

48: Breaking The Frame with Billy Ray
Apr 10, 2024
Screenwriter and director Billy Ray discusses his work on movies like 'Breach' and 'Shattered Glass' and delves into understanding characters like Robert Hansen. The conversation covers deception, confirmation bias, effective messaging for Democrats, LGBTQ+ rights, and the importance of addressing local issues in politics.
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The Contradictions of Robert Hanssen
- Jen Rubin and Billy Ray discuss the film Breach, about Robert Hanssen, a seemingly devout Catholic who spied for the Soviet Union.
- Ray highlights the contradictions in Hanssen's character, emphasizing how his actions defied his professed beliefs.
Institutions and Individuals
- Institutions are ultimately comprised of individuals, and these individuals can possess flawed judgment or malicious intent.
- Both Hanssen and Stephen Glass, a journalist who fabricated stories, evaded suspicion by appearing meticulous and holding others to high standards.
Confirmation Bias and Deception
- People are often duped due to confirmation bias; they readily accept narratives aligning with their existing beliefs.
- This was evident in Trump's 2016 campaign, where he validated the anxieties and prejudices of a specific segment of the population.