01:00 NYT: How Trump’s Allies Are Winning the War Over Disinformation, https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/17/us/politics/trump-disinformation-2024-social-media.html
06:00 Mike Benz on Tucker Carlson, https://x.com/TuckerCarlson/status/1758529993280205039
10:00 Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=156636
15:00 Everything and Less: The Novel in the Age of Amazon, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=156970
1:10:00 David French Is Wrong (Or Is He?) | Dispatch Podcast w/ Sarah Isgur, Jonah Goldberg, Megan McArdle, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f-ygadKXYFw
1:12:00 Kip joins
1:12:20 WP: Viral Olympic B-girl Raygun says the ‘hate’ has been ‘devastating’, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/16/raygun-breakdancing-olympics-online-hate-petition/
1:14:45 Edward Bernays, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Edward_Bernays
1:35:00 WP: Viral Olympic B-girl Raygun says the ‘hate’ has been ‘devastating’, https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2024/08/16/raygun-breakdancing-olympics-online-hate-petition/
1:42:00 Byron York on the DNC convention
1:43:00 The Rise of Writing: Redefining Mass Literacy, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=156954
1:57:00 Swoooon! Why is Harris Media Coverage Like This? | Mark Halperin, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0xCB1J0SOk
2:02:00 My love strategy
2:02:30 Surprising Insights Into Human Psychology – Rory Sutherland (4K), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DaYTvwe0Wo0
2:14:00 Jordan Peterson on the Rise of Kamala Harris and Donald Trump’s Challenge | Mark Halperin, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tgy4bsS3tM8
2:15:00 Elliott Blatt joins to talk about sales
2:47:00 Rob Henderson, Richard Hanania on dating, https://www.richardhanania.com/
3:05:00 Uncommon People: The Rise and Fall of The Rock Stars, https://lukeford.net/blog/?p=156985
3:22:00 Psychologist JD Haltigan, https://x.com/jdhaltigan,
3:25:00 The Devouring Mother, War, & Human Aggression | J. D. Haltigan, https://x.com/JBPpod/status/1812955313362071665
3:32:45 Curing monotone voice, I Hired A Speech Therapist To Fix My Boring Voice, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nLDRQYeYQJg
This is just crazy to me: @lukeford tweaking out hours after 2 cups of coffee when I can slam a Monster and take a nap. I swear you are either sensitive to Caffeine or it just has no effect on you. pic.twitter.com/YTXBhPHvkm
— SJJ (@MuskMaximalist) August 18, 2024
Podnotes summary: Mike Benz has become a key figure in disinformation discourse, especially among Republicans. Known previously as Frame Game Radio, he gained notoriety after Richard Spencer’s decline and the alt-right’s fragmentation in 2018. With his corporate law background, Benz excels at crafting compelling narratives.
We all have various identities; I converted to Orthodox Judaism, I am Australian-American with Irish-English ancestry and several roles including writer and Alexander Technique teacher. But for Mike Benz, his identity as an attorney seems most significant because of his storytelling skills creates compelling narratives that resonate with conservative audiences hungry for tales about media bias and deep state conspiracies.
Despite having zero academic recognition or mainstream news media presence, Benz has captured Republican attention with claims like Taylor Swift being a Pentagon asset—claims often lacking factual support but emotionally charged for his base.
Benz also leads the Foundation for Freedom online—a seemingly one-man operation—and spread theories about government-led censorship that echo wartime propaganda tactics.
I’ve known him from our friendly interactions on my show but haven’t been in touch since mid-2018. His provocative takes often lack empirical backing but appeal to those feeling marginalized by dominant cultural narratives.
Censorship today is more subtle than ever before; it’s based on combating mis/disinformation rather than outright silencing—which can still effectively suppress certain viewpoints.
In conclusion, while freedom of speech remains largely intact online through platforms like Rumble and Odyssey, controversial opinions can still draw backlash akin to ancient tribal ostracism—an age-old consequence of challenging authority regardless of constitutional protections.
Influential figures like Niall Ferguson and Mike Benz gain more support by not sticking strictly to facts. Benz started the Foundation for Freedom online, claiming a vast collusion between government, academia, media, and tech companies in censoring speech. He alleged a social media censorship bureau targeted millions of Americans’ speech.
Renee DiResta offers a skeptical analysis that seems more fact-based but less emotionally appealing than Benz’s claims. According to Benz, an “AI censorship Death Star” led by Stanford’s Election Integrity Partnership was suppressing narratives during elections.
Mike Benz alleges that 22 million tweets were censored during the 2020 election due to government pressure on big tech companies. Despite these claims resonating emotionally with some conservatives, Renee DiRestaa’s factual approach appears more reliable.
Benz suggests his work exposes deep-seated conspiracies within powerful institutions aiming to control public discourse and influence elections through narrative manipulation rather than accuracy. His storytelling aligns with other right-wing influencers who prioritize engagement over truth.
The Election Integrity Project’s work has faced backlash from those it negatively impacts—mainly Republicans—who see it as partisan despite its self-perception as objective.
Conspiracy theories spread quickly online; debunking them is much harder. Mike Benz’s allegations have even reached congressional hearings where they’re presented as credible evidence without proper vetting.
Ultimately, this battle over information underscores how controlling narratives can sway public opinion and affect real-world events like elections or societal perceptions of freedom online.
I agree with Mike Benz’s politics.
In late 2018, Benz became Ben Carson’s speechwriter in the Trump administration. His online activities as “frame game radio” were exposed but didn’t hinder his role. During the Trump-Biden election, Pence worked with Stephen Miller on speeches for Mike Pence and sought evidence of voter fraud.
Pence then moved to a cyber policy role at the State Department for two months—a position he claims gave him expertise in this area. However, his brief tenure raises questions about the extent of his knowledge.
His report gained traction when conservative media covered it in September 2022, drawing Republican interest. Benz argued that government censorship was akin to outsourcing warfare—like Blackwater’s private military services.
In March 2023, during a Twitter discussion about January 6th events and censorship, Benz claimed to have key information on unprecedented global censorship efforts.
Critics argue that people like Benz present narratives without solid factual backing; they are more activists than experts. They cater to specific audiences’ needs rather than providing objective truths—a pattern seen across various domains where individuals may be disciplined in one aspect but reckless in another.
The narrative suggests a state-sponsored thought policing system instead of balancing free speech with democratic rights—an accusation lacking empirical support yet resonating with certain political circles due to its emotionally appealing nature.
Kip joins: You asked about convincing people to act against their interests. Most who joined the organization likely did so against their own benefit because they weren’t fully informed. There’s a lack of knowledge—knowns and unknowns—that affects decisions.
For example, I used sales tactics like urgency in memberships that wouldn’t print until later. This wasn’t always honest value, but it happens often in advertising on TV. People paid $300 for a membership that offered little more than a sticker for their business windows, which some valued highly due to perceived credibility.
In areas without Better Business Bureau recognition, its value was even less significant. Yet businesses sought this association for reputation enhancement despite limited actual benefits.
Luke: As for cultural impact over the last 25 years, America has produced influential TV shows and movies catering to universal human desires—whether lowbrow or highbrow—which explains the global reach of American entertainment.
Finally, regarding international conflicts and domestic issues like crime rates and social cohesion—the U.S., like any country, faces challenges when aligning policy with public sentiment or dealing with consequences abroad.
Traditionally, writers keep the rights to their work, but when working for someone else, your speech is no longer free—it’s directed by your employer. For example, a friend who was a free-market economist took a job advocating for subsidies she didn’t personally support; her output conflicted with her beliefs—a common scenario.
The First Amendment protects our right to shape and discuss the world in ways we find meaningful. However, commercial speech aims at profit rather than personal expression or values. Consequently, workplace writing lacks First Amendment protection because it serves an employer’s interests.
Personal writing has cultural prestige associated with creativity and intellect—writers benefit from this respect. Writing can also confer status through publication; authors are seen as authoritative figures contributing to societal growth.
On the internet though, writing holds less esteem compared to traditional publishing like books from renowned publishers such as HarperCollins. Online content often involves less originality—think blogs and social media posts—and blurs the line between writer and reader roles.
Writing publicly carries risks: exposure to criticism or legal issues can arise from what one publishes online. It’s important to note that public expression on social media can clash with court procedures designed to protect defendants’ rights by controlling jurors’ speech.
Lastly, newsrooms have changed due to social media—with reporters branding themselves personally beyond their professional articles—and this impacts how stories are covered due to public feedback on platforms like Twitter or Facebook.
Elliott Blatt joins: I tried real estate after the tech recession, becoming a rental agent in Boston. The job was tough; I had to rent substandard apartments and use manipulative sales tactics. One such tactic involved phrasing questions to make it hard for clients to disagree without feeling uncomfortable.
There was this building next to a graveyard that no one wanted until desperate times hit at the start of the school year. I showed an apartment there once and used those tricky sales phrases, but it didn’t sit right with me ethically.
My nature is too agreeable for cutthroat sales—I can’t just turn off my morals for a paycheck. Ironically, I met an ex-girlfriend while showing apartments; she’d probably say I’m funny but narcissistic.
At auto parts stores or farmers markets, humor helps me navigate interactions—even when discussing politics or dealing with people’s different reactions like laughter or silence.
Success in real estate can be lucrative despite ethical challenges. My brief stint taught me about manipulation and personal boundaries in business dealings.
Lastly, talking politics is easier with those who share your views compared to those on opposite sides—no need for eggshell walking among like-minded individuals.
The internet has changed dating, creating an inefficient market where the most desirable are overwhelmed with attention due to everyone using the same filters on apps like Tinder.
Women sometimes exhibit ‘token resistance’, a concept that reflects differing generational views on dating norms. Older generations may not understand this behavior, while younger people might be shocked by it.
Online identities can influence perceptions; individuals who express certain political or social views may attract specific followers. This dynamic is also seen in how men and women react to each other based on evolutionary psychology—each acting in their own interests.
Rejection, whether in romance or job hunting, eventually fades from memory. It’s the successes we remember and focus on as we move forward with our lives.
Books like “Uncommon People” explore themes of fame and lifestyle through stories of rock stars’ highs and lows, reflecting broader human experiences far beyond music alone.
In the early ’80s, artists didn’t have handlers to protect them from their own excesses. Their world was extreme, and many lived on the edge with drugs and alcohol. This lifestyle took its toll; James Honeyman-Scott of The Pretenders died of heart failure due to cocaine intolerance shortly after agreeing that bandmate Pete Farndon should be fired for heroin addiction. Farndon himself would die within a year.
The Dallas Cowboys struggled post-1978 as drug use became rampant in the team. In 1982, rock stars were scarce but many wanted the lifestyle – actors graced Rolling Stone covers emulating rock icons.
John Belushi died from a “speedball” mix of heroin and cocaine in March 1982, followed by music critic Lester Bangs’ accidental overdose in April. Bands often broke up due to internal conflicts and ego clashes while relying on an audience’s suspension of disbelief – once shattered by mishaps onstage, the illusion faded.
By mid-’80s, rock superstars resembled aristocrats with complex family structures reflecting wealth and power hierarchies. Teenage boys idolized this seemingly glamorous life paid for by fame.
Hard rock emphasized image over substance; Guns N’ Roses epitomized this look perfectly in 1987. As musicians battled addictions, therapy became part of their narrative – seeking public forgiveness for past transgressions.
The internet era signaled an end to traditional rock stardom by ’95; everyone could now star in their own digital lives. Prince stood out as an all-around talented artist who managed his image well into the ’90s.
Lastly, political discourse touched upon how progressives struggle with setting boundaries against radicals within their ranks leading to naivety about policies like equity which undermine personal property rights and free exchange principles fundamental to society’s functioning.
Buzz Feed Video: Voice coach Amy Chapman explains how to overcome monotone voice aka Kermit the Frog voice.
