Lost in the Far-Right Funhouse – How bots and fakes create a false, angry Britain

Social media’s sewer pipe of white nationalism, conspiracy thought and violent far-right incitement is seeping into mainstream politics. But where is all this extremism coming from? Who’s creating it? Is anyone on political social media not a bot? And what are we going to do about it? Special guest Olivia Brown from the University of Bath explains how a tiny number of far-right accounts weaponise tragedies like Southport and use AI and engagement tricks to fake grassroots, us-vs-them banter. The goal: to warp Britain’s perception of what’s normal. 📳 Hear Paul Merton on Experience is Everything – Brought to you by Saga.  🎄Get 20% off a year’s support for Oh God, What Now? until Christmas – whether you’re a new backer, renewing or upgrading.  ESCAPE ROUTES • Olivia recommends The Guardian Football Weekly podcast.  • Jonn recommends Don’t Burn Anyone at the Stake Today by Naomi Alderman.  • Zoë recommends Sandwich by Catherine Newman. When you buy books through our affiliate bookshop, you help fund OGWN by earning us a small commission for every sale. Bookshop.org’s fees help support independent bookshops too.  • Head to nakedwines.co.uk/ohgodwhatnow to get a £30 voucher and 6 top-rated wines from our sponsor Naked Wines for £39.99, delivery included. • Get our exclusive NordVPN deal at nordvpn.com/ohgodwhatnow. It’s risk-free with Nord’s 30-day money back guarantee!  www.patreon.com/ohgodwhatnow Presented by Zoë Grünewald with Jonn Elledge. Produced by Chris Jones. Audio and Video Production by: Chris Jones Art direction: James Parrett. Theme tune by Cornershop. Managing Editor: Jacob Jarvis. Group Editor: Andrew Harrison. OH GOD, WHAT NOW? is a Podmasters production. www.podmasters.co.uk  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices