Hey everyone, welcome to another deep dive.
We're gonna be looking at some news analysis
that we have today.
Absolutely, a lot going on out there.
A lot going on in the world from,
we've got US politics, we've got international relations.
Yeah.
All sorts of stuff going on.
It's a busy week.
And we've got three sort of main topics
that we're gonna be hitting today.
Yes.
And one of those is the Ukraine situation
and how the new Trump administration is handling that.
We've got the hostage situation with Hamas.
That's right.
And then we've got some US political shapeups
that are going on.
Yes.
Including the postmaster general stepping down.
Right.
And Trump's controversial stance
on birthright citizenship.
Yeah, that's certainly causing some waves.
So there's a lot going on.
Absolutely.
And a lot of maybe surprising
and perhaps even alarming developments in there,
especially when it comes to Trump's approach
to foreign policy, you know?
Right, it's definitely been a.
Trump's departure from previous administrations
in terms of approach and style.
It's a different approach.
And I think, you know, they use the word transactional.
Yes, very much so.
In some of the analysis that we have
about how he's handling Ukraine, you know?
Absolutely.
And a good example of that is his initial offer
of aid to Ukraine came with a pretty significant string
attached access to their rare earth metals.
Interesting.
So it's a very clear quid pro quo.
Yeah.
You know, is that effective in today's,
I mean.
In a political landscape or is that something that?
That's the big question, isn't it?
And I think it really reveals a lot about Trump's priorities
and his sort of worldview.
Right.
You know, he's repeatedly made claims, for example,
that Zelensky started the war and is unpopular,
which are demonstrably false.
Wow.
And then you have Defense Secretary Heksef.
Right.
Making statements about Ukraine's borders.
Yeah.
And the membership that echo Russian talking points.
Yeah.
Those quotes that we have about, you know,
maybe they just have to accept the loss of territory.
Right.
And sort of questioning the US's commitment to Nego.
Yeah.
That raised a lot of eyebrows in European capitals.
Yeah.
It sounds like, are we playing into Putin's hands here?
Well, some foreign policy analysts are saying exactly that.
Foreign Policy Magazine recently published an article
comparing Putin to a trust ground master.
Wow.
And it's a blend in an amateur.
Oh.
With Trump being the amateur.
Okay.
They argue that Putin is exploiting Trump's impulsiveness.
Right.
His desire for quick victories and strategically outmaneuvering
him at every turn.
Yeah.
That's, I mean.
Some pretty.
Especially if we start withdrawing from NATO.
Right.
Which is a real possible.
It's EU's noticing this.
Oh, absolutely.
They're taking steps.
They're going to have a summit.
Yes.
They're organizing a summit to discuss potential actions
if the US does indeed reduce its support for Ukraine.
Okay.
And they're going so far as direct military involvement.
Wow.
So they're definitely not taking this lightly.
They'll totally shift the.
Absolutely.
The whole power dynamic in my agent.
Yeah.
So that's a lot to unpack there.
It is.
But let's maybe switch gears a little bit
and talk about this recent prisoner swap
involving Mark Fogle, the teacher.
Right.
And Alexander Vinnick, who is a criminal.
This has sparked quite a bit of controversy.
Yeah.
Especially given Trump's previous criticism
of Biden's prisoner swap for Brittany Greiner.
It seems like maybe a little bit of a double standard.
It does appear at.
Going on there.
But beyond just that political,
sort of the political optics of it,
what are some of the strategic implications?
Well, for one, this swap sets a dangerous precedent.
Okay.
It basically tells Russia that they can detain
American citizens and use them as bargaining ships
to secure the release of their own criminals.
Right.
Potentially encouraging them to engage
in hostage diplomacy in the future.
And not only that,
but it could also provide Russia with Compromat.
Absolutely.
That's a real concern.
Which is basically compromising information.
Yes.
Information that can be used for blackmail or leverage.
Right.
That they can use to ex-example or to.
To exert influence.
In an advantage.
Yeah.
So I mean, that's.
It's a risky game they're playing.
It's risky business.
Yeah.
Very much so.
So I mean, it's almost like Putin's playing this,
you know, long game here.
Right.
He's thinking several steps ahead.
And we're more focused on.
Well, Trump is more react.
Fatification right now.
Exactly.
Short term gains.
Right.
That's long term strategy.
Speaking of complex situations,
let's switch over and talk about the hostage situation
with Hamas in the Middle East.
Right.
Another area where information is limited.
It is a.
But there are some developments worth noting.
Okay.
Hamas has recently resumed hostage exchanges.
That's great.
And there are reports that more hostages and bodies
are scheduled to be released soon.
That's encouraging.
So at least a glimmer of hope.
Yeah, but is this, you know, is this a genuine desire
for peace or is there something else?
It's tough to say for sure.
It's probably a combination of factors.
There may be diplomatic efforts behind the scenes.
Maybe some influence from Trump's tough talk.
But we also have to remember that Hamas has a history
of using hostage releases as a way to gain concessions
or international recognition.
That's true.
So we can be cautiously optimistic.
But the situation remains volatile and unpredictable.
Unpredictable.
We'll have to see how it plays out.
So fragile peace at this point.
Very much so.
All right.
And then, you know, back here in the U.S.,
we've got this major shakeup with Postmaster General
Louis DeJoy stepping down.
What's going on with that?
Well, his tenure has been marked by controversy.
Yeah.
Accusations of slowing down mail delivery.
Right.
Concerns about his ties to the Trump administration.
Yeah, it's, and you know, the process for selecting
the new Postmaster General.
It's a little bit strange.
It is rather unusual.
You know, it's done by this USPS Board of Governors.
Yes.
And there's no input from Congress
or from the co-presidents.
Right, which has raised concerns
about political influence.
So are we going to see, you know,
is Trump going to try to get like a loyalist in there?
That's certainly a possibility.
Yeah.
Given his track record, it wouldn't be surprising.
And speaking of, you know, getting loyalists in and talking.
Well, and this whole idea of controlling the narrative
brings us to the right wing media machine.
Right.
And really shaping the political landscape.
Yeah.
This is something that's been in the headlines a lot recently.
It has.
Thanks in part to Fox News personality Jesse Waters.
Yeah, that guy.
He's been openly boasting about the right wing media's
information warfare tactics.
It's almost like he's bragging about.
He is.
So proud of it.
Manipulating public opinion and spreading disinformation.
Well, he gave this interview where he described
the right wing media machine as a well-oiled propaganda
operation.
Really?
Churning out stories and narratives
with incredible speed and reach.
Yeah, it's like.
And he basically said that Democrats have no chance
of competing because they're stuck in the past
with their tiny press conferences
and their nuanced argument.
Like he thinks that facts on logic are no match
for emotion and outrage.
That's his argument.
But I mean, it's hard to argue with him that it's effective.
You know?
Right, they've mastered the art of crafting
simple emotionally charged narratives.
Even what they're doing.
They resonate with their base.
And they have this vast network.
Yeah, they've got everything.
The cable news, to talk radio, social media.
Everywhere.
To amplify those narratives.
Yeah, and so it's.
So it's a very effective machine.
It's hard to compete with.
It is, but there are some cracks emerging.
Oh, really?
In their armor.
Okay.
Cable TV viewership is declining.
Oh, interesting.
And even Fox News' audience is aging.
So you're saying that like the future of political media.
Right.
It's gonna be these monolithic top-down media empires.
The rise of independent blogs, podcasts,
social media platforms is creating a more fragmented
and decentralized media landscape.
And is that good or bad?
It's a double-edged sword, I think.
On the one hand, it could lead to a more diverse range
of voices and perspectives.
But on the other hand, it makes it harder
to discern fact from fiction.
That's true.
It's easier for people to find themselves in echo chambers.
Yeah, so, I mean, are we entering like a whole new era?
I think so.
Are we through information warfare?
Yeah, it's a different kind of battleground.
It's not tanks and troops.
It's information and narratives.
And that requires a different set of skills.
Critical thinking, media literacy.
Elythesism.
We can't just accept everything we see
and hear at face value.
So how does that play into this story
about the Washington Post and their decision?
Well, this is a perfect example.
To reject an anti-Trump ad.
Of how attempts to control the narrative can backfire.
The Post rejected this ad from Common Cause,
which criticized Trump's record on the environment.
They claimed concerns about accuracy and fairness,
but they had no problem running a pro-Trump ad
from a fossil fuel industry group.
Wow, that's...
So it's a pretty blatant double standard.
It is.
And it raises questions about their editorial judgment
and their willingness to stand up to powerful interests.
So what happened?
Well, their attempt to suppress the ad backfired
spectacularly.
How so?
Because of something called the Streisand effect.
The Streisand effect.
Okay, which is basically when attempts
to suppress information, actually give it more attention.
Oh, so it's like, so they tried to...
They tried to...
By rejecting the ad.
Keep it quiet.
They made it a much bigger story.
Wow.
Than it would have been ordered.
Interesting.
So it's like they accidentally gave it more publicity.
They amplified the very message they were trying to silence.
Wow.
Okay, that's...
It's a classic example...
Interesting.
Of how things can backfire in the age of social media.
Yeah, and how...
Where information spreads like wildfire.
You can't really control the...
Right, you can't put the genie back in the bottle.
Right, exactly.
Because it's out there.
Okay, well, we've got one more story.
All right.
And this one I think is...
It's an interesting one.
Really gonna...
It's a head scratcher.
Gonna make your scratcher head a little bit.
Yeah, for sure.
So Donald Trump, who's never been known...
Right.
For embracing progressive ideas.
It's not exactly.
Or really having like a nuance
or understanding of history.
Not as strong as it.
Has suddenly found an appreciation for...
Oh, wrong things.
A very specific aspect of black history.
Right, this is unexpected.
The 14th Amendment.
The 14th Amendment, wow.
And you're never gonna guess why.
Okay, I'm intrigued.
He's all about this 14th Amendment.
Lay it on me.
Because he wants to restrict birthright citizenship.
Ah, I see where this is going.
So the 14th Amendment...
Right.
Was adopted after the Civil War.
Yes.
And it granted citizenship...
To all persons born of...
To all persons born in the United States.
Or naturalized.
Naturalized in the United States.
Including formerly enslaved people.
A landmark achievement.
Right, so it was this huge step forward.
Absolutely.
In civil rights.
A cornerstone of equality.
And, you know, making sure that everybody
was equaling under the law.
Precisely.
But now Trump is trying to argue...
Here's the twist.
That it was never intended...
Yeah.
To grant citizenship to the children
of undocumented immigrants.
Okay, so he's basically saying...
He's saying it only applied...
It was only meant for no reason.
To the formerly enslaved...
Formerly enslaved people.
And their descendants.
Interesting interpretation.
Yeah, it's...
Not one shared by most legal scholars.
Yeah, so I mean...
The text of the amendment is pretty clear.
I would think so.
It says all persons born or naturalized
in the United States.
Yeah, that's the...
And subject to the jurisdiction thereof.
Before...
Are citizens of the United States.
Right.
And of the state wherein they reside.
Yeah, that doesn't seem...
No mention of ancestry or lineage.
Oh, I think a lot of...
It's pretty unambiguous.
We've all room there.
It is, but that hasn't stopped Trump before.
So, I mean...
He's already issued an executive order.
Yeah.
Attempting to restrict birthright citizenship.
And what happened with that?
Well, it's been blocked by the courts.
Oh, okay.
So, the legal battle is ongoing.
So, we don't know what's gonna happen with that.
It's hard to predict.
Yeah, but it seems like...
But the stakes are high.
Yeah.
This could have far-reaching consequences.
So, this is another example of Trump trying to sort of...
He's trying to reshape...
Reshape things and twist them.
The legal and social landscape.
To fit his agenda.
To fit his worldview.
Yeah, yeah.
It's a reminder that these rights...
Right.
That we often take for granted are not set in stone.
They're not guaranteed.
They have to be constantly defended.
Right, so it's like history's not over.
Exactly.
History's an ongoing process.
It's constantly being debated, reinterpreted.
And we have to be critical thinkers.
Absolutely.
We can't just passively accept them
that are presented to us.
The truth, yeah.
We have to question.
Right.
We have to dig deeper.
That to question assumptions.
Exactly.
Yeah.
Seek out diverse perspective.
So, before we wrap up today,
I wanna talk about one more story.
And it might seem a little lighter compared to...
Right.
Geopolitical chess matches and...
Yeah, I'm being...
Constitutional debates.
Yeah.
But I think it's really revealing.
Okay.
About where we are in America right now.
Oh, right.
So, remember how we were talking about Jesse Waters?
Yes, the Fox News personality.
And him bragging about the right-wing media machine.
Right, and how they're running circles
around everyone else.
Yeah, and you know...
Weaponizing outrage, simplifying narratives.
And it made me think,
is there like something fundamentally different?
That's a great question.
About how...
I think there is.
Right in the left approach.
At a fundamental level.
Communication.
Yeah, their approaches to persuasion.
Like why haven't we seen
like a successful left-wing Fox News?
Right, why hasn't that happened?
You know, why is it that?
Well, I think it gets to the heart of their ideologies.
Okay.
The right-wing media ecosystem thrives
on emotional appeals.
Okay.
And that narratives.
Right.
A sense of shared grievance.
Yeah.
It plays on our fears, our biases.
Yeah.
Our desire for simple solutions to complex problems.
Right.
And that's very effective
for a certain segment of the population.
So, are you saying that the left?
The left tends to be more nuanced, more complex.
With their arguments.
More data-driven.
Yeah.
And that doesn't always translate well.
Right.
In a media environment that's driven by sound bites.
Right, and you know...
And emotional appeals.
Outrage.
Exactly.
So, it's a mismatch.
In a way.
So, the right-wing media is just breaching to the choir.
In many ways, yes.
They're reinforcing existing beliefs and prejudices.
And the left is trying to like...
And when the left tries to replicate that model,
it often falls flat.
Right.
Because they're trying to appeal to a different audience.
Right, it's like they're speaking a different language.
In a sense they are.
Yeah, so it's almost like we're...
It's like trying to sell gourmet coffee
to someone who only drinks instant...
Right.
And the two points are just two different.
So, we're living in these two separate realities.
In many ways, yes.
Each with its own set of facts, values.
They're like, we're not even...
And that's a real problem.
On the same page anymore.
It is because it leads to polarization.
Yeah.
Division.
Right, and it's hard to...
It makes it hard to...
Have a conversation.
Meaningful conversations across those divides.
You're not even agree on basic.
When you can't even agree on a shared reality.
Yeah.
It's tough to find common ground.
So, what's the answer?
Well, I think it comes back to critical thinking,
media literacy.
Right, we have to be aware of the...
We have to be aware of the biases.
Biasity.
The agendas that shape the information we consume.
Right, and be able to evaluate sources
and identify logical fallacies.
And...
That face the big.
And the difference between fact and opinion.
Right, we have to be active participants
in the information ecosystem.
Right, and not just passive consumers.
Not just passively absorbing whatever comes our way.
Right, we have to question things.
And question, analyze, evaluate.
Yeah, and engage.
Engage in civil discourse.
In, you know...
Even when it's difficult.
Healthy debate.
Absolutely.
Yeah, okay, well, I think that's a good place
to stop for today.
Sounds good.
We've talked about a lot.
And covered a lot of ground.
Yeah, from Ukraine to Hamas.
So, from...
To the US Postal Service.
Ukraine to Hamas to...
The birthright citizenship.
Right wing media.
It's been a whirlwind.
Yeah.
But hopefully an enlightening one.
It's been a lot, but I hope you found it formative.
Absolutely.
And engaging.
A little bit.
And maybe even a little thought provoking.
Yeah, that's the goal.
So, thanks for joining us and we'll see you next time.
Until then, stay curious.
It's a lot to process, for sure.
It is, it's a lot to process.
But, you know, speaking of complex situations,
let's switch gears.
Okay.
And talk about the hostage situation with Hamas.
All right, so the hostage situation,
this is another one where...
Right, this is another area.
We don't have a lot of information.
Where information is limited.
Yeah, but what do we know?
Well, we do know that Hamas
has recently resumed hostage exchanges.
Okay.
And there are reports that more hostages and bodies
are scheduled to be released soon.
So that's good news.
It is a positive development.
But what's causing this?
Well, that's the million dollar question, isn't it?
Yeah, is this, I mean, are they genuinely?
It's tough to say, for sure.
Wanting peace?
Or is there something else?
It could be a combination of factors.
Okay.
Perhaps there are diplomatic efforts
going on behind the scenes.
Okay.
Maybe some influence from Trump's tough talk.
Right.
And remember that Hamas has a history
of using hostage releases.
Right, yeah.
As a way to gain concessions
or international recognition.
Right, so we can't get too excited.
Exactly.
Cautious optimism is probably the best approach.
Cautious optimism.
I'll have to wait to see.
All right, and then back here in the US, we've got...
Speaking of unpredictable situations.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy stepping down.
Yes, that was quite a surprise.
So what's the deal with that?
Well, DeJoy's tenure has been nothing
if not controversial.
Right.
You know, accusations of slowing down
mail delivery, concerns about his ties
to the Trump administration.
Yeah, and then the process for selecting
a new postmaster general.
Right, it's a bit of an odd one.
It's very strange.
It's done by the USPS Board of Governors.
Yeah, and there's no input from Congress
or the co-presidents.
Right, which has raised concerns
about potential political influence.
So, I mean, are we gonna see...
Well, the big question is...
It's not a loyal one.
Well, Trump, trying to push for a loyalist...
In that position.
DeJoy's place.
Yeah, so, I mean, we'll have to wait
and see how that plays out.
We will indeed.
Okay, well, speaking of loyalists
and controlling the narrative.
Right, speaking of which...
Let's talk about the right-wing media machine.
This has been a hot topic lately.
Yeah.
And for good reason.
Yeah, what's going on there?
Well, Fox News personality Jesse Waters.
Oh, yeah.
Has been very vocal about the right-wing media's tactics.
What'd he say?
He's basically bragging about
their information warfare capabilities.
So, he's saying they're...
He's saying they're winning.
And that Democrats have no chance...
Wow.
...if they're playing by a different set of rules.
Okay, so what rules?
He described the right-wing media machine
as a well-oiled propaganda operation.
Really?
Churning out stories and narratives
with incredible speed and reach.
Okay.
He said Democrats are stuck in the past.
So, are they stuck in the past?
With their tiny press conferences
and their nuanced arguments.
So, he thinks...
He thinks facts and logic.
That facts and logic are useless.
Are no match for emotion and outrage.
And he may have a point...
Well, I mean, it is a factor.
That mastered the art...
Yeah, they're very good at it.
...of crafting simple, emotionally charged narratives
that resonate with their audience.
And they've got...
And they have this vast network of outlets.
Right, they've got everything...
Amplify those narratives.
Yeah, they've got cable news,
they've got talk radio,
they've got...
Social media websites.
Social media, Stavia.
It's a powerful machine.
It's everywhere.
It is, but there are some cracks emerging.
Oh, really?
So, it's not all...
You too....cable TV viewership is declining.
Even Fox Music's audience is aging.
So, what does that mean?
Well, it suggests that the future of political media
might not be these monolithic, top-down media empires.
So, what is it gonna be?
Well, we're seeing the rise of independent blogs,
podcasts, social media platforms.
It's becoming more fragmented and decentralized.
And is that good?
It's hard to say.
It could lead to a more diverse range of voices.
But it also makes it harder to discern fact from fiction.
That's true.
And easier for people to find themselves in echo chambers.
Yeah, so it's almost like we're...
We're entering a new era...
The Entry-E-E....of information warfare.
...where the battleground is the digital realm.
Yeah, it's not tanks and troops anymore.
Exactly, it's information and narratives.
And so, we need a new set of skills.
We do.
Critical thinking, media literacy...
Scepticism.
Absolutely.
We have to be savvy consumers of information.
Yeah, so how does that play into this story
about the Washington Post?
Well, this is a case in point.
And their decision to reject this.
They tried to control the narrative.
Anti-Trump ad.
And it backfired spectacularly.
Okay, so what happened?
They rejected an ad from Common Cause.
Okay.
Which criticized Trump's environmental record.
Okay.
They cited concerns about accuracy and fairness.
Okay.
But they had no problem running a pro-Trump ad
from a fossil fuel industry group.
Really?
So it's a clear double standard.
It is.
And it raises questions about their editorial judgment.
Right?
And their willingness to challenge powerful interests.
So what was the outcome?
Well, their attempt to suppress the ad.
Okay.
Actually gave it more attention.
Oh, so it backfired.
Thanks to the Streisand effect.
Okay, the Streisand effect.
It's a phenomenon where attempts to suppress information.
Okay.
End up giving it more exposure.
So they basically, by trying to keep it quiet.
Exactly.
They made it a bigger deal.
They amplified it.
Wow, that's...
It's a classic example.
That's fascinating.
Of how things can backfire in the age of social media.
Yeah, it's like you can't control...
You can't control the flow of information.
The information anymore.
Not on the way you used to.
Right.
It's a different game now.
Yeah.
Okay, well we have one more story.
All right, hit me with it.
And this one I think is just gonna...
I'm ready for anything at this point.
When you scratch your head.
Okay, let's hear it.
So Donald Trump.
It's all people.
You know, he's never really been known for...
Not exactly a champion.
Embracing progressive idea.
Like progressive causes.
Right, or really having like a nuance understanding.
Yeah, not really known for his nuance.
Of history.
Right.
He has found a newfound appreciation.
This I gotta hear.
For a specific aspect of black history.
All right, I'm all yours.
The 14th Amendment.
The 14th Amendment, okay.
And you'll never guess why.
I'm sure you're gonna tell me.
It's because he wants to restrict birthright citizenship.
Ah, I see.
So the 14th Amendment was adopted.
Right, after the Civil War.
After the Civil War.
A pivotal moment in American history.
And it granted citizenship to all persons born.
Yeah, to all persons born.
Or naturalized.
For United States.
In the United States,
including formerly enslaved people.
A landmark achievement.
Right, it was.
In the fight for equality.
It was huge.
It was this huge step forward for civil rights.
A cornerstone of our democracy.
Of equality.
Yeah.
But now Trump is arguing that this was never intended.
Here we go.
To grant citizenship.
Okay, so he's saying.
To the children of undocumented immigrants.
It was only meant for.
He's saying it was only meant for the.
Formerly enslaved people.
Formerly enslaved people and their descendants.
Interesting interpretation.
Right, and most legal scholars are like.
Most legal scholars would disagree.
That's not what it says.
The text is pretty clear.
All persons born or naturalized in the United States.
Yeah, it seems pretty.
And subject to the jurisdiction thereof.
Very for real.
Are citizens of the United States.
And of the state wherein they reside.
Okay, so.
No mention of ancestry or lineage.
What's going on?
Well, Trump has issued an executive order.
Okay.
Attempting to restrict birthright citizenship.
So is that going anywhere?
Well, it's been blocked by the courts.
Oh, okay.
So the legal battle is ongoing.
But we don't know.
It's hard to predict.
What's going to happen?
The outcome.
Right.
But the stakes are high.
Yeah, I mean this is.
This could have major implications.
This is a big.
For immigration Paul.
And for the future of our country.
So it's another example of Trump trying to.
He's trying to reshape the legal landscape.
The legal social landscape.
To fit his own agenda.
To fit his worldview.
And it's also a reminder that.
These rights that we often take for granted.
Right, we can't take them for granted.
Are not guaranteed.
We have to be defended.
Right, so history is not over.
Over.
It's an ongoing struggle.
We're still fighting for the soul of our neighbors.
Constantly being debated.
Exactly.
And interpreted.
We have to be vigilant.
Yeah.
We have to be critical thinkers.
We can't just accept.
We can't just blindly accept the narratives
that are presented to us.
Right.
We have to question.
We have to question assumptions.
Assumptions.
Seek out different perspectives.
So before we wrap up.
I want to talk about one more story.
Intrigue.
And it might seem a little lighter.
Okay.
Compared to, you know, geopolitical chess matches.
All right, I'm.
And constitutional debates.
Bring it on.
I think it's really revealing.
Okay.
About the state of things in America right now.
All right, lay it on me.
Remember how we were talking about Jesse Water?
Yes.
The Fox News pundit.
Bragging about the right wing media machine.
Right.
The massacre of outrage.
And how they're just like running circles
around everybody else.
He was quite proud of that.
And it got me thinking.
Is there something.
That's an interesting question.
Fundamentally different.
I think there is.
About how the right and the left.
Their approaches are fundamentally different.
Approach, communication and persuasion.
Yeah.
Like why haven't we seen a successful
left wing Fox News?
Right, that's the million dollar question.
Why hasn't the left been able to replicate that success?
Yeah, why hasn't that happened?
Well, I think it comes down to
their underlying ideologies.
The right wing media ecosystem
thrives on emotional appeals.
Clear cut narratives.
A sense of grievance and outrage.
It plays on people's fears and biases.
Their desire for simple solutions to complex problems.
And that resonates with a certain segment
of the population.
So are you saying the left is just.
The left is more nuanced, more complex,
more data driven.
Okay, so that.
And that doesn't always play well.
Not as good.
In a media environment that's driven by.
The sound bites.
Sound bites and emotional appeals.
Outrage and the, yeah.
It's a different game.
So the right wing media is basically just.
They're preaching to the choir.
Preaching to the choir.
They're reinforcing existing beliefs and prejudices.
And the left is trying to, I don't know.
And when the left tries to replicate that model,
it often falls flat.
Right.
They're trying to reach a different audience.
Yeah, they're trying to appeal to people.
Who aren't.
And a different style.
Interesting.
It's like trying to sell a or make coffee.
Yeah.
To someone who only drinks instant train.
So the tastes are just too different.
So we're living in these two separate realities.
We are in many ways.
We can't even world.
And talk to each other.
With different sets of facts.
Yeah.
Values, narratives.
And so.
That's a problem.
How do we fix that?
Well, it's a tough one.
Yeah.
I think it comes back to.
Critical thinking.
Yeah.
Media literacy.
Right.
We have to be aware.
We have to be aware of our own biases.
Oh, those are biases.
The biases of the sources we consume.
Right.
And be able to.
And we have to be able to evaluate.
And gain information.
Identify logical fallacies.
Like logical fallacies.
Distinguish between fact and opinion.
Yeah.
So basically we just have to be smarter.
We have to be more discerning.
Yeah.
More critical.
Engage in healthy debate.
Absurd.
All right.
Well, I think that's a good place to stop for today.
Sounds good to me.
We've covered a lot of ground.
We have from international relations
to Dometic Big Politics.
To the media landscape.
But Ukraine.
To the 14th Amendment.
Right wing media.
It's been a whirlwind.
Yeah.
But hopefully an informative one.
It's been a lot.
I hope you guys found it informative.
Yeah, me too.
And engaging.
And maybe even a little.
A little bit thought provoking.
Thought provoking.
So thanks for joining us.
We'll see you next time.
Until then, stay curious.
It's a lot to think about, isn't it?
It is.
It really is.
You know, and it kind of goes back to that.
Remember we were talking about Jesse Waters
and.
Yeah.
Embragging about the right wing media machine.
Right.
And how they figured out the formula for success.
And it got me thinking.
Like, is there something.
It's a good question.
Fundamentally different about how the.
I think there is.
Right in the left approach communication.
Yeah.
Their styles are very different.
And persuasion.
Absolutely.
I mean, why haven't we seen like a successful left wing
Fox News?
Right.
It's a question a lot of people have asked.
Like what is it?
Well, I think it goes back to their core ideologies.
Okay.
The right wing media ecosystem is built on
emotional appeals.
Okay.
Clear cut narratives.
Right.
A sense of shared grievance.
Yeah.
They tap into people's fears.
Right.
Their biases, their desire for simple solutions.
Right.
To complex problems.
And that works.
And it's very effective for a certain segment
of the population.
So are you saying that the left is just.
The left tends to be more nuanced, more complex.
Yeah.
More focused on data and evidence.
Okay.
And so that's.
And that doesn't always translate well.
Oh, to not.
To a mass audience.
Not as.
Especially in today's media environment.
Getting sexy, yeah.
Which is driven by sound bites.
Right.
And you know.
And emotional appeals.
The outrage and all that.
Exactly.
So it's almost like.
It's a mismatch.
There's speak style.
In a way they are.
Yeah.
So the right wing media is just.
Preaching to the choir.
Reinforcing existing beliefs and prejudices.
And the left is trying.
And when the left tries to replicate that.
I don't know.
It usually backfires.
Yeah.
Because they're trying to reach a different audience.
Right.
With a different message and a different approach.
So it's like we're living in two.
Two separate worlds.
Different sets of facts.
Yeah.
Values.
How do we even begin to fix that?
That's the challenge, isn't it?
Yeah.
I mean.
I think it starts with.
What's the other.
Critical thinking, media literacy.
We have to be aware.
We have to be aware of our own biases.
Our own biases.
The biases of the sources we consume.
And be able to like.
And we have to be able to evaluate information.
And evaluate the sources.
And figure out, identify logical fallacies.
Right.
Distinguish fact from opinion.
So basically we just have to be.
We have to be smarter.
More discerning.
More critical.
More engaged.
And engage in like.
Civil discourse.
Healthy debate.
Even when it's hard.
Okay.
Well that's a great point to end on I think.
It's a good takeaway.
You know we've talked about.
We've covered a lot today.
A lot today.
A lot of complex issues.
A lot of challenges.
Right wing media.
A lot to think about.
It's been a lot.
It has.
But I hope you found it.
But hopefully it's been enlightening.
And engaging.
And maybe even a little bit.
Of provoking.
To get those critical thinking skills going.
So thanks for joining us on this deep dive.
Thanks for having me.
We'll see you next time.
Until then.
Stay curious.