Stuff They Don't Want You To Know CLASSIC: The Rise of the Agent Provocateur
Oct 23, 2025
This episode dives into the power of protests as a constitutional right and explores the role of agent provocateurs in subverting movements. The hosts dissect historical and modern tactics used to discredit protests, including COINTELPRO strategies and astroturfing. Listeners learn practical safety tips for participation, as well as the importance of verifying claims in the age of digital disinformation. Plus, they clarify the complex term 'Antifa' and highlight the challenges posed by online manipulation.
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Protest As A Constitutional Safety Valve
- The First Amendment guarantees the right to peaceably assemble and petition the government.
- Protests become vital when other channels for change have collapsed or been compromised.
Media Framing Can Bury The Movement
- Powerful actors try to control protest narratives by focusing media attention on violence and property damage.
- That framing shifts public conversation away from protesters' demands toward sensational incidents.
Leadership And Accounts Can Be Manufactured
- Movements can be co-opted by manufactured leaders or fake online accounts steering discussion.
- Foreign and domestic programs have historically used such tactics to manipulate protests and public opinion.