This podcast discusses the censorship laws worldwide and their implications. It also delves into the Russell Brand situation and the importance of not jumping to conclusions. The urgent political landscape is explored, along with the EU's Digital Services Act and the rollout of the UNDP's I Verify tool. The chapter also touches on total surveillance, self-censorship, and resistance against digital currencies and IDs.
The distinction between anti-authoritarianism and pro-authoritarianism is becoming more important than left versus right in politics today, challenging traditional definitions.
Technocratic governance poses a threat to the rule of law, with global censorship standards and control over online speech being enforced through laws like the Digital Services Act.
The trend of information control, facilitated by initiatives like fact-checking and surveillance tools, threatens individual privacy and undermines democratic values.
Deep dives
The Rise of Anti-Authoritarianism
The podcast discusses the rise of anti-authoritarianism as a significant distinction in politics today. The speaker emphasizes that the key factor is no longer left versus right, but rather the stance towards establishment and anti-establishment ideologies. This shift in political landscape challenges the traditional definitions and aligns more with the anti-authoritarian versus pro-authoritarian or anti-establishment versus pro-established perspectives. The importance of understanding this distinction is highlighted as it affects the discourse on issues like censorship, disinformation, and the erosion of rule of law.
The Dangers of Technocratic Governance
The podcast warns about the escalating dangers of technocratic governance and the erosion of rule of law. It highlights how governments and institutions, such as the European Union, are using laws such as the Digital Services Act (DSA) to enforce global censorship standards and control online speech. Examples are provided, such as the enforcement of EU rules on non-European platforms, the development of automated anti-disinformation tools, and the normalization of an anti-disinformation discourse that favors political elites. The concerns raised include the loss of privacy, the potential for abuse of power, and the suppression of dissenting voices.
The Shift towards Information Control
The podcast delves into the growing trend of information control and its impact on societies. It highlights the rollout of tools like IVerify by the United Nations and fact-checking initiatives in various countries, which aim to combat disinformation but also raise concerns about surveillance and the curtailment of freedom of speech. The speaker emphasizes the significance of the changing language around concepts like transparency, which has been reversed to imply that individuals should be transparent to the government, eroding the once-positive association of transparency as a tool for holding governments accountable. The implications of such information control are considered disturbing, as it threatens individual privacy and undermines democratic values.
Financial Pressure on Anti-Establishment Actors
The podcast episode discusses the danger of financial pressure on anti-establishment actors. It highlights how platforms, like GoFundMe and PayPal, have the ability to disable actors by cutting off their funding. This has been observed with figures such as Nigel Farage and organizations like The Grayzone. The episode emphasizes that financial pressure is a key mechanism used by the establishment to silence and control those who challenge the mainstream narrative.
The Rise of Misinformation and Disinformation Laws
The podcast delves into the rising concerns surrounding misinformation and disinformation laws. The episode specifically highlights the developments in Canada, Australia, and the EU, where governments are imposing regulations to combat the spread of false information. It explores the potential implications of these laws, such as the stifling of free speech and the potential for bias in determining what constitutes misinformation. The podcast emphasizes that these laws have the power to dictate truth and restrict alternative viewpoints, which threatens democracy and individuals' ability to critically engage with information.
This week I had been meaning to do a World Without Sin solo show on the censorship laws rolling out around the world and their implications.
Then, as we all know by now, whatever is going on with Russel Brand started happening, so we begin our story there. (It's worth noting I recorded this about 24 hours ago, before YouTube demonetised his channel.)
Today's episode is a bit of a read-along so you may wish to watch the video version. Of course, all accommodation is made for the audio folks as well. No child left behind. We explore some of our looming technological dystopia and then finish off with some tactics on what to do about it.
