The Angle Born in Hell: Saul Alinsky, Power, and Faustian Bargains
Explore Saul Alinsky’s power principles and the Faustian bargain in The Angle Born in Hell. Discover how noir fiction and activism reveal the grit of human nature.
Best quote from The Angle Born in Hell: Saul Alinsky, Power, and Faustian Bargains
We don't live in a world of angels, but a world of angles. While we love to talk about moral principles, we almost always act on power principles.
This audio lesson was created by a BeFreed community member
The angle born in hell
Frequently Asked Questions
The core concept explores the tension between moral principles and power principles, inspired by Saul Alinsky's observation that we live in a world of angles rather than angels. The podcast examines how individuals often prioritize getting what they want over maintaining a moral image. It delves into the messy reality of human nature where the desire for success or justice meets the dark tactics often required to win in competitive environments.
Saul Alinsky provides the foundational framework for the discussion by distinguishing between how people talk and how they act. While society often discusses moral principles, Alinsky argues that actions are typically driven by power principles. This perspective suggests that a major human blind spot is the tendency to view one's own side as inherently moral while dismissing the opposition as immoral, a theme that resonates through political activism and social structures.
The Faustian bargain represents the pivotal moment when an individual trades a piece of their soul for a shot at the top or a specific victory. The podcast explores why people are drawn to stories of fallen figures and the consequences of these high-stakes trades. By looking at examples from noir fiction like Falling Angel to professional wrestling, the show analyzes whether it is possible to achieve great success without compromising one's integrity.
Noir fiction, such as Falling Angel, and political activism both serve as case studies for the 'angle born in hell' intersection. These fields highlight the gritty, realistic side of human nature where high stakes and the drive for success lead to difficult ethical choices. The podcast uses these diverse areas to show how the struggle between looking like the 'good guy' and employing realistic power tactics plays out in both storytelling and real-world power dynamics.
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From Columbia University alumni built in San Francisco
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
"Instead of endless scrolling, I just hit play on BeFreed. It saves me so much time."
"I never knew where to start with nonfiction—BeFreed’s book lists turned into podcasts gave me a clear path."
"Perfect balance between learning and entertainment. Finished ‘Thinking, Fast and Slow’ on my commute this week."
"Crazy how much I learned while walking the dog. BeFreed = small habits → big gains."
"Reading used to feel like a chore. Now it’s just part of my lifestyle."
"Feels effortless compared to reading. I’ve finished 6 books this month already."
"BeFreed turned my guilty doomscrolling into something that feels productive and inspiring."
"BeFreed turned my commute into learning time. 20-min podcasts are perfect for finishing books I never had time for."
"BeFreed replaced my podcast queue. Imagine Spotify for books — that’s it. 🙌"
"It is great for me to learn something from the book without reading it."
"The themed book list podcasts help me connect ideas across authors—like a guided audio journey."
"Makes me feel smarter every time before going to work"
