A Former Disinformation Reporter is Running The Onion. Plus, Birds ARE Real.
Digest
This episode of On the Media delves into several intriguing topics. It begins by reporting on the recent legal troubles faced by prominent figures in the pro-Trump media landscape. Steve Bannon, a former Trump advisor, has been ordered to report to prison for defying a subpoena from the January 6th committee. Alex Jones, the conspiracy theorist behind Info Wars, is facing liquidation after being ordered to pay $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims. The Gateway Pundit, a far-right blog, is also filing for bankruptcy, and the Epoch Times, a pro-Trump outlet, is under investigation for money laundering. The episode then shifts to the 'Birds Aren't Real' movement, a satirical conspiracy theory that gained widespread popularity among teenagers. The movement's founder, Peter McIndoe, initially played the role of a bird-truther, but later revealed that the movement was a performance art project designed to satirize American conspiratorial thinking. The episode concludes with an interview with Annalee Newitz, author of the book 'Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind.' Newitz argues that the use of narratives as weapons has become increasingly prevalent in our public sphere, drawing parallels between military psychological operations and the culture wars of the present day. She suggests that the weaponization of stories has contributed to a sense of polarization and conflict in our society, and that we need to find new ways to tell stories that promote understanding and cooperation.
Outlines
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Pro-Trump Media Under Fire
This Chapter discusses the recent legal troubles faced by prominent figures in the pro-Trump media landscape. Steve Bannon, a former Trump advisor, has been ordered to report to prison for defying a subpoena from the January 6th committee. Alex Jones, the conspiracy theorist behind Info Wars, is facing liquidation after being ordered to pay $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims. The Gateway Pundit, a far-right blog, is also filing for bankruptcy, and the Epoch Times, a pro-Trump outlet, is under investigation for money laundering.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
The Rise and Fall of 'Birds Aren't Real'
This Chapter explores the 'Birds Aren't Real' movement, a satirical conspiracy theory that gained widespread popularity among teenagers. The movement's founder, Peter McIndoe, initially played the role of a bird-truther, but later revealed that the movement was a performance art project designed to satirize American conspiratorial thinking. The episode discusses the movement's origins, its online presence, and its impact on the broader conversation about misinformation.
![](https://s3.castbox.fm/webstatic/images/book.5d108c35.png)
Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind
This Chapter features an interview with Annalee Newitz, author of the book 'Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind.' Newitz argues that the use of narratives as weapons has become increasingly prevalent in our public sphere, drawing parallels between military psychological operations and the culture wars of the present day. She suggests that the weaponization of stories has contributed to a sense of polarization and conflict in our society, and that we need to find new ways to tell stories that promote understanding and cooperation.
Keywords
Steve Bannon
Steve Bannon is an American political strategist, media executive, and former White House advisor to President Donald Trump. He is known for his far-right views and his role in promoting populist and nationalist movements. Bannon was the chairman of Breitbart News, a website known for its controversial and often inflammatory content. He was also a key figure in Trump's 2016 presidential campaign. Bannon was convicted of contempt of Congress in 2022 for refusing to cooperate with the January 6th committee's investigation into the attack on the US Capitol.
Alex Jones
Alex Jones is an American far-right radio host, conspiracy theorist, and founder of the website Info Wars. Jones is known for promoting a wide range of conspiracy theories, including the belief that the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting was a hoax. He has been repeatedly sued for defamation and has been banned from several social media platforms. Jones's media empire has been significantly impacted by recent legal rulings and financial setbacks.
Birds Aren't Real
'Birds Aren't Real' is a satirical conspiracy theory that gained widespread popularity among teenagers. The movement's founder, Peter McIndoe, initially played the role of a bird-truther, but later revealed that the movement was a performance art project designed to satirize American conspiratorial thinking. The movement's popularity highlights the prevalence of conspiratorial thinking in contemporary society and the ways in which young people engage with and challenge these ideas.
Psychological Warfare
Psychological warfare, also known as 'psyops,' is the use of propaganda, disinformation, and other psychological techniques to influence the behavior of an adversary. It is often used in military conflicts to demoralize enemy troops, undermine their morale, and weaken their resolve. However, the techniques of psychological warfare have also been adapted for use in political campaigns, social movements, and other contexts. The weaponization of narratives and the use of psychological manipulation are increasingly prevalent in our public sphere, raising concerns about the erosion of trust and the spread of misinformation.
Culture Wars
Culture wars refer to the ongoing conflicts and debates over social and cultural values in a society. These conflicts often involve clashes between different groups with opposing views on issues such as religion, morality, gender, and race. Culture wars can be highly divisive and can lead to polarization and social unrest. The term 'culture wars' is often used to describe the political and social landscape of the United States, where there are deep divisions between liberals and conservatives on a range of issues.
Q&A
What are some of the recent legal troubles faced by prominent figures in the pro-Trump media landscape?
Steve Bannon, a former Trump advisor, has been ordered to report to prison for defying a subpoena from the January 6th committee. Alex Jones, the conspiracy theorist behind Info Wars, is facing liquidation after being ordered to pay $1.5 billion to the families of Sandy Hook shooting victims. The Gateway Pundit, a far-right blog, is also filing for bankruptcy, and the Epoch Times, a pro-Trump outlet, is under investigation for money laundering.
What is the 'Birds Aren't Real' movement, and what is its significance?
'Birds Aren't Real' is a satirical conspiracy theory that gained widespread popularity among teenagers. The movement's founder, Peter McIndoe, initially played the role of a bird-truther, but later revealed that the movement was a performance art project designed to satirize American conspiratorial thinking. The movement's popularity highlights the prevalence of conspiratorial thinking in contemporary society and the ways in which young people engage with and challenge these ideas.
What is psychological warfare, and how is it used in contemporary society?
Psychological warfare, also known as 'psyops,' is the use of propaganda, disinformation, and other psychological techniques to influence the behavior of an adversary. It is often used in military conflicts to demoralize enemy troops, undermine their morale, and weaken their resolve. However, the techniques of psychological warfare have also been adapted for use in political campaigns, social movements, and other contexts. The weaponization of narratives and the use of psychological manipulation are increasingly prevalent in our public sphere, raising concerns about the erosion of trust and the spread of misinformation.
What are culture wars, and how do they relate to the weaponization of stories?
Culture wars refer to the ongoing conflicts and debates over social and cultural values in a society. These conflicts often involve clashes between different groups with opposing views on issues such as religion, morality, gender, and race. Culture wars can be highly divisive and can lead to polarization and social unrest. The term 'culture wars' is often used to describe the political and social landscape of the United States, where there are deep divisions between liberals and conservatives on a range of issues. The weaponization of stories in culture wars can contribute to a sense of polarization and conflict, making it difficult to have productive conversations and find common ground.
Show Notes
This week, the Department of Justice accused one of the most influential right wing outlets of laundering tens of millions of dollars. On this week’s On the Media, a former reporter on his progression from defining the disinformation beat to running one of the most famous fake news outlets, The Onion. Plus, a satirical movement about birds illuminates the inner workings of conspiracies.
[01:09 ] Host Micah Loewinger interviews Ben Collins, newly minted shareholder and CEO of the satirical site The Onion, about how his background in disinformation reporting led him to his latest gig.
[18:03 ] Host Brooke Gladstone speaks with Ian Beacock about Birds Aren’t Real, a prank conspiracy theory that is itself a case study in how misinformation spreads.
[34:41 ] Lastly, Brooke interviews Annalee Newitz about their latest book, Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind. They discuss how stories have long been spun as a means of controlling people — from the 18th century to today’s culture wars.
Further reading:
- “Trump, QAnon and an impending judgment day: Behind the Facebook-fueled rise of The Epoch Times,” by Brandy Zadrozny and Ben Collins
- “Birds Aren’t Real: The Prank That Turned Misinformation on Its Head,” by Ian Beacock
- Stories Are Weapons: Psychological Warfare and the American Mind by Annalee Newitz
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