Michael Malice, an insightful author and political commentator known for his works on North Korea and anarchy, dives into the impact of totalitarianism on media and society. He argues for a more anarchist approach to governance, suggesting that essentials like education and security may thrive outside government control. The conversation critiques the influence of elite institutions on democracy and highlights the resilience required to navigate today's political landscape amidst misinformation. Malice's blend of humor and critical thought keeps the discussion both entertaining and thought-provoking.
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insights INSIGHT
Communism Fails In Practice
The phrase "communism works in theory" is meaningless without reality as proof.
Repeated practical failures show totalitarian governments inevitably cause suffering.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Absurd Indoctrination in North Korea
North Korean children are taught absurd stories glorifying their leaders from a young age.
Questioning these stories carries severe consequences for them and their families.
insights INSIGHT
Berlin Wall's True Nature
The Berlin Wall encircled West Berlin, trapping people and symbolizing extreme oppression.
Its fall was a profound example of tyranny being overcome in modern times.
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The Gulag Archipelago is a three-volume series written by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, exploring the Soviet labour camp system through a mix of historical narrative, personal accounts, and literary investigation. The book traces the history of the Gulag from Vladimir Lenin's decrees to the era of Nikita Khrushchev, detailing the arrest, conviction, transport, and imprisonment of prisoners. It includes Solzhenitsyn's own experiences as a Gulag prisoner and accounts from other inmates, highlighting the brutal conditions, forced labor, and the psychological and physical suffering of the prisoners. The work is a testament to the human spirit's struggle against evil and serves as a comprehensive critique of the Soviet regime's use of terror against its population[2][5][3].
Dear Reader
The Unauthorized Autobiography of Kim Jong Il
Michael Malice
Atlas Shrugged
Ayn Rand
Published in 1957, 'Atlas Shrugged' is Ayn Rand's magnum opus and her longest novel. The story is set in a dystopian United States where increasingly burdensome laws and regulations strangle innovation and productivity. The plot follows Dagny Taggart, a railroad executive, and Hank Rearden, a steel magnate, as they struggle against 'looters' who exploit their work. A mysterious figure named John Galt leads a strike of productive individuals, persuading them to abandon their companies and disappear. The novel culminates with Galt's three-hour radio speech explaining his philosophy of Objectivism, which emphasizes rational self-interest, individual rights, and the importance of the human mind. The book explores themes of capitalism, property rights, and the failures of governmental coercion, presenting a provocative vision of a society in collapse and the potential for a new capitalist society based on Galt's principles.
The White Pill
Michael Malice
1989
Val McDermid
In '1989', Val McDermid continues her historical crime series with Allie Burns, an investigative journalist now running the northern news operation of the Sunday Globe. The story unfolds against the backdrop of the Lockerbie bombing, the AIDS crisis, and seismic changes behind the Iron Curtain. As Allie delves into a murder and other mysteries, she must confront her own certainties. The novel seamlessly blends historical context with suspenseful mystery, making it a compelling read for fans of crime fiction.
The Orphan Master's Son
Adam Johnson
The Orphan Master's Son follows Pak Jun Do, a young man raised in an orphanage, as he navigates the harsh realities of North Korea. The novel is a blend of thriller, love story, and dystopian satire, offering a unique perspective on life under totalitarian rule. Through Jun Do's experiences, the book explores the resilience of the human spirit and the power of storytelling in the face of oppression.
Michael Malice, the popular podcaster and author, reminds us that tyranny can be defeated. It’s been done before.
In this podcast, Malice shares stories of life under totalitarian regimes, and explains how the media was often complicit in totalitarianism.
Malice’s distrust in government is why he’s calls himself an anarchist.
He makes the case that things like food, education, and even security, are better left in private hands.
“Maybe we don't need government at all,” he says. “When you have something as important as security or anything, food, education, to have it at the purview of a monopoly, let alone a government monopoly, makes no sense."
I’m skeptical that the private sector would do all those things better. So we debate those issues and more.
The John Stossel Interviews 
