WEIRD: the podcast

Behind the veneer of civility that cloaked the 2 October US vice presidential debate, there are radical differences that can't be reconciled. Key topics: - Fact-checking and post-truth: the CBS News debate moderators couldn't fact-check the vice presidential candidates, but, weirdly enough, candidates were encouraged to fact-check each other. - JD Vance, like Trump, blames all American problems on immigration. Tim Walz reiterates Harris' "tough" stance on borders (a move to the right)...

We compare two radically different visions for America in the 10 September presidential debate. We talk about the ideas, the emotions and the communication tactics. Key topics: - Harris’ opportunity economy is aimed at a broad coalition of middle classes, workers and small business owners. Republicans identify as “working class” even when they are not. - Trump is obsessed with stoking fears about immigration. Harris takes him on and shows he is derailing from the real issues. - Trump’s state...

In this episode: - Russian interference and Tenet Media: paying American right-wing influencers to do what they already do; pro-Trump commentator Dave Rubin’s journey from left to right, or why libertarians ally with the far right. - Operation Doppelganger: impersonating mainstream media and mixing fact and fiction to sow division in US domestic politics. - JD Vance: from darling of mainstream shows to far right politician; Vance’s right-wing nationalism and the “white working class” narrativ...

We discuss two different styles and visions of populism - the Democrats vs the Republicans. Kamala Harris accepts the nomination as presidential candidate at the Democratic National Convention, Tim Walz is a "man of the people", Trump and Vance's weird politics focuses on doom and gloom and how to save Americans from catastrophe. Lack of engagement with the Gaza protesters is a missed opportunity for Democrats. Robert F. Kennedy jr endorses right-wing Trump with leftist rhetoric. Sign u...