Topic: Adam Curtis

14 chapters across the catalog

Hypophora
Episode 1739 1:25:08 - 1:32:25

1739: Hypophora

Tom Homan and Eric Adams, New York Mayoral Race

Border Czar Tom Homan appeared on Fox News alongside Mayor Eric Adams, fueling speculation about their cooperation on immigration enforcement. Following the DOJ upheaval, potential mayoral candidates like Andrew Cuomo and Curtis Sliwa have begun mulling runs for the office. Cuomo released a campaign-style video addressing public safety, while Sliwa continues to advocate for his "Guardian Angels" approach to New York City governance.

Clown World
Episode 1391 2:46:04 - 2:48:29

1391: Clown World

New York City Graffiti Cleanup, Eric Adams, Curtis Sliwa

New York City mayoral candidates Eric Adams and Curtis Sliwa are advocating for increased graffiti removal, linking vandalism to a rise in violent crime. Mayor Bill de Blasio has responded by deploying a "cleanup corps" of 10,000 workers to repaint properties across the five boroughs.

Sheep Dipping
Episode 1359 54:52 - 58:46

1359: Sheep Dipping

Weinstein Brothers, Podcasting 2.0 Confusion

A clip from the Weinstein brothers' podcast shows them being asked about Adam Curry's decentralized podcasting project. Eric Weinstein confuses Adam Curry with filmmaker Adam Curtis, leading to a dismissive response. Adam Curry expresses frustration at their lack of awareness regarding Podcasting 2.0 and the "Value for Value" model as a solution to YouTube censorship.

Media Liescape
Episode 1358 1:58:05 - 2:04:40

1358: Media Liescape

New York Mayoral Race, Ranked Choice Voting

New York City's mayoral primary is utilizing a new Ranked Choice Voting system, delaying the final results. Former police officer Eric Adams leads the count, though critics like Amy Goodman highlight his past Republican ties and support for charter schools. Republican nominee Curtis Sliwa, founder of the Guardian Angels, is also noted.

Doctored Evidence
Episode 1321 10:28 - 13:50

1321: Doctored Evidence

Doctored Evidence History, Adam Curtis Documentary

A discussion on the history of doctored evidence spans from the Climategate scandal at East Anglia to FBI lawyers altering documents in the Trump investigation. Filmmaker Adam Curtis released a six-hour documentary titled "Can't Get You Out of My Mind," which explores global power systems and the rise of Mao Zedong. The prevalence of "phony" systems is cited as a primary driver for millennial interest in Bitcoin.

Putin's Playbook
Episode 931 58:16 - 1:01:32

931: Putin's Playbook

Roger Stone Documentary, Make America Great Again Origins

The Netflix documentary "Get Me Roger Stone" is highlighted for providing historical context on the political strategist's career. The film notes that the "Make America Great Again" slogan was originally used by Ronald Reagan. The hosts discuss Stone's long-term influence on Donald Trump's political persona and campaign strategies.

Off Script
Episode 930 55:20 - 1:00:39

930: Off Script

Robert Mueller Background, Pan Am 103 Connection

Robert Mueller's career history is examined, including his leadership of the FBI post-9/11 and his role in the Pan Am 103 investigation. Reference is made to Adam Curtis's documentary "HyperNormalisation," which suggests Mueller helped shift blame for the bombing from Syria to Libya. The discussion also notes Mueller's past professional ties to Facebook and Mark Zuckerberg.

Sologamy
Episode 929 2:32:42 - 2:38:41

929: Sologamy

HyperNormalisation, Eliza Chatbot and Selfie Culture

Referencing Adam Curtis's documentary *HyperNormalisation*, the discussion explores how the 1960s chatbot "Eliza" revealed a human tendency to find comfort in technology that mirrors the self. This "mirroring technology" is linked to the modern "selfie generation," with the suggestion that an obsession with self-image through social media algorithms reflects a deeper societal insecurity.

Watergate II
Episode 928 1:05:42 - 1:15:31

928: Watergate II

No Agenda Producer Credits, Donations and Hypernormalization

The hosts acknowledge high-tier donors including Sir Onimus, who contributed the value of one ounce of gold, and Jordan Goodfellow. A discussion of the Adam Curtis documentary "Hypernormalization" highlights its exploration of Libya, Syria, and the influence of Henry Kissinger. The segment includes "de-douching" rituals for listeners who have received value from the show without contributing.

Non-Disabled
Episode 812 2:23:37 - 2:26:16

812: Non-Disabled

Sierra Snowpack Reporting and "Man on the Street" Experts

A news report on the Sierra Nevada snowpack is criticized for using a random young man as an "expert" commentator. The hosts cite documentarian Adam Curtis and late-night host Jimmy Kimmel to illustrate how modern news often relies on "blowhards on the street" rather than qualified sources.

Misgendering
Episode 743 40:01 - 45:17

743: Misgendering

Adam Curtis Documentary, Mullah Omar Death Reports

The hosts discuss a documentary by filmmaker Adam Curtis and the confirmed death of Taliban leader Mullah Omar. Although the Afghan government recently announced his passing, reports indicate he actually died in a Pakistani hospital two years ago. The timing of the announcement is linked to ongoing peace negotiations with the Taliban.

Associative Propaganda
Episode 549 45:00 - 47:06

549: Associative Propaganda

Man on the Street, Media Propaganda, Adam Curtis

The hosts critique the media's reliance on "man on the street" interviews as a substitute for factual reporting. They reference documentarian Adam Curtis, who has explored how the news media uses fear and anecdotal evidence to shape public perception. They argue that these interviews are useless for fact-finding but highly effective for emotional manipulation.

Kennedy and the Body Count
Episode 67 1:15:29 - 1:17:05

67: Kennedy and the Body Count

Adam Curtis Documentaries, UK Car Market

The work of BBC documentarian Adam Curtis is praised, specifically his films exploring the politics of fear. The conversation shifts to the collapse of the British pound, which has led to Germans traveling to the UK to buy cheaper BMWs and claim VAT refunds.

8 Pints of Lager please!
Episode 11 30:12 - 37:10

11: 8 Pints of Lager please!

Al-Qaeda Name Origin and Adam Curtis Documentaries

Research into the name Al-Qaeda suggests it translates to "the database," originally referring to a CIA file of Mujahideen fighters recruited during the Soviet-Afghan War. The hosts discuss the "Power of Nightmares" documentary by Adam Curtis, which explores how the concept of a unified terror network was marketed to the public. The discussion highlights the role of media memes in shaping public perception of global threats.