The Daily Show: Ears Edition Replay | The Early Internet & 9/11 Conspiracies | Jordan Klepper Fingers the Conspiracy
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Aug 15, 2025 Join Jordan Klepper as he dives into the world of 9/11 conspiracy theories with Dr. Joan Donovan, a Harvard expert on media manipulation, and Korey Rowe, a filmmaker behind the viral hit 'Loose Change.' They explore the origins of these theories, emphasizing how the internet and media have shaped public perception. From discussing the political weaponization of conspiracy theories to the evolution of online discourse, the trio challenges us to think critically about misinformation and the role of journalism in our digital age.
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9/11 Launched Digital Conspiracy Culture
- September 11th catalyzed the modern digital conspiracy ecosystem and memorable phrases like "jet fuel can't melt steel beams" became sticky shorthand.
- Those phrases served as rallying memes that helped disparate communities cohere and persist online.
Hyperlink Web Encouraged Radical Skepticism
- The early internet was pre-social-media, driven by hyperlinks and high‑speed home video that let users wander labyrinthine information paths.
- That architecture encouraged radical skepticism and participatory research rather than centralized verification.
Section 230 Shaped Platform Growth
- Section 230 enabled rapid growth by shielding platforms from liability while allowing them to moderate content freely.
- That legal design seeded an optimistic, libertarian internet that later facilitated decentralized conspiracy communities.
