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Bad Faith

Episode 415 - Psy-Ops Everywhere (w/ Esha Krishnaswamy)

Oct 17, 2024
Esha Krishnaswamy, an insightful attorney and writer, joins for a compelling discussion on the U.S. government's covert cultural influence. She delves into how art and music have been used as tools for political maneuvering, especially post-WWII. The conversation touches on the pressures artists face when dissenting against narratives and the impact of government financing on creative freedom. Krishnaswamy also critiques the challenges for grassroots movements and emphasizes the necessity for organized actions to drive meaningful societal change.
01:00:09

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Quick takeaways

  • The U.S. government's history of using culture as a political tool often diverts attention from serious systemic injustices and oppression.
  • Post-World War II strategies involved promoting abstract art and music like jazz to reshape America's global image while masking domestic issues.

Deep dives

Cultural Manipulation by Government Agencies

Government agencies, particularly the U.S. national security apparatus, have a long history of using culture as a means of political influence. This approach often involves funding and promoting certain cultural expressions to divert attention from oppressive realities. For instance, the establishment of a pop group that combines a half-Palestinian and half-Israeli identity serves to dilute discussions about the serious issues of ethnic cleansing and oppression in Gaza. Such strategies aim to promote narratives of unity and peace, steering the conversation away from systemic injustices.

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