Conspirituality

243: Free Market Contrarians (w/Eoin Higgins)

Feb 6, 2025

Eoin Higgins, a journalist and author of "Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left," delves into the ideological shifts of Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi. He examines how their once leftist viewpoints have morphed into right-leaning perspectives, influenced by tech billionaires. The conversation reveals fascinating insights into the complexities of modern journalism, the impact of media ownership on public discourse, and the challenge of maintaining integrity in politically charged environments.

01:04:26

Episode guests

Eoin Higgins

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Quick takeaways

The podcast explores the political shift of journalists Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi, revealing their alignment with right-wing narratives and figures like Elon Musk.

Audience capture within independent media is discussed as a concerning trend that compromises journalistic integrity in favor of visibility and financial benefits.

The episode critiques the intersection of journalism and conspiracy theories, illustrating how prominent figures can distort facts, impacting public discourse and truth perception.

Deep dives

Shifts in Leftist Journalism

The podcast discusses the notable shifts in the political alignment of journalists Glenn Greenwald and Matt Taibbi, who were once seen as left-leaning voices. Their respective trajectories demonstrate a transition from being critical of power to adopting right-wing perspectives, often aligning with figures such as Elon Musk and participating in platforms that amplify right-wing narratives. This evolution raises questions about their original political foundations and whether they ever held truly leftist principles. The conversation highlights the disappointment felt by former supporters who have observed this shift, emphasizing a broader concern about the integrity of left-leaning media.

Intro

3min

Legacy and Integrity in Yoga

7min

Tech Titans and Leftist Voices

7min

Navigating Ideological Nuances in Journalism

7min

Navigating Political Shifts in Modern Journalism

2min

Political Shifts and Media Dynamics

21min

Generated Short Title of the Chapter

7min

The Evolving Role of Journalism in Challenging Power

3min

Edward Snowden is largely only a public name thanks to Glenn Greenwald’s reporting, for which he was one of the contributors to a Pulitzer Prize-winning series for The Guardian in 2014. For a while, Matt Taibbi was considered the heir to Hunter Thompson when his gonzo journalism tore open the 2008 financial crisis and gave the public the term “vampire squids.”

Yet in more recent years, both men have swerved right: Glenn became a darling on Fox News and Taibbi was recruited by Elon Musk as one of the Twitter Files “journalists.” How did that happen? We’re joined by journalist Eoin Higgins, whose new book, Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left, dives into the career arcs of both Greenwald and Taibbi, and how they confuse and distort right-left alignments.

Show Notes

Sharath Jois, Heir to Founder of Ashtanga Yoga, Dies at 53 - The New York Times

Sharath’s Statement on Pattabhi Jois’s Assaults: Context, Links, Notes – Matthew Remski

Surviving Modern Yoga - North Atlantic Books

Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left

Eoin Higgins Morning Brew | Bluesky

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