Topic: Ben And Jerry S

Unilever has announced a workaround to continue selling Ben & Jerry's ice cream in the West Bank by selling the business interests to an Israeli manufacturer. This follows a year of controversy and divestment by several U.S. states after Ben & Jerry's attempted to boycott the region. The hosts view this as a failure of "ESG" (Environmental, Social, and Governance) activism and a victory for Israeli officials.

The "Thumbs Up" organization in Austin received city funding to promote a certification system for ride-sharing vehicles, utilizing the B Corporation model. B Corporations, such as Ben & Jerry's and Etsy, sign a declaration of interdependence and pay certification fees based on revenue to prove they meet specific social and environmental standards. Critics argue these certifications act as a "social justice warrior seal of approval" and create unnecessary financial barriers for independent contractors.