Useful Idiots
February 7, 2024·20 comments·In Brief
Subscribe Today to Read More
Unlock instant access to this and hundreds of other evergreen essays that explore the world of narrative through hard science and human wisdom.
- Make more informed decisions as an investor and citizen.
- See through the nudges of Big Politics and Big Media.
- Become a better consumer of news.
- Maintain your autonomy of mind in a swarm of narratives.
- Join a community of more than 100,000 truth-seekers.
Looking for Deeper Insights?
Unlock exclusive market intelligence, trade ideas, and member-only events tailored for investment professionals and active investors with Perscient Pro.
VISIT PRO
DISCLOSURES
This commentary is being provided to you as general information only and should not be taken as investment advice. The opinions expressed in these materials represent the personal views of the author(s). It is not investment research or a research recommendation, as it does not constitute substantive research or analysis. Any action that you take as a result of information contained in this document is ultimately your responsibility. Epsilon Theory will not accept liability for any loss or damage, including without limitation to any loss of profit, which may arise directly or indirectly from use of or reliance on such information. Consult your investment advisor before making any investment decisions. It must be noted, that no one can accurately predict the future of the market with certainty or guarantee future investment performance. Past performance is not a guarantee of future results.
Statements in this communication are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements and other views expressed herein are as of the date of this publication. Actual future results or occurrences may differ significantly from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements, and there is no guarantee that any predictions will come to pass. The views expressed herein are subject to change at any time, due to numerous market and other factors. Epsilon Theory disclaims any obligation to update publicly or revise any forward-looking statements or views expressed herein. This information is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation of any offer to buy any securities. This commentary has been prepared without regard to the individual financial circumstances and objectives of persons who receive it. Epsilon Theory recommends that investors independently evaluate particular investments and strategies, and encourages investors to seek the advice of a financial advisor. The appropriateness of a particular investment or strategy will depend on an investor's individual circumstances and objectives.
Comments
Not to be confused with Local Idiots
Alas, sometimes a distinction without a difference, I’m afraid!
Really love the defense of clear eyes hear Rusty.
Legit question I don’t know the answer to: is propaganda always bad? Was it wrong for the U.S. to mount propaganda in the US to drum up support for WW2? Is the “means” here always “unjustified?”
I have no idea what the answer is…
Is there some rubicon that Putin could cross where you would say “nobody should give this bad guy a platform of any kind?”
Again, I don’t think I have the answer, so not being a twerp. But the edge cases make all the difference.
Probably the most thorough writing I’ve done on this topic was in Deadly. Holy. Rough. Immediate. In short, no, narrative (and its political variant we call propaganda) is not always an evil. In my view, the only immutable error is to believe one’s self to be immune to it.
I think that can be true for some figures, for example those who have demonstrated consistent sociopathic manipulation of interviews and aren’t in a position of political power. Even then, I don’t think it should be a legislated thing but a social taboo we all enforce together.
But for a Top 20 most powerful political figure in the world, I’m not sure it will ever NOT be in the public interest to allow it (legally and socially), although I think you’re right in identifying that there’s probably a line where the obviously manipulative use the figure intends makes the public interest of “information” less clear.
So I think I have some of the answer, but not The Answer. Team Twerp!
I think I agree with this. Definitely nuanced.
Having just watched the interview, imho this did not end up being a Tucker slobbers Vlad exercise. Putin’s opening 30 minute discourse on (severely distorted and often blatantly wrong) history made him look like a nut. And I would bet that Tucker did gently push back on Vlad more than most people expected him too, including pointing out that this long historical discourse was nonsensical (Tucker asked Vlad “should borders revert to the 1800’s?”), and repeatedly questioning - “if this is all true, why did you wait until 2 years ago to act? What precipitated that?” Which Vlad provided no clear answer to.
I don’t think the idea of Tucker being a useful idiot is confined to him being openly obsequious. Under the guise of “Real Journalism”, he basically gave Putin an essentially uninterrupted half hour to promote 85 year old Nazi propaganda and weird pseudohistorical musings on Ukraine, basically all of the things he wrote about in his 2021 essay. Honestly, it’s more or less exactly what I expected.
The Russian bots/troll farms are on overdrive on X today.
And the useful idiots.
https://twitter.com/JDVance1/status/1756091114732269846
What’s fascinating to me is that Senator Vance provides one of the most succinct definitions of state propaganda I’ve ever seen, but does so as part of an excuse or defense. I agree with him, of course, that many of the crying-treason criticisms of Tucker are both silly and dangerous. I also agree that knowing, spotting and identifying propaganda is important - it’s kinda why we started writing here. We feel strongly about this.
But good Lord, Carlson is on the record repeating those “bogus” stories, most notably on his shows broadcast on the eve of the invasion (Feb 22/23, 2022). I don’t care that the interview happened. But giving credit to someone who has promoted the state propaganda before for publishing a practically uninterrupted and unchallenged primary version of it for shining a light is absolutely wild.
There is no difference between this and the Current Thing journalism that Vance, Tucker, I and others rightfully complain about. Except that for some of us, we’ve decided to treat this one a bit differently because we think it will help our political preference against additional Ukraine aid.
The point is that if you want to understand world affairs and make smart decisions, you have to understand how people see themselves.
-J.D. Vance
The real point, imo, is how do you ‘trump’ (‘biden’) people to give away their birthright autonomy of mind and spirit?
The answer my friend is blowing in the wind (epsilon)
-Bobby Dylan
Propaganda
Any expensive ad represents the toil, attention, testing, wit, art, and skill of many people. Far more thought and care go into the composition of any prominent ad in a newspaper or magazine than go into the writing of their features and editorials.
-Marshall McLuhan
Continue the discussion at the Epsilon Theory Forum...