Episode S2 · Ep 12 September 22, 2026 1 hr 55 min

Selective Ignorance: Ep. 82 | Rollin', Robots & Raggedy Robert feat. Akeem Ali

From Decisions, Decisions The Black Effect Podcast Network and iHeartPodcasts

In this episode of Selective Ignorance, Mandii B joined by A-King, Jason “Jah” Lee, and guest artist Akeem Ali, who previews his upcoming fall tour [ 00:44 ][ 02:53 ]. After debating the workweek and distractions [ 06:32 ] and reacting to major cocaine seizures at U.S. ports [ 09:38 ], the crew questions why “partner” has become a popular label for significant others [ 12:26 ]. They defend personal boundaries while discussing Cardi B swiping away a fan who touched her [ 22:11 ], meet-and-greet horror stories [ 26:28 ], fan entitlement and parasocial behavior [ 27:20 ], and even photo etiquette at clothing-optional resorts [ 30:39 ]. In “This Is America,” they react to Converse apologizing for a Chuck 70 X campaign image featuring K-pop star Karina that critics said evoked racist imagery [ 31:43 ], as Akeem questions whether outrage can become a marketing strategy [ 33:04 ]. The conversation expands to the effectiveness of boycotts [ 39:00 ] and why culturally aware creatives and diverse decision-makers need to be “in the room” before campaigns go public [ 42:02 ].

Technology takes over as the crew reacts to warnings about increasingly autonomous AI agents [ 45:03 ], imagining their impact on dating and everyday life [ 47:23 ], deepfakes and robotics [ 52:44 ], futuristic nanotechnology [ 55:59 ], and fears surrounding Neuralink and brain-computer interfaces [ 56:30 ]. A run of classic Selective Ignorance tangents covers drugs and productivity [ 57:43 ], psychedelics and the brain [ 59:36 ], pineal-gland and wisdom-teeth theories [01:02:50 ], Chick-fil-A conspiracies [ 01:04:52 ], human-meat rumors [ 01:08:46 ], and America compared with other countries [ 01:13:44 ]. The final stretch examines Chris Brown criticizing Texas Rep. Venton Jones after Jones apologized for participating in an official recognition of Brown [ 01:18:24 ], moving through responsibility [ 01:21:35], repeated second chances [ 01:22:20 ], accountability versus advocacy [ 01:23:56 ], public grace for Black men [01:25:26 ], and Brown’s past controversies [ 01:26:40 ]. They close by unpacking Macklemore’s removal from Ed Sheeran’s U.S. tour following his pro-Palestinian remarks [ 01:30:54 ], debating politics on concert stages [ 01:33:55], intent versus impact [ 01:35:38 ], Robert Kraft’s involvement and humanitarian donations [ 01:37:28 ], and fears surrounding political speech and accusations [ 01:42:11 ], before wrapping with Akeem Ali’s tour plug [ 01:48:27 ].