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How to cut through political spin — Richard Denniss, Joelle Gergis, Yanis Varoufakis, Tom Keneally with Natasha Mitchell
Jan 7, 2025
Join economist Richard Denniss, climate scientist Joelle Gergis, former Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis, and acclaimed author Tom Keneally in a thought-provoking discussion. They tackle the obfuscation of political language, emphasizing its impact on democracy. Gergis highlights Australia's climate crisis urgency, while Varoufakis critiques technofeudalism. The group also discusses the failures of trickle-down economics, advocating for clearer communication to bridge public understanding and reclaim our shared humanity amidst political division.
54:35
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Quick takeaways
- Political jargon, or 'econobabble,' deliberately obscures true intentions, creating frustration and distance from genuine democratic engagement.
- The concept of technofeudalism highlights the shift to digital capital, where tech giants extract value, emphasizing the need for equitable ownership.
Deep dives
Econobabble and Political Language
Econobabble refers to the use of complex economic jargon and language by politicians to obscure their true intentions and manipulate public perception. Terms like 'fiscally responsible' often disguise a refusal to support certain policies, reflecting a tendency to hide self-interest behind a facade of fiscal prudence. This deliberate obscurity enables politicians to present inequitable decisions as being in the national interest, leading to widespread public frustration. By using metaphors like 'the market reacted angrily,' they anthropomorphize economic concepts, further distancing the public from genuine democratic engagement.
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Discover
highlights
Listen to the best highlights from the podcasts you love and dive into the full episode