Posting Through It

Renée DiResta is one of the nation’s leading researchers of social media and the author of “Invisible Rulers : The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality”: a book about the ways social media platforms are used — and abused — to reshape the way we think and behave. Renée also shared her thoughts on the government’s hostility toward researchers who study social media and some of her experiences interacting with Matt Taibbi.You can read Renée’s emails with Matt Taibbi here: reneediresta.substack.com/Support the show and get access to weekly bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/PostingThroughIt⁠Transition Music: “Get Dumber - feat. Jeff Rosenstock” by PUP

Eoin Higgins is a historian and author who joined the show to discuss his book: “Owned: How Tech Billionaires on the Right Bought the Loudest Voices on the Left.” The gang talks in-depth about Glenn Greenwald and some of the other characters featured in Eoin’s book, right-wing billionaires’ attempts to undermine the news industry, and 90s techno. Check out Eoin’s other work:* Twitter / Bluesky* SubstackSupport the show and get access to weekly bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/PostingThroughIt⁠

The Anti-Defamation League has invited controversy for its leaders’ coziness with the Trump administration, and for its characterizations of student-led protests against Israel’s mass-killing of Palestinian civilians. Mike and Jared recap the events that got us here, the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, and why they see the ADL’s political maneuvering as cause for concern.Later on, Emmy-nominated reporter Vegas Tenold joins the show to discuss his experience working at the ADL from 2018-2020, and he offers his perspective on what the organization is doing today. Read Vegas’ post about the ADL’s coziness with the Trump administration here: https://whathappensinvegas.substack.com/p/the-fascist-and-his-little-helpersSupport the show and get access to weekly bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/PostingThroughIt⁠

Jack Posobiec is one of the MAGA movement’s biggest social media stars, recently seen accompanying Pentagon officials on an overseas trip and posing for photos with Donald Trump and JD Vance in the Oval Office. This podcast explores Posobiec’s early political career and its overlaps with white supremacist movements, “Pizzagate” conspiracy theories, and hostile state influence operations — among many other things. Mike and Jared were joined by Hannah Gais, who researches and writes about the far-right.Links:* Read Hannah in The Baffler: Unhuman Resources: The many grievances of Jack Posobiec* Subscribe to Hannah’s newsletter* And follow Hannah on BlueSky and Twitter.Support the show and get access to weekly bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/PostingThroughIt⁠

J.M. Berger wrote the book on extremism — literally. The internationally renowned expert discussed methods of defining “extremism” and whether a mainstream political movement, like MAGA, could be accurately labeled that way.Read J.M. Berger’s work:* Extremism (The MIT Press Essential Knowledge series)* The Social Construction of Extremism (Dissertation)* Lawful Extremism (Series)A huge thank you to Katharine Antoun for the show’s new cover art. (Website / Instagram)Support the show and get access to weekly bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/PostingThroughIt⁠

Max Read joins to talk about the online “Soy Right” and how the MAGA movement became everything it thought it hated about “soy boy” liberals. This episode pairs well with tofu.Programming note: We’ll be back on March 3. Check out Max Read’s newsletter, “Read Max.”Support the show and get access to weekly bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/PostingThroughIt⁠

Julia Carrie Wong joined the show to discuss her recent exploring comparisons between today’s Democratic Party and Vichy France: a short-lived rump state that capitulated to the German Nazi party in WWII. You can read Julia’s article here: Capitulating to Trump: why people are warning about ‘Vichy’ America.In the wake of recent political events, the trio would also like to encourage those who are able to consider making a donation to The Trevor Project, which fights for the safety and dignity of LGBTQ+ youth. (Click here to donate)Support the show and get access to weekly bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/PostingThroughIt⁠

Matt Binder joins the show to talk about meme coins and AI chatbot romance. The trio discuss about how politicians of all stripes have cozied up to a scam economy built on false hopes about technology.Check out Matt’s newsletterSupport the show and get access to weekly bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/PostingThroughIt⁠

Jared and Mike discuss a recent school shooting in Nashville, assess the vibe of Trump’s inauguration in DC, and debate investing their life savings in Trump’s cryptocurrency coin. They also review a column about a far-right DC inauguration party: “MAGA meme warriors take a victory lap with the Coronation Ball, celebrating the Trump-inspired cultural ascendancy.”Read Mike’s article about Inauguration Day in DCSupport the show and get access to weekly bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/PostingThroughIt⁠

Parker Malloy joins Jared and Mike to talk about the state of legacy media in the United States as the second Trump administration takes office. The trio also identifies a few “Winners and Losers” of modern right-wing media.Check out Parker Malloy’s SubstackSupport the show and get access to weekly bonus episodes: ⁠https://www.patreon.com/PostingThroughIt⁠Transition music is “Space Song” by Beach House.