Why Does Mainstream Media Suck So Much? - Dave Smith

The Mainstream Media in 2024 0s

• The corporate media apparatus in Western countries, including the United States, is viewed as essentially state propaganda, with its primary function being to cover for powerful people and spin narratives that those in power wish for the general public to believe 19s.
• This role of the media has been consistent over time, with examples such as the media's involvement in lying the United States into the Vietnam War 56s.
• However, what is striking about the current state of the media is how profoundly stupid the propaganda has become and its inability to adjust to new facts on the ground 1m8s.
• A notable example of this is the media's coverage of Tony Hinchcliffe's speech at a rally, where the video of his insult comic routine went viral on social media, while mainstream media outlets like CNN struggled to get views on their daytime shows 1m29s.
• The lies and misinformation spread by the media are not new, but the blatant nature of these lies, such as those about Joe Biden and Kamala Harris, has become more apparent 2m25s.
• The best outcome of the recent election and its fallout is that the corporate media has finally had to admit that it is no longer the mainstream, and that the real action is now with independent media outlets and internet shows 2m50s.
• The mainstream media now often gets its best clicks by commenting on what independent media is doing, highlighting the shift in power and influence in the media landscape 3m18s.
• This shift has been evident in the numbers, with independent media outlets and internet shows gaining more traction and attention than traditional mainstream media outlets 3m10s.

Being Called Out By Sam Harris 3m36s

• Mainstream media outlets, such as CNN and ABC News, are often criticized for lacking intelligent and thoughtful content, with some internet shows being considered more informative and engaging 4m39s.
• The criticism of mainstream media is not entirely unfounded, as some shows, like Joe Rogan's, feature guests who provide in-depth analysis on complex topics, such as the history of Ukraine or the Israeli-Palestinian conflict 3m52s.
• Sam Harris has expressed concerns about the credibility of guests on shows like Joe Rogan's, suggesting that they may not be qualified to discuss certain topics, but this criticism can be seen as an attempt to rationalize away his own mistakes in reporting major stories 4m24s.
• The lack of thoughtful and interesting content on mainstream media outlets has led to a reliance on alternative sources, such as internet shows, for accurate analysis and insight 6m32s.
• While it is acknowledged that everyone has biases, the fact that mainstream media is often driven by a desire to conform to social norms or advance a particular agenda is seen as a major problem 6m44s.
• The criticism of mainstream media is not just about identifying problems, but also about proposing solutions, and in this case, it seems that alternative sources, such as Dave Smith and Joe Rogan, are filling the void left by mainstream media 7m17s.
• The reliance on alternative sources for accurate analysis and insight is seen as a damning indictment of the current media landscape 6m30s.
• Despite the limitations of alternative sources, they are often considered more valuable than mainstream media outlets, with some commentators suggesting that even flawed sources can provide more insightful commentary than traditional media 6m5s.
• The value of alternative sources is not limited to their ability to provide accurate analysis, but also to their willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and engage in thoughtful discussions 5m58s.
• The fact that mainstream media outlets are often seen as lacking in honesty, usefulness, and interesting insights is a major concern, and the reliance on alternative sources is a symptom of this problem 6m22s.
• Mainstream media's failure to provide quality content has led to the rise of alternative sources, with some individuals like Joe Rogan surpassing traditional media outlets in popularity despite having significantly fewer resources 7m30s.
• The lack of strong masculine influences in the lives of young men, combined with the portrayal of masculinity as toxic, has led some to seek out alternative role models, such as Andrew Tate 8m14s.
• The differences in behavior between young boys and girls from an early age, with boys being more energetic and prone to physical activity, are often stifled by societal expectations that view masculinity as bad and femininity as good 9m32s.
• The rise of far-right and far-left radical groups can be attributed to the failure of the establishment to provide a sense of peace, prosperity, and a healthy society, leading people to seek out alternative ideologies 10m6s.
• The popularity of Bernie Sanders' wing and right-wing populist movements among voters can be seen as a rejection of the current establishment and a desire for change, with people seeking to move away from what they perceive as moderate or reasonable 10m33s.
• Young people on the left are embracing socialism as a reaction against the current system, while the right-wing populist movement is more incoherent in its ideology and lacks a clear theory 11m1s.
• The concept of opposing big government right-wing populism has started to emerge, with individuals like V. Ramaswami pushing against it, but this may not be the best theory 11m22s.
• Donald Trump's "drain the swamp" message resonated with voters who felt the system was corrupt, unifying many people in their opposition to the perceived corruption 11m39s.
• The "drain the swamp" message was enough to unify people across different groups, including those who did not like Donald Trump, but opposed the perceived corruption 11m51s.
• A significant portion of Americans, 69%, have little to no trust in the corporate media, while 31% have some level of trust 12m5s.

Is The Media Trying to Regain Our Trust? 12m15s

• The media is unlikely to learn from its mistakes and change its ways, as it is strongly incentivized not to admit its errors, even to itself 12m23s.
• Post-mortems of the media's performance have been inadequate, with some blaming sexism and racism, while others acknowledge minor mistakes but fail to address the root issues 12m39s.
• The media has consistently gotten major issues wrong, always on the side of power, and has failed to admit its lies and biases 13m25s.
• The corporate media has a history of getting it wrong on significant issues, including the war in Iraq, the financial recession, and Russia gate, always on the side of the CIA 13m36s.
• The media has also failed to acknowledge the true state of the economy, pretending it is great when it is actually terrible for working people 14m6s.
• The media's inability to grapple with its mistakes and loss of credibility is a major issue, and it is unlikely to change without a fundamental shift in its approach 14m32s.
• Kamala Harris's decision not to appear on Joe Rogan's podcast was likely a wise move, as she is not capable of speaking openly and unguardedly for an extended period 14m55s.
• The new standard for presidential candidates is to participate in unedited, in-depth conversations, which is a challenge for those who rely on talking points and are not prepared to think deeply about policy issues 15m27s.
• The corporate media and progressive establishment Democrats are not well-suited to this new standard, as they are not built to handle unscripted and in-depth conversations 15m50s.
• The media landscape is changing, with independent media crossing over into the mainstream, as seen in recent events such as the COVID lab leak hypothesis and vaccine skepticism discussions 17m37s.
• There have been several "breakthrough" moments for independent media, including the CNN horse Dormer incident with Joe, the "n-word" video, and the rise of independent media personalities such as Mr. Huberman 17m38s.
• The election has brought independent media into the public's eye, with many people invested in the outcome and seeking alternative sources of information 18m4s.
• It's possible that within the next four years, more than 50% of the population will prefer independent media over traditional sources like MSNBC or CNN 18m22s.
• A significant portion of people may want independent media personalities like Joe Rogan, Glenn, Douglas Murray, and others to host presidential debates instead of traditional networks 18m44s.
• The idea of having a presidential debate on a traditional network now seems ridiculous, and it's possible that independent media will become the preferred platform for such events 19m7s.
• In the past, traditional journalists would deride Twitter and podcasts, but now it's clear that these platforms are just as relevant as traditional media 19m27s.
• The rise of independent media has changed the way people consume information, and it's likely that this trend will continue in the future 19m34s.
• Mainstream media is compared to a show, with cameras, microphones, and a focus on viewership, regardless of the platform it's on, whether it's the internet or television 19m52s.
• The number of viewers is what truly matters, and it's noted that if Elon Musk and Joe Rogan were to host the next presidential debates, they would likely get orders of magnitude more viewers than if Jake Tapper were to host it 20m9s.
• The idea of having popular figures like Elon Musk and Joe Rogan host significant events like presidential debates is considered to make more sense in terms of attracting a larger audience, as opposed to traditional mainstream media figures like Jake Tapper 20m22s.

Should We Salvage Mainstream Media? 20m40s

• There's a consideration that mainstream media could be salvaged and improved, rather than completely discarded, as they have a lot of resources and have spent a long time figuring out how media works, but are currently pointing in the wrong direction 21m9s.
• Institutions can become so corrupt and evil that they lose their legitimacy and right to exist, and it's possible that corporate media has crossed that line 21m50s.
• The corporate media has lied to the American people, leading to wars that have resulted in the slaughter of millions of innocent people, and this is not just a matter of mistakes or misinformation, but rather blatant lies 22m40s.
• The plans to topple governments in Iraq, Libya, Syria, and other countries were already in place before the wars started, and the corporate media helped to justify these plans with false information 23m11s.
• The consequences of these wars have been devastating, with millions of innocent people killed, trillions of dollars wasted, and the region destabilized, which is enough to say that the corporate media has lost its legitimacy and right to exist 24m0s.
• The role of the corporate media is supposed to be to inform the public, but instead, they have been complicit in spreading lies and propaganda to justify wars and other destructive policies 24m13s.
• The comparison to the Soviet Union is made because, like the Soviet Union, the corporate media has become a powerful institution that serves the interests of those in power, rather than the public interest 22m27s.
• Four-star General Wesley Clark has spoken out about the plans to topple governments in the Middle East, and his testimony is evidence of the corporate media's complicity in spreading lies and propaganda 23m8s.
• The role of mainstream media has shifted from being a champion of the people to being an enemy of the people, and some believe that the institution should be abolished due to its failures 24m25s.
• There is a growing loss of faith in mainstream media, with many people feeling that it has failed to serve the working class and has instead become a source of misinformation 24m38s.
• The last five years have seen a significant decline in the credibility of mainstream media, with many institutions, including universities, facing criticism for their handling of various issues 24m42s.
• The "parental clout gauge" is a measure of when a story has reached mainstream significance, which is when it is discussed by parents on social media platforms like Facebook Messenger 25m12s.
• The rise of alternative media sources, such as podcasts and live streams, may be the future of the media landscape, but there is still a need for traditional media to cover important but boring stories, such as meteorological insights and surveys 26m11s.
• The question remains as to who will fill the vacuum left by mainstream media's decline, and whether alternative sources will be able to provide accurate and unbiased information 26m49s.
• The decline of mainstream media has led to a trend of people seeking alternative sources of information, with some individuals, such as Andrew Tate, gaining widespread attention and notoriety through social media and alternative media platforms 25m39s.

Why Journalists Are Leaving X for Bluesky 26m58s

• The departure of journalists and users from Twitter to Blue Sky is seen as a significant change in the social media landscape, with some viewing it as a necessary move to challenge prevailing ideas and strengthen opposing viewpoints 27m0s.
• The current state of discourse is compared to a situation where muscles have atrophied from lack of use, and the only way to recover is to engage in challenging discussions and "lift heavy things" again 28m48s.
• The exit of some users from Twitter is attributed to their reliance on censorship and the inability to compete in the marketplace of ideas, and it is predicted that this will not change the dynamic of popular shows and accounts 29m25s.
• The purchase of Twitter by Elon Musk and his endorsement of a candidate is seen as a significant event, with some on the left having previously been happy with the "finger being pressed on the scale" when it favored their side 30m13s.
• The idea that opposing viewpoints should be engaged with and challenged is emphasized, rather than relying on censorship or avoiding difficult discussions 29m2s.
• The example of Ben Shapiro and Jordan Peterson's debates with college students is cited as an example of how challenging prevailing ideas can be beneficial, even if it is uncomfortable or difficult 27m27s.
• The move to Blue Sky is seen as an attempt by some to remove themselves from the conversation and avoid engaging with opposing viewpoints, but it is predicted that this will not be effective in changing the dynamic 29m40s.
• The current perception of Twitter becoming right-leaning and suppressing left-wing voices may be a move back to balance, as people were previously accustomed to a different situation, making the current state feel extreme by comparison 30m36s.
• The suppression of certain groups on social media platforms led to the creation of alternative platforms like Gab and Truth Social, but most people still used mainstream platforms, and the recent changes may lead to further fragmentation and siloing of different groups 31m5s.
• This fragmentation could exacerbate echo chambers and biases, as algorithms and followers already contribute to this issue, and the lack of exposure to opposing views may worsen the problem 31m39s.
• The increased myopia on both sides may lead to a greater misunderstanding of opposing views, as people are less likely to engage in reasonable discussions or be exposed to different perspectives 31m57s.
• The influence of wealthy individuals in politics is not a new phenomenon, as seen in the example of Woodrow Wilson's presidential campaign being funded by big bankers, which led to the passage of the Federal Reserve Act 32m42s.
• The Federal Reserve Act gave private banking interests control over the nation's credit supply, allowing them to create money and lend it to banks at low interest rates, which is seen as a blatant scam 33m1s.
• The distinction between a wealthy individual supporting a candidate for personal gain versus genuinely believing in their policies is important, as the former would be opposed, but the latter is a more nuanced issue 33m48s.
• The idea of having people from different platforms and ideologies come together to share a country and have a collective argument is appealing, but it's not a new concept and hasn't been the dynamic in the past 34m22s.
• There's a willingness to engage in good faith conversations with people from corporate media, such as Chris Cuomo, as long as they're open to debating and discussing topics in a respectful manner 34m39s.
• Unifying for the sake of unifying isn't always positive, and there need to be standards in any type of relationship, including conversations and debates 35m0s.
• After years of censorship and perceived tyranny, there's a desire for a conversation where both sides can express their opinions without being censored, and those who refuse to participate in such a conversation can choose to leave 35m39s.
• The standard for these conversations should be that neither side gets censored, and this is a principle that critics of the covid response have adhered to, advocating for debate rather than censorship 35m50s.
• There's an asymmetry in the willingness to have debates, with one side being open to discussion and the other relying on censorship, and if the latter loses the ability to censor, their response should not be to leave the conversation 36m16s.
• The comparison is made to a relationship where one partner refuses to change their behavior and instead chooses to leave, highlighting the need for mutual respect and open communication in any conversation or relationship 36m27s.

How Does Mainstream Media Get So Many Things So Wrong? 36m40s

• Mainstream media outlets often prioritize sensationalism and emotional manipulation over factual reporting, as seen in a recent article that downplayed the fact that a person who killed an American citizen was an illegal immigrant, instead focusing on how the perpetrator was unfairly treated 36m40s.
• The New York Times has been known to engage in biased reporting, such as in a fact-check article about RFK that presented misleading information 37m15s.
• The View has also been criticized for its biased reporting, including a segment about Joe Rogan that presented misinformation 37m31s.
• Many mainstream media outlets seem to be out of touch with the current state of affairs and are unable to adapt to new information or changing circumstances 38m1s.
• This inability to adapt may be due to a combination of factors, including complicity, cowardice, coordination, or compliance, rather than simply ignorance 38m20s.
• Another factor may be that many people in the media industry are set in their ways and resistant to change, making it difficult for them to learn new things or consider alternative perspectives 38m36s.
• The New York Times has been accused of presenting contradictory information in its articles, such as in a recent piece that stated someone got something wrong, only to claim in the next sentence that they got it right 39m11s.
• Many mainstream media outlets seem to be more interested in maintaining their existing narratives and biases than in presenting accurate information or engaging with new ideas 39m31s.
• Despite their biases and inaccuracies, many mainstream media outlets continue to present themselves as authoritative sources of information, even when their audiences are significantly smaller than those of alternative media outlets 39m52s.
• Mainstream media's strategy of lying about someone can be ineffective if the person has a large audience, as more people will hear the truth and those who hear the lie will know it's false 40m22s.
• In the past, mainstream media had a monopoly on information, allowing them to lie about people and remove them from public discourse if they wanted to 40m44s.
• The media often takes an indiscretion or error and claims it's indicative of an entire ideology, using it to label someone as a bigot, racist, or other negative terms 41m25s.
• The Joe Rogan controversy is an example of this, where the media claimed a statement was the "tip of the iceberg" and indicative of a larger problem, but millions of people who had seen the full context disagreed 41m43s.
• This playbook is tired and makes people more cautious about what they say, fearing that a minor misspeak will be misconstrued and used against them 42m35s.
• Having a large audience and being transparent can help to mitigate this, as people can see the full context and make their own judgments 42m51s.
• Long-form conversations, like those on The Joe Rogan Experience, can help to build a relationship with listeners and provide a more nuanced understanding of a person's views 43m3s.
• These conversations are often unscripted and allow people to see how someone thinks and responds to new information 43m31s.
• Joe Rogan's authenticity and consistency in his content have created a strong bond with his audience, making it difficult for others to cancel or criticize him, as his fans already know his personality and views 43m45s.
• The rise of frictionless media platforms, such as Substack and vlogging, has allowed creators to publish content without heavy editing or curation, which contrasts with the more curated and controlled world of mainstream media 44m51s.
• This contrast highlights the problems with mainstream media, which can be seen as perverted or molested, and makes it clear that some individuals in the media are either malignant or out of touch 45m26s.
• The culture of political correctness and wokeism has created a system where certain topics are off-limits, and those who touch on them are supposed to be ruined, which can stifle intellectual curiosity and creativity 45m58s.
• The need for people who can think freely and sometimes get things wrong is essential for intellectual growth, and provocative thinkers who challenge conventional wisdom can be valuable, even if they are sometimes wrong or offensive 46m21s.
• The attempt to cancel or silence individuals who think differently can be seen as a threat to intellectual freedom and the exchange of ideas, and those who try to do so are often resented 47m18s.
• There is a concern about discussing certain topics due to the potential perception of being a bad person, but it's the unconventional thinkers who will stand up against totalitarianism when it arises 47m28s.
• Unconventional thinkers are important because they have the personality type to oppose the status quo and challenge authority, even when everyone else is falling in line 47m47s.
• Joe is an example of someone who has views outside of the box and enjoys discussing conspiracies, which can be part of what makes his content fun and interesting to listen to 48m1s.

Thoughts on the Libertarian Party 48m18s

• The Libertarian worldview is centered around the struggle between tyranny and Liberty, with Liberty being the key to a moral and prosperous society, and governments being agents of aggression that bring destruction when out of control 48m44s.
• The Libertarian Party faces significant challenges in the US due to the system being rigged against third parties, making it unlikely for the party to take over the Republican Party or achieve significant power anytime soon 49m31s.
• Angela McCardell, the chair of the Libertarian Party, has done a phenomenal job in reimagining the party's role and securing concessions from Donald Trump before his win, which may lead to some positive changes 49m48s.
• The country needs Liberty, and the Libertarian Party has a lot to add to the conversation about corruption in Washington, particularly in understanding that the essence of corruption is the government's size and power 50m32s.
• The government's ability to extract wealth from the American people and hand it out to political cronies is a significant source of corruption, and drastic cuts in government spending are the only answer to this problem 51m32s.
• The idea of "draining the swamp" is terrifying for government bureaucrats and middle management, as it threatens to expose their corruption and inefficiencies 51m55s.
• The hostile attitude towards Donald Trump since 2016 can be explained by his promise to "drain the swamp" and his perceived threat to the corrupt system in Washington 52m32s.
• The example of Elon Musk's takeover of Twitter, where he significantly reduced the workforce and increased efficiency, demonstrates that many government jobs are unnecessary and that drastic cuts can be effective 53m20s.

Pressure on the Republicans to Succeed in Government 53m40s

• The current state of mainstream media is being questioned, with a focus on the challenges of delivering change and making something happen, rather than just complaining from the sidelines 53m40s.
• The failure of Kamala Harris' campaign is cited as an example of the difficulties of being a change candidate while also having legitimacy due to prior experience in office 54m20s.
• The concept of "wokeness" is discussed, with the possibility that it may be retracted not only due to criticism from the right but also from the left, as they reassess their approach to gaining power 54m51s.
• The dynamic of the media and politics may change over the next four years, as the rebellious nature of speaking truth to power is no longer applicable when in power 55m26s.
• The challenges of building something new and taking on entrenched interests in Washington DC are highlighted, with the example of draining the swamp and cutting down on corruption 55m40s.
• The difficulties of implementing campaign promises, such as deporting all illegal immigrants, are discussed, with the example of Donald Trump's campaign rhetoric and the resistance that would be faced in implementing such policies 56m11s.
• The media's role in amplifying humanitarian catastrophes and mistreatment of migrants is noted, and how this would affect the calculation of how to accomplish campaign promises 56m35s.
• The failure of Donald Trump's presidency to deliver on his campaign promises is cited as an example of the challenges of turning rhetoric into reality 57m12s.
• Donald Trump's first term was marked by a lack of understanding of the depth of the "Swamp" in Washington and the opposition he would face, despite having some ideas about how to tackle issues 57m14s.
• Trump's 2016 campaign included a theme of improving relations with Russia, specifically working together to combat ISIS, but he was framed as a Russian spy, making it difficult to implement this policy 57m30s.
• The media's portrayal of Trump as a Russian spy made it challenging for him to make a deal with Russia, as it would have been seen as proof of the allegations 58m1s.
• Trump had to back off from his initial plan due to the intense opposition and scrutiny he faced, making it difficult to manipulate the system to get things done 58m17s.
• Even Trump was surprised by the lack of preparation and process in place when he first took office, unlike Hillary Clinton, who would have had more experience and guidance from her husband 58m55s.
• Project 2025 was an attempt to prepare for Trump's potential re-election, but its effectiveness is unclear, and the current situation is different, with Trump having more experience and evidence to support his policies 59m15s.
• Trump's second term, if he were to be re-elected, would be different from his first, with a bigger victory, a win in the popular vote, and a cultural shift that has reduced the energy of his opposition, including groups like Antifa and Black Block 59m55s.
• Protests against the war in Gaza have been ongoing for the last year, making it challenging for people to shift their energy to protesting other issues, such as comedian Tony Hinchcliffe's jokes at Madison Square Garden 1h0m40s.
• In contrast, if Donald Trump had held an event at Madison Square Garden in 2016, there would have been tens of thousands of protesters outside, but recently, only around a hundred people showed up to protest 1h1m9s.
• Donald Trump is uniquely positioned to achieve his goals, having control of Congress, the Supreme Court, and having won the popular vote, with less resistance behind him 1h1m38s.
• This opportunity is seen as a significant one, with some people urging Trump to "drain the swamp" and take action, with pressure on him to deliver 1h1m47s.

Where to Find Dave 1h1m51s

• To keep up-to-date with Dave Smith's work, people can visit his website, partoftheproblem.com, which hosts his podcast and other content 1h1m58s.
• Dave Smith can also be found on Twitter under the handle @comicdavesmith 1h2m4s.
• The podcast "Part of the Problem" is a primary platform for Dave Smith's work and updates 1h2m1s.