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

00:00:00

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.

00:18:28

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.

00:35:37

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

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