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Intelligence Squared

Trump, Podcasters and the New Age of Confusion, with Jamie Bartlett

Nov 17, 2024
Join author and journalist Jamie Bartlett, known for his insightful works on tech and politics, as he dives into the transformative impact of podcasts and social media on public discourse. He explores how Donald Trump capitalized on engagement algorithms to shape political narratives. Bartlett highlights the rise of citizen journalism and the challenges it poses to traditional media. He discusses the emotional influence of unedited media on democracy and emphasizes the need for improved information literacy in today’s evolving digital landscape.
46:44

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Podcasters have reshaped political engagement by satisfying the public's preference for unfiltered and authentic long-form discussions over traditional, polished media interactions.
  • The rise of alternative media, fueled by skepticism towards mainstream journalism, highlights a growing public divide and challenges traditional media's credibility amidst a chaotic information landscape.

Deep dives

The Impact of Information Ecosystems on Politics

The changing nature of information ecosystems significantly influences political landscapes. The podcast discusses how figures like Donald Trump adeptly utilized engagement-based algorithms, leveraging emotive and appealing content to gain traction in the 2016 election. This contrasts with less effective efforts by the Democrats, who struggled to adapt to the evolving media environment. The overall chaotic and confusing information landscape has fostered a preference for straightforward, authoritative figures who provide clear answers amidst the chaos.

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