The Nerd Reich From Mavericks to Mouthpieces: How Tech Billionaires Broke Journalism (with Eoin Higgins)
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Apr 9, 2025 
Join journalist Eoin Higgins, author of "Owned," as he exposes how tech billionaires like Elon Musk and Peter Thiel are reshaping journalism and public discourse. Higgins discusses the alarming trend of influential journalists, such as Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi, shifting to right-wing narratives driven by funding and influence. The conversation dives into the hypocrisy of 'free speech' being weaponized while genuine dissent is suppressed and how traditional media struggles against billionaire-funded platforms. It's a candid look at the evolving landscape of media and democracy.
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Book's Genesis
- Eoin Higgins's book, "Owned," stemmed from articles he wrote about tech billionaires' media control and journalists' shift to the right.
- The book evolved to cover the history of tech, politics, and the increasing influence of billionaires.
Journalistic Shift
- Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi, once left-leaning journalists, now serve right-wing interests.
- Their transformations illustrate a broader trend of wealthy individuals manipulating media narratives.
Taibbi's Downfall
- Matt Taibbi's criticism of the Russia-gate narrative and subsequent "cancellation" led to a rightward shift.
- His anti-vaccine stance and involvement with the "Twitter Files" solidified his new political alignment.
