Episode 267: Breathing Together, Choking Apart

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Propaganda is not just a thing that happens in the here and now. Dig well enough, and you might find old institutional knowledge that started originally as a conspiratorial plot designed to sway society. Make such propaganda profitable enough, and we find ourselves in a world described by the title to Episode 267: Breathing Together, Choking Apart.

In this episode, I read from: Stephen J. Gould's essay "The Late Birth of a Flat Earth"; Will Eisner's graphic novel "The Plot: The Secret Story of The Protocols of the Elders of Zion"; and my computer's quickie dictionary. I also once again reference Annalee Newitz's book Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind.

Musically, I play: KMFDM backing a new introduction with Mara Einstein, who noted how a degradation of social interactions moves us more and more toward interacting with our devices. Mistle Thrush closes us out with "It's All Like Today."

Oh, and quick note on those teasers I left you with at the end of the show. For a reference to William Whewell coining the term "scientist," check this brief article; and for the question of what might have prompted the sudden appearance in the English language of the word "quiz," give this podcast a listen (if you can find it; it's a tad old, and the Intertoobs do hate old things).

Episode 266: Garbage Fires and Angry Weasels

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When propaganda falls, it can lead to social impacts more powerful than kinetic weapons. The troubles come when the propagandists conceal their manipulation of society with misdirecting propaganda that we have trouble detecting, let alone responding to effectively. Which brings us to today's Episode 266: Garbage Fires and Angry Weasels.

In this episode, I read from: Annalee Newitz's book Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind; and Maggie Jackson's book, Uncertain: The Wisdom and Wonder of Being Unsure. Expect more mentions of both of these interesting books.

Musically, I play: KMFDM backing Cory Doctorow's worry about our current crisis in belief, one caused by our privately-held companies playing fast and loose with information. Julie & Rolf & The Campfire Gang close out the show with "Over The Rainbow."