10 chapters across the catalog
A listener report from "Dame Aquamarine" details the infiltration of social and political agendas into popular fiction. Authors like Jodi Picoult and Lisa Foley are cited for shoehorning themes of climate change, transgenderism, and police oppression into stories where they feel out of place. The discussion attributes this shift to low-paid, unionized editors in the publishing industry who share a specific ideological groupthink.
New Orleans Film Industry and "Coke Zero" Orders
Jonathan Evans, a film editor in New Orleans, becomes "Sir Double-Bladed Splice" after a $250 donation. He shares a documentary titled "This Is What We Do" about how New Orleans restaurants are surviving the crisis. Evans requests "Coke Zero" for the round table and "Jobs Karma" for his community.
Newspaper Headline Mechanics, No Agenda Social Benefits
The hosts explain that newspaper headlines are typically written by editors rather than the reporters, often to create "jazzy" or deceptive hooks that contradict the actual story. This practice is driven by the need for clicks and advertising revenue, which is ironically collapsing due to the pandemic. Listeners are encouraged to move to No Agenda Social to avoid the "outrage machine" and algorithmic manipulation found on platforms like Twitter.
Kevin Thomas, a video editor from Georgia, was knighted as "Sir Kevlar, Knight of the Button Pressers." His donation included a request for sound clips related to President Obama's predator drones and a classic Brian Williams clip about "scaring people to death."
New York Times Eliminates Public Editor Position
The New York Times has eliminated the position of public editor as part of a broader wave of layoffs affecting approximately 100 employees. The role, similar to an ombudsman, was intended to provide internal accountability and address reader complaints. The removal of this oversight is interpreted as the paper's refusal to listen to its audience or maintain traditional journalistic standards.
John C. Dvorak describes the internal hierarchy of newsrooms, noting a lack of conservative voices among reporters and editors. The hosts argue that the mainstream media is out of touch with society and failed to predict its own decline or the rise of Donald Trump.
Volkskrant Political Editor, Media Skepticism of Beheading Videos
Adam Curry describes a 40-minute drive with the political editor of the Dutch newspaper Volkskrant. During the conversation, the editor admitted he had not actually watched the recent ISIS beheading videos, leading Curry to argue that mainstream journalists are failing to perform basic primary source verification. The segment highlights a perceived gap between professional journalism and the media deconstruction performed by entertainers.
Chelsea Clinton served as a special guest editor for the BBC's *News Hour* as part of the "100 Women" season. The hosts criticize the move as an example of the "embedded" nature of political dynasties in mainstream media. They argue that such appointments undermine the perceived prestige and objectivity of established news programs.
Wikimedia Executive Director Sue Gardner addresses the lack of diversity among Wikipedia editors, noting that 90% are male and the majority are from Western nations. The foundation is reportedly launching initiatives to recruit more women and editors from developing countries to broaden the encyclopedia's perspective and language availability.
The hosts discuss Jill Abramson's appointment as the first female executive editor of The New York Times. They critique her public speaking style and compare her professional trajectory to that of Katie Couric, questioning the importance of being "personable" in high-level media roles.
