In this captivating discussion, Peter Pomerantsev, a disinformation expert and author, delves into his latest work on information warfare. He shares insights from his research on Sefton Delmer, a journalist who crafted unique methods to combat Nazi propaganda. The conversation spans Pomerantsev's experiences in Russia's media landscape, the psychology behind propaganda, and the use of emotional manipulation in wartime communications. He emphasizes the importance of fostering community and independent thought to resist oppressive narratives, drawing parallels to today's challenges.
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Pomerantsev's Background
Peter Pomerantsev worked in Russian reality TV during the early 2000s, witnessing the rise of a new authoritarianism.
This experience informed his first book, Nothing Is True and Everything Is Possible, exploring disinformation and propaganda.
insights INSIGHT
Delmer's Approach
Pomerantsev's third book focuses on Sefton Delmer, who used unconventional methods to counter Nazi propaganda.
Delmer believed in fighting fire with fire, rather than relying on traditional truth-telling.
question_answer ANECDOTE
Delmer's Access to Nazis
Sefton Delmer, fluent in German, gained the Nazis' trust and witnessed Hitler's propaganda machine firsthand.
This inside knowledge proved crucial in his later work subverting Nazi propaganda.
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In this book, Peter Pomerantsev recounts his experiences working in the Russian TV industry, where he encountered a world of professional killers, Kremlin puppet-masters, suicidal supermodels, and oligarch revolutionaries. The book is a kaleidoscopic series of anecdotes and vignettes that reveal the corruption, decadence, and rapid changes in post-Soviet Russia. Pomerantsev's observations highlight the subtle yet powerful form of dictatorship that has emerged under the Putin regime, challenging the West with its unique blend of illusion, glamor, and authoritarian control.
This Is Not Propaganda
Adventures in the War Against Reality
Peter Pomeransev
In 'This Is Not Propaganda,' Peter Pomerantsev delves into the world of disinformation and propaganda, exploring how these tactics have been used to shape reality and undermine democracy. The book blends reportage, family history, and intellectual adventure, taking readers from Russia to the Philippines, Ukraine, and the United States. Pomerantsev meets various figures, including Twitter revolutionaries, pop-up populists, and 'behavioral change' salesmen, to understand the mechanisms of modern propaganda. He argues that the manipulation of truth is a global issue, not limited to Russia, and that it affects individuals' deepest thoughts and feelings. The book also discusses efforts to counter these propaganda techniques and restore faith in democracy and factual information.
How to Win an Information War
The Propagandist Who Outwitted Hitler
Peter Pomeransev
In this special bonus episode, Dave interviews author Peter Pomerantsev about his new book "How to Win an Information War: The Propagandist Who Outwitted Hitler." The book explores the work of Sefton Delmer, a journalist who developed unique ways to destabilize Hitler's propaganda programming. Their conversation was recorded on October 28, 2024, at Bird In Hand Books in Baltimore, Maryland.
Pomerantsev is the author of two other books on disinformation and propaganda, "Nothing Is True and Everything is Possible," and "This Is Not Propaganda." He is currently based at the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University.
Pomerantsev also delivered a TED Talk at TEDxMidAtlantic in Washington, D.C. in June 2024.
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