A Deep Dive: The Enduring Role of Misinformation in Shaping American History

In this episode of My Two Cents: History & Culture Deep Dives, our AI hosts take a look at the enduring—and often dangerous—role of misinformation in shaping the American narrative. While we often think of "fake news" as a symptom of the social media age, this deep dive reveals that deliberate deception has been woven into the fabric of American society since its colonial origins.Based on the article by host Ed Odom at mytwocents.press, we explore how false narratives have been systematically used to justify territorial expansion, maintain oppressive social hierarchies, and influence political outcomes. From the foundational lie of terra nullius to the modern "Big Lie" of the 2020 election, we trace the evolution of disinformation and its persistent threat to a well-informed populace.What you’ll hear in this episode:The "Original Sins": How the concepts of terra nullius and racial stereotypes were used as tools of colonization and the maintenance of slavery.The Industrialization of Falsehood: How 19th-century "yellow journalism" and 20th-century wartime propaganda transformed lies into a profitable and politically powerful industry.The Weaponization of Ignorance: A look at the historical and modern assault on education, from anti-literacy laws to the current push to censor curricula and ban books.The Modern Paradox: Why the current political-economic model makes disinformation a highly effective and profitable tactic for consolidating power.About the Podcast:My Two Cents: History & Culture Deep Dives explores the untold stories of Black history and tackles historical inaccuracies. Based on the blog mytwocents.press, this show features deep-dive conversations into social justice and the hard truths of our shared past.Connect with Us:Read the original article: https://mytwocents.press/2025/09/13/the-enduring-role-of-misinformation-in-shaping-american-history/