KunstlerCast 413 — Journalist Elizabeth Nickson, MK Ultra and other Reindeer Games
Nov 7, 2024
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Journalist Elizabeth Nickson, known for her deep dives into the CIA's MKUltra program and radical environmentalism, shares her insights on the complex interplay of mental health and media integrity. The conversation touches on political accountability in the wake of election controversies and the rise of populism in the West. Nickson reflects on historical trauma and its implications, while also discussing the troubling nature of censorship and the societal control exerted by those in power. Prepare for a thought-provoking exploration of contemporary issues!
Elizabeth Nickson's investigative work on the CIA's MKUltra program reveals alarming ethical issues regarding psychological manipulation and its lasting impact on victims.
Nixon's critique of electoral integrity and modern media highlights serious concerns about censorship and the credibility crisis facing traditional journalism.
Deep dives
Elizabeth Nixon's Journalistic Journey
Elizabeth Nixon recounts her extensive career in journalism, beginning at Time magazine’s London Bureau, where she underwent rigorous training that included multiple rewrites and detailed fact-checking. Rising through the ranks, she became the European Bureau Chief of Life magazine, where she had opportunities to interact with prominent figures, including securing the rights to Nelson Mandela's memoir before his release from prison. Her experiences during this time were characterized by her ability to conduct interviews with influential individuals across a vast territory, which included hosting high-profile luncheons in her office. However, she eventually left the corporate world to explore deeper subjects, motivated by personal revelations about her mother’s involvement in the controversial CIA MKUltra program.
Investigating Historical Atrocities
Nixon's book, 'The Monkey Puzzle Tree,' uncovers the dark secrets of the CIA's MKUltra mind control project, particularly its effects on her mother, who was subjected to extreme psychological manipulation. She describes how victims were treated with drugs and psychiatric techniques designed to fracture their personalities and create alternate personas for espionage and intelligence purposes. This unsettling insight into what was historically deemed acceptable in psychological experiments raises profound ethical questions about the treatment of individuals under the guise of mental health care. The discussion extends to contemporary figures, such as Kamala Harris, suggesting a possible link between her background and MKUltra, which highlights the long-lasting impact of past governmental abuses on current political landscapes.
Political Landscape and Election Integrity
The conversation shifts to political discourse in the United States, where there is a strong assertion that electoral integrity has been compromised in recent elections. Nixon discusses the implications of what she views as manufactured votes in favor of candidates like Joe Biden, contrasting it with historical voting patterns to illustrate her point. She expresses a desire for accountability and justice against those she believes have participated in widespread electoral fraud and manipulations that undermine democracy. This call for skepticism towards election outcomes aligns with her view that the left is strategically stealing elections to perpetuate their policy agendas.
Censorship and Media Accountability
Nixon critiques the modern media landscape, claiming a pervasive culture of censorship that stifles dissent and honest reporting amongst journalists and news organizations. She highlights how mainstream media entities, including the New York Times, have lost credibility due to their biased reporting and engagement in narratives that do not reflect reality. This has led to a lack of trust in traditional media and the emergence of alternative media platforms where independent voices are thriving. The discussion delves into the psychological state of journalists who have abandoned their journalistic integrity, reflecting a broader concern about the intellectual and moral decline within established media institutions.
Elizabeth Nickson was trained as a reporter at the London bureau of Time Magazine. She became European Bureau Chief of LIFE magazine in its last years of monthly publication, and during that time, acquired the rights to Nelson Mandela’s memoir before he was released from the Robben Island prison. She went on to write for Harper’s Magazine, the Guardian, the Observer, the Independent, the Sunday Telegraph, the Sunday Times Magazine, the Telegraph, the Globe and Mail and the National Post. Her first book The Monkey Puzzle Tree was an investigation of the CIA MKULTRA mind control program. Her next book, Eco-Fascists; How Radical Environmentalists Are Destroying Our Natural Heritage, was a look at how environmentalism, badly practiced, is destroying the rural economy and rural culture in the U.S. and all over the world. She is a Senior Fellow at the Frontier Center for Public Policy, fcpp.org. Her excellent blog is Welcome to Absurdistan at Substack.
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