Topic: Invisible Children

The "Kony 2012" campaign is being re-evaluated as a seminal experiment in viral propaganda that utilized celebrity endorsements from figures like George Clooney and Rihanna. While the video garnered hundreds of millions of views, it resulted in no fundamental policy changes or the capture of Joseph Kony. Instead, it served as a proof-of-concept for how social media could be used to mobilize mass attention toward specific geopolitical narratives.

The mission to capture warlord Joseph Kony has officially been declared a failure by the U.S. and Ugandan militaries. Financial records for the "Invisible Children" charity reveal that $50 million was spent on the campaign, largely on videos, travel, and meetings rather than military action. The segment recalls the viral success of the 2012 video and the subsequent public breakdown of its creator.

The hosts discuss their habit of "policing" each other's use of filler words and societal memes to maintain clearer communication. They revisit the "Kony 2012" phenomenon, noting the public mental breakdown of its creator, Jason Russell. They argue that the constant provocation of fear by the media can lead to such psychological tolls on the public.

The discussion covers "native advertising" examples at Walmart and the shutdown of Invisible Children, the nonprofit behind the "Kony 2012" video. The organization is downsizing after a massive drop in revenue and assets. Additionally, the city of Albuquerque is reportedly running "Breaking Bad" RV tours to boost the local economy.

The US government has offered a $5 million reward for the capture of Joseph Kony, despite pulling back the military "consultants" previously sent to hunt him. The African Union has also put the search on hold following a coup in the Central African Republic. The hosts point out the sudden silence from celebrity activists like George Clooney and Angelina Jolie who previously championed the "Kony 2012" movement.

The "Invisible Children" charity remains active despite the public breakdown of its founder, Jason Russell, in 2012. The hosts conclude the show by encouraging donations via the "value-for-value" model and directing listeners to the show notes. Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak sign off, promising a return on the following Thursday.

The hosts revisit the "Kony 2012" phenomenon and the subsequent public breakdown of its creator, Jason Russell. They link the "viral" success of the video to recent reports of YouTube penalizing major music labels for using bots to generate hundreds of millions of fake views.

During a speech at the American Society of International Law, Kamari Maxine Clark revealed that the "Kony 2012" viral video was produced with $1 million in funding from JPMorgan Chase. The hosts question the motivations of a major global bank in funding a media campaign for military intervention in Africa.

Invisible Children released a sequel to the viral "Kony 2012" documentary, titled "Beyond Famous." The hosts note the low initial view counts compared to the first film and point out the inclusion of a clip featuring Alex Jones. They suggest the organization uses "bots" to manipulate viral metrics on YouTube.

Jason Russell, the creator of the Kony 2012 viral video, was diagnosed with brief reactive psychosis following a public breakdown in San Diego. The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) defines this condition as a short-term display of psychotic behavior triggered by extreme stress. Reports from The Advocate suggest Russell's organization, Invisible Children, received funding from the National Christian Foundation, which has been linked to anti-gay legislation in Uganda.

Jason Russell, the co-founder of Invisible Children and creator of the viral Kony 2012 video, was detained by police in San Diego, California. Witnesses reported Russell running through traffic naked and screaming. Footage allegedly shows Russell engaging in public masturbation and erratic behavior, which his charity attributed to the emotional toll of the video's sudden fame.

Singer Rihanna appeared on Access Hollywood to promote the Kony 2012 movement and her involvement with the Invisible Children foundation. She expressed a desire to use her 14 million Twitter followers to spread awareness and mentioned plans to visit Uganda. The discussion characterizes her involvement as part of a broader celebrity-driven propaganda effort.

The discussion focuses on the viral "Kony 2012" video by Invisible Children, which the hosts label as a psychological operation (psyop) to justify U.S. military expansion in Africa via AFRICOM. They analyze a CNN report by Barbara Starr and play a YouTube clip from a young Ugandan woman who claims the video misrepresents the current reality in her country. They suggest the campaign is a front for securing regional resources and countering Chinese influence.

Actress Angelina Jolie publicly supports the "Stop Kony" movement, stating that she has met with the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court. The hosts mock her involvement, questioning her actual knowledge of the ground situation in Uganda and the Congo.

The viral Kony 2012 video is analyzed as a propaganda tool designed to justify U.S. military intervention in Central Africa. Evidence suggests the campaign serves to protect Western oil interests, specifically Tullow Oil's billion-dollar finds in Uganda. The Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) is described as a diminished force, while the video is framed as a means to establish a permanent base for AFRICOM.

The involvement of high-profile celebrities like George Clooney, Rihanna, and P. Diddy in promoting the Kony 2012 campaign is criticized. The film, directed by Jason Russell, is revealed to be a recut version of footage dating back to 2004. The hosts question the authenticity of the emotional appeals used in the production.

An examination of the financial filings for the Invisible Children charity reveals $10 million in revenue, with significant funding from the Oprah Winfrey Foundation and Humanity United. A commercial entity, Invisible Children Feature Film LLC, received $850,000 for production. The board of directors includes actress Kristen Bell and her partner Jedediah Jenkins.