Discussion on government efforts to control digital speech and the close relationship between federal entities and digital platforms. The involvement of former government individuals in actions such as deplatforming Trump and the shift in understanding of free speech. Exploring the establishment and subsequent dissolution of the disinformation governance board by the Biden administration. Challenges faced by Republicans in the upcoming election due to social media censorship and the impact of Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter on online speech control.
The podcast explores the increasing government efforts to control digital speech, including collusion between federal entities and social media platforms to silence American citizens without legislation.
The podcast highlights the shift in how speech is perceived, as progressive individuals now view society as the primary threat to American governance and advocate for government intervention in conversations to protect the public from lies.
Deep dives
The New Censorship: Government's Control of Digital Speech
The podcast episode discusses the increasing efforts by the government to control digital speech and highlights the collaboration between federal entities and digital platforms to police online speech. The podcast mentions the testimony of journalists Matt Taiby and Michael Schalemberger, who revealed internal documents known as the Twitter files. The documents uncovered an elaborate multi-agency system of censorship, orchestrated by the White House, that involved bullying social media platforms into canceling posts and silencing American citizens without prior debate or legislation. This censorship apparatus reached its peak during Joe Biden's presidency, with many individuals from intelligence and law enforcement agencies transitioning to work for social media platforms.
The Shift in Understanding Speech and Democracy
The podcast explores the shift in how speech is perceived, particularly among the progressive left, who now view society as the primary threat to American governance. This view contrasts with the traditional Jeffersonian concept that emphasized the power of the government as the primary threat to liberty. The podcast highlights how these individuals perceive the majority of the public as easily manipulated and in need of government intervention in the conversation to protect them from lies. The media is seen as playing a supportive role in advocating for government control instead of holding it accountable for abuses of power.
Involvement of NGOs and the Failure of the Disinformation Governance Board
The podcast mentions the involvement of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in justifying censorship and the centralization of government attempts to shape online narratives through the establishment of the Disinformation Governance Board. The rise of these organizations can be traced back to 2016 and the elites' realization that they were being held in contempt by the public. These organizations promote the idea that disinformation is a threat to democracy and advocate for government intervention. However, the establishment left's bubble has prevented them from recognizing the opposition and public's rejection of such control. The podcast recounts the short-lived existence of the Disinformation Governance Board, highlighting the appointment of individuals with misinformation and questionable backgrounds as examples of its failure.
The Future of Social Media and the Challenges for Republicans
Looking ahead to the 2024 presidential election, the podcast suggests that the outcome will have a significant impact on the future of digital speech. The Republicans face a dilemma as they need the presidency to be heard above censorship, but censorship diminishes their chances of winning. The acquisition of Twitter by Elon Musk poses a potential obstacle to progressive control of online speech. However, the left still dominates the cultural landscape with control over mainstream media outlets. The podcast anticipates a political battle over censorship rather than a legal one, with the Republicans facing challenges in reaching a wider audience while Democrats enjoy the advantage of controlling most of the chips.
