A. J. A. Woods, Author at Public Seminar

Interviews

The Cultural Marxism Bogeyman

An interview with author A. J. A. Woods on their new book about the Right’s favorite conspiracy theory

July 27, 2026 • by Austin Tannenbaum and A. J. A. Woods

A specter is haunting the West—the specter of Cultural Marxism. Or at least that’s what many conservative operatives would like us to think. From military theorist William S. Lind to Texas Senator Ted Cruz, prominent right-wingers deploy “Cultural Marxism” as a catch-all for the forces behind our reputed decline: feminism, ...

The Right

William S. Lind and His Single-Factor Explanation of History

How William S. Lind—a former director of the Free Congress Foundation’s Center for Cultural Conservatism—used the phrase “Cultural Marxism” as a delegitimizing tool

July 27, 2026 • by A. J. A. Woods

In July 1998, Lind was invited to speak at an Accuracy in Academia (AIA) conference. Founded in 1985, AIA was set up to expose instances of political bias on American campuses. Its founder, Reed Irvine, believed that universities were indoctrinating students with progressive ideologies rather than teaching them facts and ...

William S. Lind and His Single-Factor Explanation of History

Uncategorized

Was Theodor Adorno “The Fifth Beatle”?

How a conspiracy theory about the Frankfurt School made its way around the world

October 8, 2019 • by A. J. A. Woods

His latest theory asserts the Beatles could not have written their own songs, because they “were semi-literate in music” and “barely knew how to play the guitar.” Instead it was Adorno, a composer trained by Alban Berg and skilled in twelve-tone technique, who masterminded the Lennon-McCartney songbook. Carvalho’s remarks will baffle fans of ...

Education

A Secret Invasion

The University in Exile and conspiracy theories

May 20, 2019 • by A. J. A. Woods

Conspiracy theories offer alternative explanations for shocking historical events and sweeping cultural changes. They simplify complex socio-political factors and processes into seductive narratives of Good versus Evil. They are the opium of those who believe that they are on the wrong side of history, yet imagine that God is on ...