Journalist and political communications specialist Gil Duran joins Dave for a discussion of The Network State, the latest in a long line of Libertarian Exit ideologies. Based on the ideas of people like Patri Friedman, Balaji Srinavasan, and Curtis Yarvin, the movement ultimately aims to dismantle the American government in favor of a network of federated states, all competing for citizens. The ideology has found a home in the second Trump administration and is gaining momentum quickly. Dave and Gil discuss what it is, where it came from, and how to go about stopping its spread. Interview starts at 02:47 00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome 00:05 Exploring the Network State Concept 02:47 Mainstream Media's Reluctance 03:40 Historical Context and Silicon Valley's Influence 04:42 Local Politics and Billionaire Influence 05:22 Acceleration of Network State Ideologies 07:54 Freedom Cities and Corporate Dystopias 11:59 Exit vs. Voice: Libertarian Ideals 17:36 Cultish Movements and Apocalyptic Visions 22:48 Autocracy Inc. and Global Implications 33:12 Bitcoin and Right-Wing Politics 34:02 Network State and Democracy 34:29 Media and Political Awareness 35:37 Democrats and Cryptocurrency 43:51 Technocracy and Historical Parallels 51:43 Substack vs. Ghost Platform 55:00 Future Political Landscape 01:02:45 Grassroots Movements and Conclusion Links: https://thenerdreich.com https://x.com/gilduran76 https://theframelab.org

Benn Steil, an economist and historian from the Council on Foreign Relations, discusses his book about Henry A. Wallace, a presidential candidate whose ties to the KGB predated Trump’s. The conversation dives into Wallace's unique political journey, mystical beliefs, and innovative agricultural policies. Steil explores the impact of Wallace's vision, particularly his famous speech 'The Century of the Common Man,' and his contentious political battles, especially with Harry Truman, revealing shocking parallels to today’s political climate.

Katherine Stewart, a renowned journalist and author focused on extremist movements in the U.S., discusses her new book exploring Christian nationalism and anti-democratic sentiment. She reveals how the 'Good News Club' sparked her investigations and categorizes key players in these movements. The conversation uncovers the role of funders, thinkers, and foot soldiers in threatening democracy, the impact of disinformation campaigns, and the importance of participating in local politics to combat these challenges. Stewart emphasizes actionable steps for individual engagement in safeguarding democratic values.

Dina Khapaeva, a Russian culture expert at Georgia Tech with a family history shaped by Stalinist terror, dives into the ideologies influencing Russia's contemporary political landscape. She discusses Mikhail Yuriev's book, highlighting far-right narratives and their impact on Putin's ambitions. The conversation reveals the unsettling implications of historical legacies and the Kremlin's expansionist strategies, urging Western policymakers to recognize and respond to these threats effectively. Khapaeva emphasizes the urgency of addressing Russia's militarization and authoritarian trends.

In this insightful conversation, Lucy Ash, a renowned British journalist and author of "The Baton and the Cross," discusses the intricate connection between the Russian Orthodox Church and the state. She delves into the Church's historical evolution, from its roots in medieval Russia through the challenges of the Bolshevik Revolution and Stalinist era. Ash highlights how current politics, under Putin, exploit religious authority to bolster nationalism, shape attitudes towards women's rights, and influence LGBTQ+ issues, all while reflecting on Putin's complex relationship with faith.

In this intriguing discussion, Google's NotebookLM, an AI language model, dives deep into the lesser-known "Project Russia," a series of books outlining a strategic vision for undermining Western democracies. They tackle various themes, exploring Russia's critique of Western moral decay, the call for a modern monarchy for moral guidance, and the push for traditional values through the Orthodox Church. The conversation raises urgent questions about the implications of these ideologies on global power dynamics and highlights the need for democracies to proactively counter these emerging threats.

Marietje Schaake, a former member of the European Parliament and current International Director of Policy at Stanford Cyber Policy Center, discusses the alarming impact of Big Tech on democracy. She argues that private tech companies are usurping power from democratic institutions. Highlighting concerns about cryptocurrency's destabilizing effects and rising authoritarianism, Schaake emphasizes the need for a 'public stack' to ensure community governance. Her insights provide a roadmap for safeguarding democracy in the digital age.

In this captivating discussion, Peter Pomerantsev, a disinformation expert and author, delves into his latest work on information warfare. He shares insights from his research on Sefton Delmer, a journalist who crafted unique methods to combat Nazi propaganda. The conversation spans Pomerantsev's experiences in Russia's media landscape, the psychology behind propaganda, and the use of emotional manipulation in wartime communications. He emphasizes the importance of fostering community and independent thought to resist oppressive narratives, drawing parallels to today's challenges.

The term "October Surprise" has come to mean any kind of shock that might upend a November election. But the original October Surprise was in 1980, when Ronald Reagan's campaign operatives conspired with the fundamentalist Iranian regime to keep 52 American hostages in Tehran until after the presidential election of 1980 — all but ensuring a loss for incumbent candidate Jimmy Carter. This is the account provided by author Craig Unger, who has been following the "October Surprise" story since 1991, and during that time has been able accumulate evidence to confirm that yes, the October Surprise really happened. This almost unbelievable story is documented in his new book, "Den of Spies: Reagan, Carter, and the Secret History of the Treason That Stole the White House, " recently published by Harper Collins. Craig joins Dave for a fascinating discussion of this complicated history, and its implications on American politics today. Purchase: Den of Spies Follow Craig Unger on X

No joke: Peter Thiel envisioned PayPal as a way to challenge to the global political order. And that vision is just now coming into place in 2024. In this election cycle, cryptocurrency interests have surpassed $120 million, surpassing even big oil, in trying to capture candidates from both political parties. This episode features a recording of a Twitter (X) space recorded on September 12, 2024 exploring this set of topics. The space was coordinated by Jake Donoghue, and includes several leading crypto critics: me, David Gerard, Mark Hays, John Reed Stark, and Mark R. Smith. Follow on X: @JDonoghueAuthor, @JohnReedStark, @DavidGerard, @AmScream, @Miercoles_Hays, @davetroy Jake Donoghue Twitter Space Peter Thiel at Libertopia 2010