“Try to be the pond.” 🐠“Try to be the pond.” 🐠
Misfit Stars
"Try to be the pond." There’s a thread running through a few of the topics we cover this week: how fomenting unreality can turn into real harms suffered by real people in the real world. Like how Russian propaganda led directly to Putin’s war agains...
57:55•9 Mar 2022
Misfit Stars: Unraveling Propaganda's Impact on Patriotism
“I should like to be able to love my country and still love justice. And to love it, maybe even not as much for where it currently is, but for the ideal, perhaps unfulfilled, of what it could be, the promise of what it could be.”
In this episode of the Misfit Stars Podcast, Shannon Curtis and Jamie Hill tackle the heavy yet crucial topic of propaganda and its ripple effects on patriotism in America. It's a deep dive into how Russian misinformation has fueled the conflict in Ukraine and how deregulation in the U.S. media landscape has led to tangible harms.
They don't shy away from controversial issues, such as the mythologized version of patriotism that can be more harmful than helpful, and how certain political policies have threatened essential services like the Post Office. Through their candid discussion, Shannon and Jamie highlight the importance of being discerning consumers of news and information. They stress that staying informed without getting overwhelmed is key to shaping a just and equitable society.
This episode isn't just about pointing out problems; it's about understanding them to foster a better future. If you're looking for an engaging conversation that mixes current events with heartfelt insights, this episode is a must-listen.

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