THE OUTPOST - with Nathan Kruger

When we’ve lived a life void of self-initiated risk, how could we possibly feel we have the right to associate with the innovators and game changers? How much of what we feel we want or need is a direct result of our own intention, and how much is social input?  In this season finale, we will discuss what it truly means to be politically engaged as well as dig into some tangible solutions that can help us change our lives for the better. We will also review previous episodes of The Outpost and understand how they all come together!   

When we are young, we answer to our parents. If we get out of hand or fall out of line, our parents are there to make sure we get back on track. Once we step into adulthood, we believe we are free of this kind of dynamic; that we no longer have to answer to anyone. But this is not the case. The system has become our parent... In this episode we will discuss what it means to be truly independent, how we can move beyond our limitations and empower ourselves to change the world. 

New research published in the Journal of Experimental Psychology reveals that “Trusting Science” has made people more likely to disseminate false claims than those who use critical evaluation. The study revealed that when an article contains scientific references, people view the article as credible and boldly share it without considerations for reporting bias, prejudice or political motivations.  In this episode we will discuss how blind acceptance of information in the presence of simple scientific references sterilises critical analysis. It cultivates a damaging attitude of “blind faith” towards anything that seems remotely “scientific” when it is, in function, propaganda.

Caryn Leigh Oram is a phenomenal young woman with a passion for truth and progress. This passion lead her to pioneering a focus point in the world of academia; leading the charge for questions un-asked. After being at the mercy of a tremulous political journey, her world view changed drastically although her compassion kept her grounded. In this episode, we discuss the fate of academia, the wrath of journalism and how cancel culture runs a muck. We also take a look at how our individual political revolutions have lead us to where we are now and what guides us moving forward.

History has an almost endless supply of examples that demonstrate how damaging censorship can be. Whether its erasing entire cultures and historical event, or removing articles that expose corruption, as soon as people no longer have access to all the information they are unable to make informed decisions. Armed with this understanding, we need to ask ourselves whether everything we understand about democracy is grounded in reality or merely a beautifully orchestrated fiction; one that pushes us into the corners it claims to protect us from. In this episode we’ll discuss how censorship can can be weaponised and used to deliver blunt-force propaganda. Blow by blow. Piece by piece. Lie by lie.

Throughout human history, we can see many examples of how propaganda, disinformation and the denial of truth have all effectively been used as powerful tools to manipulate the masses. In order to be effective, propaganda has to be both believable and acceptable. Propaganda is a lot more strategic and subtle in its present-day execution. It’s more difficult to pinpoint any sole perpetrator because the claws of manipulation are so systemically spread throughout society that it’s considered to be “culture.” In this episode we’ll discuss how intellectual sleight of hand is adopted and weaponised. We’ll analyse the tactics people use to try and convince us that the absurd is the norm, war is peace and that cows go quack.

In recent years, there has been an attitude of arrogance which has spread throughout all areas of popular culture and public discourse. People have managed to avoid accountability while simultaneously escalating conflict by taking refuge in their self-designed echo chambers. This has shifted the political landscape in ways that allow people to deny correction and fortify ignorance. In this episode we will deconstruct the theory and consequences of echo chambers as well as discuss how to silence them and cultivate a healthier way to engage. Get your earmuffs ready, they’re going out with a bang!

With zombie statistics running rampant and feeding on the brains of the good-willed, we need to seek refuge. We need to ask ourselves what measures we can put in place to prevent ourselves falling prey to the bewildering effect of a zombie statistic. If we genuinely want to initiate change and we truly want to gain support for what we believe in, we have to understand what we’re defending or fighting for. We can’t assume that anyone who has written an opinion piece has done the critical or ethical thinking on our behalf. That is our job. In this episode we will look at how zombie statistics are cultivated and weaponised. We will also discuss how to combat them and lead by example. So take up arms and guard your brains. We’re hunting zombies.

“Community” is a word that has been thrown around with such reckless abandon that few understand what it truly means. We are all a part of so many different communities: family, work, friends, social structures and even daily commutes. I feel like because are are each a part of such a wide range of collectives, we have allowed our “community focus” to fracture. We no longer recognise the value that those around us bring to our lives, nor do we actively engage with the responsibility we have when contributing to the lives of others. With times being so complicated and polarising, it feels like many people have escaped within themselves. The fear of facing exposure, criticism, fault or harm, has forced many people to limit their public engagement to the bare minimum. Although this is understandable I don’t feel like its going to aid in improving the situation. The best way to design a solution is to face the problem head on. In The Outpost, we will contemplate how we got to this point. We will focus on what has contributed to all the political hostility between people that used to care and agree. Once we understand how things have fallen apart, we are able to apply remedy. When we know better we can choose to do better. This is going to be quite a journey. Hang on to your heads!