Investigative reporter Lee Fang discusses the influence of money in politics, security state overreach, and civil liberties. They delve into the concept of a deep state, collusion between Twitter and the US security state, partisan censorship by the Department of Homeland Security, FBI contractors and surveillance, corporate wokeness as a PR tactic, flaws of ESG investing, and the influence of artificial intelligence on journalism.
Wokeness has become a successful PR tactic for corporations to advance their interests and resist regulations or policies that may impact their profits.
Media coverage of the Ukraine conflict lacks nuance and diversity, limiting public discourse and exploration of alternative approaches.
The partnership between wokeness and corporate power raises questions about the authenticity and effectiveness of social justice efforts in the corporate world.
Deep dives
Wokeness and Corporate Power
The phenomenon of corporate wokeism, where multinational corporations espouse woke values while pursuing ruthless profit-driven agendas, is a perplexing development. In the past, wokeness would have been seen as anti-corporate, but now it has become a public relations tactic for corporations to shape public opinion without sacrificing their bottom line. By aligning with woke values, corporations can deflect criticism and appeal to left-leaning consumers. This tactic allows them to advance their own interests and resist regulations or policies that may impact their profits. It has become a successful strategy, especially among Democratic or left-leaning voters who are more sympathetic to these arguments.
The Lack of Nuanced Debate on Ukraine Conflict
The media's coverage of the Ukraine conflict lacks nuance and diversity of opinion. Instead of discussing diplomatic solutions, the focus remains on supplying arms and supporting a military victory for Ukraine. There is little room for debate or exploration of alternative approaches to resolving the conflict. The media's bias towards a jingoistic perspective limits public discourse and prevents a more robust discussion around potential negotiated settlements. Hearing from the Ukrainian people, who are most affected by the conflict, and exploring diplomatic avenues could lead to a more nuanced understanding of the situation.
The Marriage of Wokeness and Corporate Power
The partnership between wokeness and corporate power is a perplexing and concerning phenomena. Multinational corporations have embraced woke values and used them as a PR tactic to shape public opinion without sacrificing their profits. This tactic allows them to deflect criticism and appeal to left-leaning consumers, all while pursuing ruthless profit-driven agendas. Wokeness has become a tool for corporations to advance their interests and resist regulations or policies that may impact their bottom line. The marriage of wokeness and corporate power raises questions about the authenticity and effectiveness of social justice efforts in the corporate world.
The Use of Private Contractors for Surveillance
The podcast discusses the role of private contractors in the threat intelligence industry, which specializes in surveillance of online communities such as the dark net and private forums. These contractors create fake identities to gain the trust of forum admins and gather information on potential threat actors. The FBI contracts with these firms, using their intelligence reports for government purposes. However, this raises concerns about privacy rights and the Fourth Amendment, as it allows for intimate surveillance of political organizations without the need for warrants or probable cause.
The Manipulation of Identity Politics in Corporate Interests
The podcast highlights the use of identity politics by corporations to enhance their public image and divert attention from other unethical practices. Companies fund diverse organizations and make donations to certain causes to portray themselves as socially conscious and progressive, while their actions may contradict these claims. The podcast specifically mentions the example of corporations using identity politics to defeat drug price lowering initiatives and maintain control over their profits. These tactics exploit social justice movements and create a false perception of corporate responsibility.
My guest today is Lee Fang. Lee Fang is an investigative reporter, formerly of The Intercept and The Nation. His writing is focused on the influence of money in politics, security state overreach, and civil liberties. He was also responsible for releasing part of the Twitter files many months ago.
In this episode, we talk about the wide breadth of Lee's work, including his early reporting about the Koch brothers. We talk about whether there is a deep state, we talk about the collusion between Twitter and the US security state that was revealed in the Twitter files, and much more.
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