Propaganda Loves You: The Mechanics of Disinformation

In this episode of 'Propaganda Loves You,' hosts Kodie, Arthur, and Joe delve into the origins and operational strategies behind global disinformation campaigns. Starting with the Soviet Union's creation of the term 'disinformation,' the episode explores Russia's extensive use of disinformation tactics, especially during the 2016 U.S. election, through the Internet Research Agency. The discussion covers how disinformation spreads across multiple channels, targets specific groups, and aims to destabilize societies by fomenting division and distrust. The hosts provide insights into methodology, the psychological impact of propaganda, and strategies for maintaining digital literacy in an era of information warfare.

00:00 Introduction to Propaganda Loves You

00:37 Global Disinformation War Overview

00:46 Fact-Checking Game Introduction

01:08 Challenges with AI Fact-Checking

02:49 Results of Fact-Checking Episode 9

10:39 Weekly Updates and Personal Stories

16:11 How We Met and Started the Show

19:22 Listener Statistics and Show Growth

22:30 Research Methods and AI Use

33:22 The Clean Classroom: No Protests, No Debates

33:58 Introduction to Disinformation Episodes

35:14 Understanding Misinformation vs. Disinformation

38:40 The Origins of Disinformation: Soviet Era to Cold War

42:09 Modern Russian Disinformation Tactics

50:53 The Internet Research Agency and 2016 US Elections

56:36 Impact and Reach of Russian Trolls

01:03:22 Real-World Consequences: Organized Protests

01:14:27 Concluding Thoughts on Russian Disinformation

01:23:09 Final Remarks and Call to Action

Resources referenced during this podcast -

https://epthinktank.eu/2018/02/12/kremlin-trolls-in-the-us-presidential-election/

https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Operation-Secondary-Infektion_English.pdf

https://bsky.app/profile/50501eugeneor.bsky.social/post/3lp5l2depic26

Propaganda Loves You Book Club Episode 1: Analyzing 'On Tyranny' by Timothy Snyder

In the inaugural episode of 'Propaganda Loves You Book Club,' hosts discuss 'On Tyranny' by Timothy Snyder, a book chosen for its accessible yet critical commentary on the rise of authoritarianism, particularly in the context of the U.S. after Trump's first election. They explore the book's 20 lessons on the 20th century, touching upon the importance of defending institutions, professional ethics, and resisting paramilitaries, as well as dissecting contemporary issues related to media, propaganda, and democracy. The episode closes with a teaser for their next book club pick, 'When Affirmative Action Was White' by Ira Katznelson.

00:00 Introduction and Book Club Overview

01:20 Background on Timothy Snyder

03:40 Discussion on Media and Journalism

06:48 Debate on Political Systems

18:09 Rapid Fire Hot Takes on Book Lessons

32:14 Police and White Supremacy

32:35 Rage Against the Machine and Political Figures

33:25 Ethics and Public Service

34:53 Standing Out and Internet Influence

37:39 Language and Truth

38:54 Investigative Journalism and Media Bias

40:20 Community and Social Interaction

42:23 Privacy and Online Presence

44:33 Global Perspectives and Propaganda

46:22 Dangerous Words and Authoritarianism

50:42 Patriotism and National Identity

56:21 Final Thoughts and Book Recommendations

Propaganda's Evolution: From Printing Press to Social Media

In this episode of 'Propaganda Loves You,' host Arthur, joined by Kodie and Joe, explores the historical and modern impacts of propaganda on democracy. The discussion starts with the evolution of political propaganda from the printing press to television, exemplified by the iconic 1964 Lyndon B. Johnson 'Daisy' ad. They then shift focus to contemporary issues, including the influence of social media algorithms and personalized disinformation. The episode features a detailed analysis of the American Sunlight Project, Influence Watch, and the Capital Research Center, highlighting how narratives are shaped to influence public perception. The hosts also discuss the recent American-born Pope, the importance of transparency in media biases, and the implications of targeted political advertising. The conversation is rounded off with a hopeful plug for the American Sunlight Project, ProPublica, and the Harvard Kennedy School's misinformation review.

https://www.americansunlight.org/

https://misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/

https://www.propublica.org/

00:00 Introduction to Propaganda Loves You

00:45 Recap of Last Week and Introduction to Modern Technologies

01:13 Discussion on the New American Pope

04:16 Exploring the American Sunlight Project

05:47 Deep Dive into Influence Watch and Capital Research Center

15:12 Book Club Announcement and Upcoming Episodes

18:45 Sponsor Message and Cabinet Meeting Clips

26:11 Government and Personal Identity

27:43 Patriotism vs. Nationalism

29:11 Disability and Social Justice

30:29 Capitalism vs. Socialism

39:14 The Power of Political Ads

44:56 Media Manipulation and Propaganda

49:34 The Role of Social Media in Democracy

54:38 Transparency and Bias in Conversations

58:40 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections