#1245 - Andrew Yang
- The Joe Rogan Experience
- Democracy , Russia , Information , Media , Most popular
- February 12, 2019
Table of Contents
At a Glance
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Russian Information Warfare - “They’re just sowing seeds of argument and dissent and they are laughing their asses off laughing and making funny memes… this is the greatest ROI they’ve ever seen.” The hosts discuss how Russian groups have been infiltrating online communities to spread discord.
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Tech Companies’ Limitations - “You know, like you couldn’t even put a dollar figure on it so you have to just say like look i get the tech companies are going to try but they’re not going to be able to pull it off” The hosts acknowledge the challenges faced by tech companies in combating misinformation.
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Need for Clear Demarcation - “If we can’t trust ourselves or each other or what we’re seeing, and this is before deep fakes and the rest of it starts hitting like yeah like if you’re actually going to believe in democracy then you have to start protecting our information as fast as possible…” The hosts emphasize the need for clear demarcation between fact and fiction.
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Importance of Local News - “I mean, one thing I’m saying is like look we had a happy time where local newspapers were supported by classified ads it’s over now but we’re still a democracy you still need some information to vote so we need to try and find new ways for you to get quality information…” The hosts highlight the significance of local news in maintaining an informed citizenry.
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Interconnected Issues - “And so there are a lot of interrelated issues I mean one thing i’m saying is like look we had a happy time where local newspapers were supported by classified ads it’s over now but we’re still a democracy you still need some information to vote…” The hosts recognize the complex relationships between various problems, including misinformation and the decline of local news.
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Urgency and Call to Action - “Things are trending in a terrible, terrible direction… Things are slipping away. We have to start thinking much, much bigger about what we can get done because things are slipping away.” The hosts stress the need for immediate action and creative problem-solving in the face of mounting challenges.
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Closing Message - “Well, Andrew, good luck to you. You’re a good man… I wish you well. Thank you for being here. I think your message is excellent, and I hope you really make an impact.” The hosts conclude with a positive note, wishing the guest success in his endeavors.
What to Do
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Protect Our Information - “And if you believe in democracy, then you have to start protecting our information as fast as possible.” This highlights the importance of safeguarding democratic processes and citizens’ access to accurate information.
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Invest in Quality Information Sources - “We need to try and find new ways for you to get quality information” This suggests that investing in reliable news sources, fact-checking initiatives, or community-driven journalism can help combat misinformation.
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Demand Action from Tech Companies - “Look, I get the tech companies are going to try but they’re not going to be able to pull it off… just say to like the world and say hey this is to russia but anyone else’s same thing” This emphasizes the need for tech companies to take proactive measures against misinformation and disinformation campaigns.
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Set a Legal Standard - “I don’t need like a hundred percent certainty on this. I need like, a legal standard… 80,85%” This highlights the importance of establishing clear guidelines and standards for addressing misinformation and disinformation.
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Support Local News Sources - “There are thousands of local papers just winking out of existence because they used to rely on classified ads… you still need some information to vote” This underscores the significance of preserving local news sources, which can provide vital information for informed decision-making.
What to Get
Summary
Summary
The podcast episode “Information War” features Andrew Yang, a former US presidential candidate, discussing the threats to democracy with Joe Rogan. The conversation revolves around the impact of disinformation and propaganda on society, particularly in the context of online platforms.
Andrew Yang highlights the issue of Russian trolls who pose as individuals involved in social movements like Black Lives Matter or Texas culture, spreading discord and misinformation. He emphasizes that these groups have invested millions of dollars to achieve this effect, causing irreparable harm. Yang argues that tech companies are struggling to contain this problem, but it’s essential for them to take responsibility and acknowledge the issue publicly.
Key Points
- Russian trolls have created fake personas to sow seeds of argument and dissent in various social movements.
- The investment made by these groups is minimal, but their impact is substantial, with some estimates suggesting low tens of millions of dollars spent on this effort.
- Tech companies are failing to effectively contain disinformation on their platforms.
- Local newspapers are dying due to the decline of classified ads, making it difficult for people to access quality information and vote informedly in democratic processes.
Implications
Yang emphasizes that democracy is at stake, and it’s essential to start thinking bigger about solutions. He suggests that while tech companies may not be able to completely eliminate disinformation, they can take steps to acknowledge the issue publicly and address it. Yang also highlights the importance of local news sources in providing quality information for democratic decision-making.
The conversation takes a more hopeful tone towards the end, with Andrew Yang expressing his commitment to addressing these issues if he were to become President. He even proposes hosting a special episode of The Joe Rogan Experience from the White House, should he win the presidency.
Overall, this podcast episode is a thought-provoking discussion about the challenges facing democracy in the digital age and the need for collective action to address them.
