fix it?
We already have the knowledge and tools to address PFAS contamination. What’s missing is urgency and accountability.
Rethinking the $968 Billion the U.S. Spent on War in 2024
In 2024, the United States allocated a staggering $886 billion to defense. That’s more than China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea combined—with China, the next highest spender, trailing by over $300 billion.
What do we call the deliberate destruction of land, water, and infrastructure during war? The term “ecocide” has circulated for decades in legal debates, but it is not yet codified as an international crime. As environmental data from Gaza mounts, the question is no longer abstract. It is structural.