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

Understanding Democracy and Propaganda: The Emotional and Historical Nexus

In this episode of 'Propaganda Loves You', hosts Arthur, Kodie, and Joe delve into the complex relationship between democracy and propaganda. The episode begins with a casual discussion about nostalgic video games like Skyrim and Final Fantasy. It then transitions into a more structured analysis of recent political events, including Bernie Sanders' campaign efforts and Donald Trump's controversial statements. The heart of the episode explores the historical roots of democracy in ancient Greece, the impact of the printing press on disseminating information, and the fine line between persuasive democratic debate and manipulative propaganda. The hosts discuss whether propaganda can ever be honest and how the evolution of technology, like the internet, influences democratic processes today.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:41 Casual Chat and Weather Talk

01:19 Nostalgia Gaming Discussion

03:39 Bernie Sanders Zoom Call Recap

06:09 Trump and MS-13 Photoshop Controversy

10:06 Propaganda and Disinformation

13:09 Sponsor Message

14:11 Research and Fact-Checking Process

18:42 Democracy and Propaganda

20:32 The Nature of Political Campaigns

20:57 Can Propaganda Be Honest?

21:39 The Birth of Democratic Ideals

22:51 Pericles and the Role of Democracy

24:16 The Sophists and Rhetoric

33:49 The Printing Press Revolution

40:22 The Power of Emotional Messaging

42:24 The Internet and Modern Propaganda

44:11 The Future of Democratic Tools

47:10 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Exploring Propaganda, Activism, and Historical Narratives

In this episode of 'Propaganda. Loved You.', hosts Joe, Kodie, and Arthur discuss recent protests, the impact of voter testimonials, and innovative mental health programs like Cahoots. They delve into the defund police movement, the challenges of balancing police and community services, and the political controversies surrounding misinformation and media biases. The hosts also examine Howard Zinn's approach to history, the ethical responsibility of storytelling, and the complex relationship between truth, propaganda, and historical narratives. Additionally, they discuss the importance of finding trustworthy perspectives in media consumption.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:43 Recent Events and Personal Updates

02:07 Alternative Policing and Community Programs

04:48 Defund the Police Movement

08:02 US State Department and Disinformation

09:17 Judicial Controversies and Political Arrests

11:48 Media and Public Perception

18:01 Political Movements and Internal Conflicts

29:58 Third Parties and Electoral Reforms

33:00 Introduction to Propaganda in History

33:11 Understanding History as a Narrative

34:04 Howard Zinn and the Relationship Between History and Propaganda

34:37 The Spectrum of Propaganda

36:48 The Role of Emotions in Historical Narratives

40:49 Ethical Responsibilities in Telling History

42:42 The Challenge of Establishing Shared Truths

53:32 Trust and Media Consumption

57:16 The Future of Media and Individual Voices

01:05:09 Concluding Thoughts and Call to Action

In this episode of 'Propaganda Loves You,' host Joe, joined by Kodie and Arthur, tackles the historical figure Christopher Columbus and the darker aspects of his legacy. The discussion is sparked by Howard Zinn's 'A People's History of the United States.' The episode also delves into current issues like the case of Kilmar García, a Maryland father wrongly deported to El Salvador, and the Supreme Court ruling requiring his return, which the administration is resisting. The team critiques the glorification of punishment in politics and media, and emphasizes the importance of understanding history from the perspective of the oppressed. The show concludes with announcements about upcoming protests, book club meetings, and ways listeners can support the podcast.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:42 Weekly Updates and Current Events

04:00 Supreme Court Case Discussion

08:40 Media Manipulation and Public Perception

11:10 Tax Dollars and Government Actions

17:28 Howard Zinn's People's History

24:33 Columbus's First Encounters

26:36 Columbus's First Encounters

27:06 Columbus's Quest for Gold

27:52 The Brutality of Columbus's Expeditions

30:31 The Legacy of Columbus and Historical Narratives

32:40 Reevaluating Historical Perspectives

34:03 The Ideological Distortion of History

37:41 The Importance of Diverse Historical Viewpoints

48:38 Concluding Thoughts and Reflections

49:43 Upcoming Events and Announcements

Episode #5: History is a Way of Looking

In this episode of 'Propaganda Loves You,' host Joe, along with Kodie and Arthur, delve into various aspects of history and its narratives. Joe shares his personal journey with meditation, highlighting its importance for mental health, particularly for military veterans. The episode also discusses the influence of major world events such as 9/11 on personal worldviews. Kodie talks about a local pond skimming event, Arthur discusses recent economic headlines, and Joe recounts his experience with a protest event organized by Drop Site News in Washington, DC. The team also explores President Donald Trump's executive order on American history representation, emphasizing the implications of historical revisionism. The episode concludes with an introduction to their new book club initiative and a reminder to stay informed.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts Introduction

00:44 Mental Health and Meditation

02:26 Kodie's Pond Skimming Adventure

05:20 Arthur's Weekly Update and Border Issues

06:28 Protests and Volunteering

14:37 Trump's Executive Order on History

24:45 Understanding History: Definitions and Perspectives

27:59 Understanding the Nature of History

30:03 The Role of Historians and Ethical Responsibility

32:23 Sharing Personal Worldviews

33:02 Exploring Marxist Perspectives

40:15 The Impact of Upbringing on Worldview

45:44 Reflections on 9/11 and Military Service

48:21 The Idealism and Realities of American Power

49:57 The Influence of Media and Propaganda

52:19 Astronomy and the Wonders of the Universe

55:51 Podcast Updates and Future Plans

In this episode of Propaganda Loves You, Kodie, Arthur, and Joe explore the history and evolution of fascist propaganda. They discuss the fates of Hitler and Mussolini, the tactics used by various fascist regimes, and the continued relevance of these methods in today's political landscape. The conversation delves into contemporary instances of authoritarianism, the impact of social media on spreading propaganda, and the psychological effects on society. The hosts also touch on the influence of figures like Tim Pool and the implications of their presence in modern journalism.

00:00 Introduction and Hosts

00:48 Current Events

01:53 Journalism and Media Critique

05:48 Propaganda and Greenland

12:41 Fascism's Fall and Historical Context

19:26 Melancholy and the End of the World

20:23 Fascism's Lingering Influence Post-WWII

21:45 Franco's Spain and the Survival of Fascist Ideologies

25:35 The Rise of Authoritarian Governments

31:24 Fascist Propaganda in the Modern Era

32:32 The Internet's Role in Spreading Fascist Ideas

33:34 The Warning Signs of Modern Fascism

34:06 The Enduring Threat of Fascist Propaganda

36:33 Final Thoughts and Reflections

Sources used to create this episode -

• Applebaum, A. (2012). Iron Curtain: The Crushing of Eastern Europe 1944-1956. Doubleday.
• Bosworth, R. J. B. (2006). Mussolini's Italy: Life under the Fascist Dictatorship, 1915–1945. Penguin.
• De Felice, R. (1995). Mussolini. Oxford University Press.
• Evans, R. J. (2008). The Third Reich at War. Penguin.
• Gessen, M. (2017). The Future Is History: How Totalitarianism Reclaimed Russia. Riverhead Books.
• Herf, J. (2006). The Jewish Enemy: Nazi Propaganda During World War II and the Holocaust. Harvard University Press.
• Kershaw, I. (2000). Hitler: 1936-1945: Nemesis. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Lendvai, P. (2018). Orbán: Europe’s New Strongman. Oxford University Press.
• Nagle, A. (2017). Kill All Normies: Online Culture Wars from 4chan and Tumblr to Trump and the Alt-Right. Zero Books.
• Preston, P. (2013). The Spanish Holocaust: Inquisition and Extermination in Twentieth-Century Spain. HarperCollins.
• Schrecker, E. (1998). Many Are the Crimes: McCarthyism in America. Princeton University Press.
• Stanley, J. (2018). How Fascism Works: The Politics of Us and Them. Random House.
• Zuboff, S. (2019). The Age of Surveillance Capitalism. PublicAffairs.