6 chapters across the catalog
Jeffrey Dahmer Netflix Series and Cannibalism Trends
The hosts speculate that recent viral stories about cannibalism were part of a sophisticated PR campaign for the Netflix series "Dahmer – Monster: The Jeffrey Dahmer Story." They discuss how streaming services use viral trends to generate interest in new content.
Green Tech Failures, Pharmaceutical Disclaimers and Apes with iPads
Archival clips highlight the failure of the "green jobs" initiative in California and the absurdity of long pharmaceutical disclaimers, specifically for the drug Stelara. They discuss how PR firms place "native advertising" stories in the news, such as a story about orangutans using iPads, which they link to the promotional cycle for a Planet of the Apes movie.
The ALS Ice Bucket Challenge is identified as a highly orchestrated public relations campaign rather than a spontaneous viral movement. A clip of Kermit the Frog participating is criticized for its poor quality. The hosts argue that the campaign is a form of mass manipulation, forcing people to participate or face social stigma.
Special K Fat Talk Campaign, Vagina Advertising Logic
Kellogg's Special K launched a PR campaign titled "Fight Fat Talk," which encourages women to stop self-deprecating comments about their weight. The hosts characterize this as "vagina advertising logic," where a brand sells diet products by co-opting a social empowerment message. They note that the campaign has been picked up by major media outlets like the BBC and the Today Show.
An investigation into the popularity of kale suggests it is the result of a coordinated PR campaign from the UK promoting it as a "superfood." The vegetable is described as a "myth" and an "inedible piece of crap" from the cabbage family. The show concludes with a look ahead to the seventh year of broadcasting and a final reminder of the sixth-anniversary celebration on Sunday.
Vitamin Study Claims Higher Death Risk for Women
A widely publicized study in the Archives of Internal Medicine claims that common vitamin supplements may increase the death risk in older women. The hosts deconstruct the study, noting it was based on self-reported surveys over 18 years and was heavily "adjusted" for various factors. They suggest the study is a PR campaign funded by pharmaceutical companies to discourage the use of natural supplements and organic farming.
