Propaganda Paradox

Now that we acknowledged that the moment to stop Machine Learning and AI integration into our lives has long passed us–nearly 15 years ago–we can begin to move forward and recognize that all hope is not lost.Send us Fan Mail

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 for years.This episode was recorded on April 7, 2025Send us Fan Mail

To understand the president’s thinking, you have to go back to where he’s from–Queens.This was recorded on April 3, 2025Send us Fan Mail

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 already being used against us?This episode was recorded on March 27, 2025Send us Fan Mail

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 March 24, 2025Send us Fan Mail

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.Send us Fan Mail

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.Send us Fan Mail

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 everything outside the Silo is as it is. We only know that day is not today. (Warning: Season 2 Spoilers!)Send us Fan Mail

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 average person?Send us Fan Mail

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.Send us Fan Mail

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 does it leave out? And how does this philosophy impact our daily lives?Send us Fan Mail

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 this episode. Enjoy!Send us Fan Mail

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 us into a new, progressive era. But we should remember that elevating a class, any class of people, will always yield results that will disappoint. Send us Fan Mail

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 the money. You want to know who is benefitting from a certain newly-designed program? Follow the money. You want to know what is valued in our society? Again, it’s all about money. Send us Fan Mail

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 in time to when the humanities were first taught in Western Society.Send us Fan Mail

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.Send us Fan Mail

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 President Donald Trump winning a second term with a multiracial coalition, what it means for the Republican Party, what it means for the Democratic Party, and where things go from here.Send us Fan Mail

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 rule of this 10 part course: Only Power Beats Power.Send us Fan Mail

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.Send us Fan Mail

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: Everything Can’t Be Everything.Send us Fan Mail

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 discuss the seventh rule of this 10 part course: If You Can’t Beat them, Become Them.Send us Fan Mail

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 Tun Myaing discuss the sixth rule of this 10 part course: Division Is Conquered.Send us Fan Mail

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 10 part course: Curation Is Identification.Send us Fan Mail

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 10 part course: We Are Not An Intelligent Species. We Are A Passionate Species.Send us Fan Mail

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; You’re An Idea.Send us Fan Mail

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 second rule of this 10 part course: Whoever Has The Most Fun, Wins.Send us Fan Mail

How we perceive the political/cultural divide in our society is the reason why we misunderstand each other. What is left vs. right? Why do we follow politics like we follow sports? And how is that bad? In this episode, host Elliot Touretz and producer/co-host Tun Myaing discuss the first rule of this 10 part course: Politics Is A Circle, Not A Line.Send us Fan Mail