Power Corrupts

What's it like to be held by Somali pirates for 977 days? Or to meet your Dad for the first time after he's been held in a basement in Beirut for nearly 7 years? Are you more likely to be killed as a hostage if you're American than if you're French? And how does economic game theory help us answer the question: what is the price of your freedom?   Support the show on Patreon at Patreon.com/powercorrupts ----   Power Corrupts is written and narrated by Brian Klaas. The executive producer and sound editor is George McDonagh.

Peter Pomerantsev, a senior fellow at LSE with deep insights from Russian media, and Hani Fareed, a Dartmouth computer science professor specializing in digital forensics, discuss the catastrophic power of disinformation. They dive into the fascinating story of Operation Mincemeat, unraveling how a fake corpse helped turn the tide in WWII. The conversation shifts to the Kremlin's control of media narratives in Russia, exploring how reality TV shapes public perception and the emerging threat of deepfakes, stressing the urgency for media literacy in today's digital age.

Join historian Ronald Hutton and author Natalie Wodajik as they delve into the intriguing intersections of magic and politics. Discover why a Liberian rebel leader fought naked, armed only with talismans. Learn how voodoo myths helped fend off a U.S. invasion of Haiti. Plus, hear the chilling account of a journalist nearly mistaken for a vampire in a rural village. This fascinating discussion reveals how supernatural beliefs shape conflict, foreshadow history, and continue to impact contemporary society.

Łukasz Kamiencki, an associate professor and historian specializing in the intersection of narcotics and warfare, dives into the dark history of drug use in military contexts. He explores how hallucinogens fueled Viking Berserkers and discusses the bizarre use of drugs by British soldiers in WWII. The podcast also highlights the tragic connection between opium and the exploitation of child brides in Afghanistan. Additionally, Kamiencki unravels the complexities of the cocaine trade in West Africa and critiques drug policy lessons from the U.S. and Jamaica.

Join Chris French, a psychology professor from Goldsmiths University who studies conspiracy theories, and Paul Burton, a devoted QAnon follower from Atlanta. The conversation delves into the psychological drivers behind conspiracy beliefs, touching on the flat Earth belief and historical mysteries like Australia's vanished Prime Minister. They explore bizarre theories, such as the myths surrounding Denver International Airport, and discuss how these beliefs impact politics, especially in the Trump era, highlighting the challenges in addressing misinformation.

How do you rig an election—and get away with it? Why did a cult try to poison an entire county to win a local election? And what about using disappearing ink, or threatening arson, or name doubles? This episode shows how the amateurs rig elections — with hilarious mix-ups and puréed beavers — and how the pros get away with it.     Support the show on Patreon at Patreon.com/powercorrupts ------   Power Corrupts is written and narrated by Brian Klaas. The executive producer is George McDonagh. Alex Portfelix is the producer and sound editor. Theme music is by Scott Holmes. News clips in this episode came from PBS, KKGW in Portland, Euronews, and CBS News.

Does power corrupt? Absolutely. This is the podcast about the hidden—and often nefarious—forces that shape our world. Election rigging. Smuggling. Narcopolitics. Ransom. Conspiracy Theories. North Korean bank heists. Cults. Drug Lords. Voodoo. Money laundering. Assassinations. Unhinged conspiracy theories. Unbelievable stories. Hear the trailer now and subscribe. Season 2 coming February 6th 2020.     ----       Power Corrupts is written and narrated by Brian Klaas. The executive producer and sound editor is George McDonagh.