Informed Paranoia

About Informed Paranoia

For the conspiracy curious, the highly skeptical, the generally bewildered, and other refugees from the post-truth era, we go down the rabbit hole so you don't have to.

Publisher

Lach and Matt

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

21 Jul 2021

Latest episode

5 Dec 2022

Latest episodes

14 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   5 Dec 2022

   Ep. 14 - Kyrie Irving's antisemitism basket-brawl

   Matt, Randall and Lach discuss the conspiracy-theorist NBA star's recent Twitter post to the antisemitic film "Hebrews to Negroes" and the subsequent fallout. Recorded before Kyrie's apology and suspension, we take a look at Kyrie's history of conspiracy beliefs from flat-earth to anti-vax, culminating in a Ye-style identification with the Black Hebrew Israelite movement via a holocaust-denying documentary that claims to have decoded ancient scripture. The uncomfortable truth about the Nazis and the Olympics | The Spectator Australia (https://www.spectator.com.au/2021/07/game-changer-2/) https://www.nba.com/news/kyrie-irving-regrets-flat-earth-comments (https://www.nba.com/news/kyrie-irving-regrets-flat-earth-comments) https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/33746282/brooklyn-nets-kyrie-irving-reiterates-made-right-decision-not-getting-covid-19-vaccine (https://www.espn.com.au/nba/story/_/id/33746282/brooklyn-nets-kyrie-irving-reiterates-made-right-decision-not-getting-covid-19-vaccine) https://nypost.com/2022/10/30/kyrie-irving-doubles-down-on-controversial-book-tweet/ (https://nypost.com/2022/10/30/kyrie-irving-doubles-down-on-controversial-book-tweet/) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=56bwE_Lfw_I https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rj85yKNAVco

2. 

   11 Nov 2022

   Ep. 13 Mew-Anon: Are there Big Cats in the Australian bush? And why that’s not a conspiracy theory

   Lach, Matt and Randall discuss the belief that exotic big cats are thriving in the Australian outback and show how this belief differs from conspiracy thinking. Branches of the rabbit-hole include pseudo-science, problems with bias and perception, conservatism in science and shock allegations linking Nessie to the deaths of prominent members of the British Royal Family. Links: The Missing Panther podcast (https://missingpanther.com.au/) Oumua Mua (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/mystery-of-interstellar-visitor-oumuamua-gets-trickier/) ‘The Bloop’ (https://www.wired.co.uk/article/bloop-mystery-not-solved-sort-of) The International Cryptozoology Museum (https://cryptozoologymuseum.com/about-icm/) 2020 Big cat video (https://www.pedestrian.tv/news/sydney-panther/) The Sydney Morning Herald articles: Big cats not a tall tale (smh.com.au) (https://www.smh.com.au/national/big-cats-not-a-tall-tale-20031102-gdhpcd.html) Hunt for the black panther (smh.com.au) (https://www.smh.com.au/national/hunt-for-the-black-panther-20050227-gdkti5.html)

3. 

   3 Nov 2022

   Ep 12: Trump porn

   Matt, Lach and Randall shamefully ogle the world of Trump erotica, before Matt shares his own questionable contribution to the genre. Branches of the rabbit-hole include Alex Jones, sham oenology and POTUS’s pubes. Links Can Donald Trump be elected president if charged with a crime? PolitiFact | Ask PolitiFact: Can Donald Trump run for president if indicted or convicted of a crime? (https://www.politifact.com/article/2022/mar/07/ask-politifact-can-donald-trump-run-president-if-i/) A brief introduction to the genre of Trump erotica Trump's legacy: dinosaur porn - UnHerd (https://unherd.com/2021/02/whats-the-point-of-trump-erotica/) The literary editor for The Spectator examines the genre. Includes short, hilarious excerpts Trump's legacy: dinosaur porn - UnHerd (https://unherd.com/2021/02/whats-the-point-of-trump-erotica/) VICE Interview with the author of Trump temptations: The billionaire and the bellboy, comedian Elijah Daniel Meet the Comedian Who Wrote a Hit Erotic Novella Starring Donald Trump (vice.com) (https://www.vice.com/en/article/vdxnq9/meet-the-comedian-who-wrote-a-hit-erotic-novella-starring-donald-trump) Nailed it Roue Definition & Meaning - Merriam-Webster (https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/roue)

4. 

   9 Oct 2022

   Ep 11 - Popcornspiracy "The Matrix"

   After a first season of dark and twisted QAnon-esque material, we desperately needed a palate cleanser and so had originally intended on releasing this light light and airy "Popcornspiracy" as a bonus wrap-up episode. But life got in the way and so instead, after a 6-month hiatus, it's now a prelude to season 2! With special guest Randall Banks in tow, we're going back to the spiritual Mecca of modern conspiracy theory - The Matrix.

5. 

   12 Mar 2022

   Ep 10 - The Freedom Convoy to Canberra

   Matt and Lach explain their five-month absence and recap conspiracy news, focusing on the freedom convoy to Canberra. They look back on “what they’ve learned” over the course of the podcast and decide that the true meaning of informed paranoia was the trust they lost along the way. Branches of the rabbit-hole include Scott Morrison’s cooking ability and Alex Jones’ lack of survival instincts.

6. 

   8 Oct 2021

   Ep. 9 - Is Qanon only an online movement?

   Matt and Lach continue their examination of Qanon, this week asking whether it is just an online movement and answering “kind of.” Branches of the rabbit-hole include Cicada 3301 and Trumpist conspiracies. Links: What Happened to the KGB When the Soviet Union Folded? | HowStuffWorks (https://history.howstuffworks.com/world-history/kgb.htm#:~:text=Though%20the%20KGB%20formally%20was%20disbanded%20by%20the,and%20the%20SVR%20%28Foreign%20Intelligence%20Service%29%2C%22%20says%20Walton.) Cicada 3301: I tried the hardest puzzle on the internet and failed spectacularly | Internet | The Guardian (https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/jan/10/cicada-3301-i-tried-the-hardest-puzzle-on-the-internet-and-failed-spectacularly) A Skeptic Infiltrates a Cruise for Conspiracy Theorists | WIRED (https://www.wired.com/2016/02/conspira-sea-cruise-know-truth/) Podcast – You Are Not So Smart (https://youarenotsosmart.com/podcast/) PolitiFact | In Context: What Donald Trump said about disinfectant, sun and coronavirus (https://www.politifact.com/article/2020/apr/24/context-what-donald-trump-said-about-disinfectant-/)

7. 

   1 Oct 2021

   Ep. 8 - Is Qanon far-right?

   Matt and Lach continue to examine Qanon, asking whether it qualifies as far-right and focusing on authoritarianism, totalitarianism and racism in the movement. Metaphors consume the podcast and branches of the rabbit-hole include the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Links: Nasa is a civilian agency (inextricably linked to the military since its founding): Would a Space Force mean the end of NASA? (theconversation.com) (https://theconversation.com/would-a-space-force-mean-the-end-of-nasa-102472) An even worse experience of “We’re not gonna take it”: Trump - We're not going to take it - Tribute (ugetube.com) (https://ugetube.com/watch/trump-we-039-re-not-going-to-take-it-tribute_vzdObEePTdBLB7y.html?__cf_chl_jschl_tk__=pmd_w8t.ktLHoM7CO_cG4CQn5FiITiieIR8T_O0m9Kk5eFY-1633080098-0-gqNtZGzNAmWjcnBszQq9) The Oprah Winfrey arrest conspiracy theory: Fact Check-False QAnon claims that Oprah is wearing an ankle monitor during interview | Reuters (https://www.reuters.com/article/factcheck-oprah-ankle-idUSL1N2L81CO) In their own words, The Proud Boys espouse anti-racism as a key belief but also state that they are “Western chauvinists.” Racist and hateful comments from members are collected in the link below: Proud Boys | Southern Poverty Law Center (splcenter.org) (https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/group/proud-boys) Talia Lavin’s Culture Warlords: Culture Warlords: My Journey Into the Dark Web of White Supremacy by Talia Lavin | Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/50997978-culture-warlords) Natalie Wynn describes techniques employed by white-supremacists to conceal their agenda: Decrypting the Alt-Right: How to Recognize a F@scist | ContraPoints - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx4BVGPkdzk&t=996s)

8. 

   25 Sept 2021

   Ep.7 - 'Out of shadows' and conspiracy narratives

   Matt and Lach begin their deep-dive into Qanon and its potential appeal for Australians by analysing a common entry-point for believers- the documentary ‘Out of Shadows’. Its failure to turn them into Q-believers demonstrates how Qanon is more like a narrative than a theory, likely to appeal based on factors linked to your own personality rather than its inherent credibility. Branches of the rabbit-hole include Disney films and teledildonics. Links: Liv Crokin’s health crises Former Chicago gossip columnist Liz Crokin is now a star among far-right conspiracy theorists - Chicago Reader Why My STD Didn't Ruin My Shot At Happily Ever After (elitedaily.com) Stirnisko et al on conspiracy narratives: The dark side of social movements: social identity, non-conformity, and the lure of conspiracy theories (eou.edu) Can’t link to ‘Out of Shadows’ due to a ban on content promoting Qanon, so Adam Curtis’ “The Century of the Self” is a better documentary on how the media manipulates us psychologically: The Century of the Self - Part 1: "Happiness Machines" - YouTube

9. 

   15 Sept 2021

   Ep. 6 - Preparing for the Q dump

   Lach and Matt explore "how to" handle conspiracy theorists and cover some current events in Australia on the conspiracy spectrum such as antivax, climate change heating up, and Youtube vs Sky News. Episode 6 links: Police access QR code check-in data (https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/breach-of-trust-police-using-qr-check-in-data-to-solve-crimes-20210903-p58om8.html) Correction- Tim Stewart is Scott Morrison’s Q-promoting friend (https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2021/jun/07/scott-morrison-and-qanon-what-we-already-know-about-the-prime-ministers-connection-to-a-conspiracy-theorist). Tim Fischer was the former leader of the National Party and despite apparently entertaining some conspiracy theories, has no connection to Qanon. Youtube issues a strike against Sky news (https://www.theguardian.com/media/2021/aug/01/sky-news-australia-banned-from-youtube-for-seven-days-over-covid-misinformation) Climate change report (https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-08-10/coal-climate-change-covered-in-ipcc-reports-key-questions/100355954) Climate change coal Nature article (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-021-03821-8)

10. 

    2 Sept 2021

    Ep. 5 - Collective psychosis

    Lach and Matt explore a “theory of conspiracy theories” in an attempt to characterise the effect a pandemic of misinformation is having on the collective psyche. Did astronomers find an alien craft? A Possible Link between ‘Oumuamua and Unidentified Aerial Phenomena (https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-possible-link-between-oumuamua-and-unidentified-aerial-phenomena/) Dr Colin Klein's (ANU) research on r/conspiracy Study shows there’s nothing wacky about conspiracy theorists (https://www.anu.edu.au/news/all-news/study-shows-there%E2%80%99s-nothing-wacky-about-conspiracy-theorists) BBC reporting on a case of "folie a deux" Tromp family: The mystery of a tech-free road trip gone wrong (https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-37293494)

11. 

    13 Aug 2021

    Ep. 4 - Moloch and the Bohemian Grove Part 2

    Lach and Matt relate the infiltration of the Bohemian Grove by UK writer Jon Ronson and conspiracy demagogue Alex Jones, emerging slightly pilled and questioning how to reframe your reality after learning bizarre truths. Links: Alex Jones expresses his concerns for amphibians: "Turning the Freaking Frogs Gay" - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tVrntKgdN0https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tVrntKgdN0) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3tVrntKgdN0 Alex Jones full documentary, Dark Secrets Inside Bohemian Grove (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpKdSvwYsrE) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FpKdSvwYsrE Introduction and other extracts from Jon Ronson’s Them: Adventures with extremists (http://www.jonronson.com/them.html) http://www.jonronson.com/them.html

12. 

    7 Aug 2021

    Ep. 3 - Moloch and the Bohemian Grove Part 1

    Matt and Lach leave Pizzagate behind and look at the related claim that Hillary Clinton admits to devil-worship in a leaked email. Branches of the rabbit-hole include Ancient Near-Eastern religion, black magick and David Icke. Matt attempts to initiate Lach into the mysteries of the Bohemian Grove. A basic introduction to Bohemian Grove by The Washington Post Bohemian Grove: Where the rich and powerful go to misbehave - The Washington Post (https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/bohemian-grove-where-the-rich-and-powerful-go-to-misbehave/2011/06/15/AGPV1sVH_blog.html) https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/blogpost/post/bohemian-grove-where-the-rich-and-powerful-go-to-misbehave/2011/06/15/AGPV1sVH_blog.html This article includes a link to Phillip Weiss’ 1989 reporting on Bohemian Grove for Spy Magazine Masters of the Universe Go to Camp: Inside the Bohemian Grove (ucsc.edu) (https://whorulesamerica.ucsc.edu/power/bohemian_grove_spy.html) https://whorulesamerica.ucsc.edu/power/bohemian_grove_spy.html In discussing the links between Moloch and Bohemian Grove, I draw heavily on the work of conspiracy researcher Terry Melanson for Conspiracy Archive, who identified the link with David Icke’s The Biggest Secret Bohemian Grove: Molochs, Moles and Rituals – Conspiracy Archive (https://www.conspiracyarchive.com/2013/12/16/bohemian-grove-molochs-moles-and-rituals/) https://www.conspiracyarchive.com/2013/12/16/bohemian-grove-molochs-moles-and-rituals/

13. 

    29 Jul 2021

    Ep. 2 - Pizzagate Part 2

    Matt and Lach continue their analysis of the doughy mess that is Pizzagate, focusing on those who promoted the theory and its tragic repercussions for the figures of James Alefantis and Maddison Welch. Matt attempts a risky "reverse debunking" of the paedophile symbology claimed by Pizzagate "investigators." Links: Andrew Rossi (Dir.) - After Truth Disinformation and the Cost of Fake News 2020 1080p WEBRip x264 RARBG - YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6hzehEbJ0I&t=1675s) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6hzehEbJ0I&t=1675s Gregor Aisch, Jon Huang and Cecilia Kang - Dissecting the #PizzaGate Conspiracy Theories - The New York Times (nytimes.com) (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/10/business/media/pizzagate.html) https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2016/12/10/business/media/pizzagate.html

14. 

    21 Jul 2021

    Ep. 1 - Pizzagate Part 1

    Matt and Lach look at the historical context of the leak of the personal email of Clinton Campaign Manager John Podesta, examine the sources of the so-called "pedo-code" that is the basis of the bizarre Internet phenomenon that is Pizzagate and debunk the "proofs" behind it. Links and further reading: Richard J. Hofstader- "The paranoid style in American politics." Hofstadter.pdf (washington.edu) (http://faculty.washington.edu/jwilker/353/Hofstadter.pdf) Joshua Moore- "Pizzagate: and the Research that nobody wanted to do." Pizzagate: and the Research that nobody wanted to do – C U L T I C (wordpress.com) (https://jurneywrites.wordpress.com/2020/04/17/pizzagate-and-the-research-that-nobody-wanted-to-do/) Ben Schreckinger- "World War Meme" World War Meme - POLITICO Magazine (https://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2017/03/memes-4chan-trump-supporters-trolls-internet-214856/) Lulz University, Geneva- "The psychology of 4chan" https://tinyurl.com/f8ewe5a8 (https://tinyurl.com/f8ewe5a8)

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Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.