Propaganda Paradox
Is the world being manipulated? It feels like overnight, old political ideas have resurfaced, fueled by a sophisticated blend of propaganda, media manipulation, PR stunts, and targeted marketing. Behind the headlines, a complex web of influence is shaping our opinions and driving our actions. But you don't have to be a victim. Join us as we unravel the tactics used to control public discourse, and learn how to navigate this turbulent landscape with critical thinking and discernment. Together, we can reclaim our power and shape a future free from manipulation.
Episodes
26 episodes
Ep 20 - It's Over
We focused last episode on how AI works. And for a lot of people, there has been a worry that we need to stop AI or else it will take over. But the truth is that what we call AI has not only already taken over, but been embedded in our society ...
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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26:47
Bonus Episode - Trump's Tariffs
To understand the president’s thinking, you have to go back to where he’s from–Queens.This was recorded on April 3, 2025
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Season 2
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15:09
Ep 19 - AI Is Social Cement
Now that we understand the makers, their beliefs, their successors, and how they impart their worldview into our technology, we need to force our focus to the newest “it” trend in tech today, AI. How does it impact our world, and how is it alre...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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53:11
Bonus Episode - At The Door
You’re walking home. You’re tired; you’re hungry; you just want to go inside. And then five plainclothes cops are waiting by the front door, asking you if they can come into your apartment complex. What do you do?*This was recorded on Ma...
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Season 2
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Episode 22
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58:11
Bonus Episode - What Democrats Should Do
If the Democrats could wave a magic wand and be in full control of government, what would they do? Yea, they don’t know, either. Join us for a modest proposal.
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Season 2
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Episode 21
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12:38
Ep 18 - American Blue Bloods
Now that we’ve discussed the true reach and impact of Silicon Valley, as well as how this very type of person was created, we’re going to take a deeper dive into what Silicon Valley’s reach has meant and continues to mean to our society....
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Season 2
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Episode 20
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48:42
Bonus Episode - Silo Season 2
New Mic! New season of Silo to discuss! Listen as our obsession with our new favorite show reaches dizzying new heights. Join us as we dive into Season 2 with aplomb! And remember: We do not know who built the Silo. We do not know why everythin...
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Season 2
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Episode 19
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53:55
Ep 17 - Who We’ve Always Been
Understanding what libertarianism is, and the people who founded and continue to back Silicon Valley, is but one important feature. How does it impact us not only on a day-to-day level, but also holistically? What does this philosophy do to the...
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Season 2
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Episode 17
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42:58
Bonus Episode: A Defense of Capitalism and Big Government
Working on a podcast can take up a lot of time. What happens when Elliot catches up on the news and The Daily Show? He has thoughts.
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Season 2
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Episode 18
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13:01
Ep 16 - Libertarians: The Self-Eaters
Now that we’ve described this person and how they succeed in Silicon Valley, let’s take a step back and analyze what they mean when they proclaim to be an economic libertarian. What does that mean? How does it apply? Who does it benefit? Who do...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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48:51
Bonus Episode - Silo Season 1
This started as a mic check but it devolved into a deep analytical conversation about our recent favorite show on Apple TV: Silo Season 1SPOILER ALERT! If you haven't watched Silo Season 1 yet, go watch it and then come back to listen to...
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Season 2
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Episode 16
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35:05
Ep 15 - The Guy In The Corner
Millennials were taught through the media and the cultural celebration of the first tech boom that nerds were undervalued, sweet people who absorbed all of the bullies of their lives and pushed this into technological creations that would push ...
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Season 2
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Episode 15
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57:57
Ep 14 - Follow The Money
Whether you like it or not–whether you identify as a capitalist, anarchist, socialist, communist, or any other economic form–there is one rule that is true, it’s always about the money. You want to know why things are the way they are? Follow t...
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Season 2
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Episode 14
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43:22
Ep 13 - A Solution
So how do we institute this mindset? Thankfully, we are blessed to be part of a Western Civilization that spans thousands upon thousands of years. And while initially reacted to as counter-intuitive, we can see the value by going further back i...
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Season 2
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Episode 13
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32:03
Ep 12 - The Problem
Welcome to Season 2! Now that the last election is behind us–and we’ve had time to process/vent at the sheer idiocy displayed by both parties–it’s worth a moment to take a step back and assess what has led us to this moment.
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Season 2
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Episode 12
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35:39
Ep 11 - Hate To Say I Told You So
America was prepared for any outcome this election, but could anyone have prepared you for that?!? Oh, that’s right, we did! (And we did try to warn you.) In this episode, host Elliot Touretz and producer/co-host Tun Myaing react to former Pres...
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Season 1
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Episode 11
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49:01
Ep 10 - Is The Joke On Us?
Is Satire/humor even an effective strategy to combat misinformation? Is this equivalent to ignoring it, or worse? Does this cause larger problems? In this episode, host Elliot Touretz and producer/co-host Tun Myaing discuss the tenth and final ...
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Season 1
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Episode 10
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30:40
Ep 9 - How Do We Fight This?
What do we do against people who are using these tactics (business, politics, identity) as weapons? In this episode, host Elliot Touretz and producer/co-host Tun Myaing discuss the ninth rule of this 10 part course: Morality Isn’t Real.
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Season 1
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Episode 9
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23:07
Ep 8 - It's Everywhere
Now, everyone can self-identify as a victim. What does that do to a culture that no longer sees or values minority experiences? In this episode, host Elliot Touretz and producer/co-host Tun Myaing discuss the eighth rule of this 10 part course:...
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Season 1
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Episode 8
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49:58
Ep 7 - See My Truth
We’ve come a long way, but now that we celebrate everyone’s perspective, what happens when bad-faith actors use the language of the oppressed against the genuinely oppressed? In this episode, host Elliot Touretz and producer/co-host Tun Myaing ...
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Season 1
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Episode 7
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36:55
Ep 6 - Kick 'em When They're Down
We shift gears and reexamine how demographics most commonly used for expressing identity have been used against historically oppressed minorities to ensure the status quo is maintained. In this episode, host Elliot Touretz and producer/co-host ...
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Season 1
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Episode 6
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27:02
Ep 5 - You're Not Arguing Against Anyone
Too often people think they can “win” by out-maneuvering and disproving the talking points of the other side. When does rhetoric cede to power? In this episode, host Elliot Touretz and producer/co-host Tun Myaing discuss the fifth rule of this ...
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Season 1
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Episode 5
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30:22
Ep 4 - Ain't No School Like The Old School
To understand the appeals of politicians and power, you need to go back to the Ancient rhetorical strategies. It all starts at the beginning. In this episode, host Elliot Touretz and producer/co-host Tun Myaing discuss the fourth rule of this 1...
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Season 1
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Episode 4
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26:37
Ep 3 - Be The Brand
Looking at basic marketing tactics to understand why selling a product/brand/idea/person is one and the same. In this episode, host Elliot Touretz and producer/co-host Tun Myaing discuss the third rule of this 10 part course: You’re Not You; Yo...
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Season 1
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Episode 3
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39:37
Ep 2 - Whoever Has The Most Fun, Wins
No matter the area, if you’re having fun, you’re winning. Looking at commercials and overall marketing tactics, we see how/why laughter and fun are profitable. In this episode, host Elliot Touretz and producer/co-host Tun Myaing discuss the sec...
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Season 1
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Episode 2
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23:34