The Jordan Harbinger Show 1192: Eliot Higgins | The Digital Detectives Making Dictators Sweat
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Aug 5, 2025 Eliot Higgins, founder of Bellingcat, reveals how ordinary citizens are using open-source intelligence to expose war crimes and misinformation. He shares innovative techniques like geolocation and chronolocation, allowing digital detectives to track military actions from social media. Higgin's work has revealed state-level deceptions, such as Russian involvement in high-profile incidents. He discusses threats Bellingcat faces, including hacking and disinformation, while advocating for the importance of media literacy and citizen journalism.
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MH17 Missile Launcher Geolocation
- Bellingcat geolocated a missile launcher involved in MH17 downing using photos, videos, and satellite imagery.
- They combined social media, Google Maps, and dashboard camera videos to confirm precise locations and timings.
Politicians Lack Conflict Insight
- Politicians had less understanding of Syrian conflict than hobbyists analyzing social media.
- Policy debates were often based on opinions or recent columns, not verified facts.
Democracy Crises Rooted in Trust
- Public distrust in democracy arises when truth, deliberation, and accountability systems fail.
- Events like the Iraq War and 2008 financial crisis exemplify failures in democratic functions.
