Fireside Chats, Episode 66: The Great Russian Disruption
Added 2018-12-05 17:01:01 +0000 UTCI don't know if you've heard, but Russia Hacked the Election. Well, kinda. The entire fiasco has become more of a nebulous talking point designed to score political points than anything we can focus on and sink our teeth into. But here's the thing: Russia really did launch a coordinated operation to disrupt our system, and through all the muck and mess, we still have to deal with it. Today's guest is an ex-US military Psychological Operations Specialist with an incredible amount of insight into what happened, why, and perhaps most importantly, what we can do about it. Is Russia an existential threat to the United States? Well, no, they're not. But by fomenting internal divisions, they may, in the end, get exactly what they want: A significantly weakened America defined by infighting and internal distrust.
Comments
Glad you liked it, Michael. Hope you're doing well!
Colin Moriarty
2018-12-21 00:57:31 +0000 UTCI finally got around to listening to this. Great episode! And thanks for the shoutout Colin! =) Russia capitalized on our own horrible social media culture. Discourse is dying and social media is the reason. I like his take on China. China is a much greater threat than Russia, and he points out how military Generals and Admirals know this, and NOBODY is listening to them.
Mikey
2018-12-20 13:44:05 +0000 UTCI hope you enjoy!
Colin Moriarty
2018-12-17 01:39:02 +0000 UTCThanks, Jeshua! I'm so glad that you enjoyed the episode. =)
Colin Moriarty
2018-12-17 01:38:54 +0000 UTCI usually stay away from political content in general but I’m very eager to dive into this one!
John Fazio
2018-12-12 18:20:52 +0000 UTCIncredible FSC! One of my favorites to date! He was well spoken, concise, and rediculously informative! I learned a ton in this episode. The few parts i fell slightly short of fully understanding, I paused and immediatly research. i was utterly fascinated. Its probably not possible but I would to have him back down the road or even on standby for his insights or thoughts on possible future foreign issues that would arise. He's 29?! He has the mind of a man double his age. Incredible I do wanna say the Russia issue i think is truly one of the greatest threats/attacks to the US since the Cuban missile crises. Not because of influencing the election. No, other factors played a much larger role in that. No, what troubles me, is since the advent of the internet, and with that, social media, people have stoped having intelligent discourse and conversation. Now everyone picks a side and only conversates on that side. Everyone lives in those echo chambers now. Russia found those echo chambers walked in blew into a megaphone. They helped stoke that anger into a full blown rage. Yes, the US has done such things, but theres a big diffence between doing this in countries like Venezua, and Columbia, and doing it to a world power like the US. And maybe the US trued this in China or Russia but those are not democracies where the power lies with the people with free speech that allows for an internal culture war to possibly become a civil war. Americas greatest strengths are also its greatest weaknesses. Russia just exploited it. Will America fall like Rome? We shall see. Anyways, Great job Colin!
Jeshua Anderson
2018-12-12 02:54:49 +0000 UTCLOL.
Colin Moriarty
2018-12-10 19:02:01 +0000 UTCMind went to this episode immediately during the part that mimics this in the conversation.
Jason Bolla
2018-12-08 07:39:08 +0000 UTCJERRY: You can't give something and then take it back. I mean, what are you... (catches himself) WINONA: What? JERRY: A uh, a person that uh... WINONA: A person that what? JERRY: Well, a person that gives something and then they're dissatisfied and they wish they had, had never uh... WINONA: And? JERRY: ...give, given it to the person that they originally gave it to. WINONA: You mean like, an Indian giver?! JERRY: I'm sorry, I'm not familiar with that term.
Jason Bolla
2018-12-08 07:37:39 +0000 UTCI definitely have issues with ways we've interfered with other governments. I strongly suspect that some of our immigration woes partially result from some of those activities. Beyond the more obvious hacking or blackmailing, I would be very concerned about a foreign agent coming here, posing as one of us to instigate disharmony and drive us toward extremes. The reason I think Russia moved things towards Trump support - besides Putin and he being soul mates - is because of the extreme social divide it has amplified among us. Socially - we are more divided now than we were prior to 2016. "A house divided..."
2018-12-07 00:02:12 +0000 UTCI'm not entirely sure I'm concerned about it even now. These are disinformation campaigns. We've been known to conduct one or two, ourselves. That said, we should hold those responsible accountable. If they were literally HACKING the election, changing results, blackmailing people, etc., well... that's different.
Colin Moriarty
2018-12-06 22:38:03 +0000 UTCThanks for joining me, Dustin. I appreciate it!
Colin Moriarty
2018-12-06 22:37:11 +0000 UTCYou're very welcome. Thank you for listening!
Colin Moriarty
2018-12-06 22:36:59 +0000 UTCThank you so much!
Colin Moriarty
2018-12-06 22:36:46 +0000 UTCOr maybe... He is a Russian bot? Plot thickens Comrade!
tejotl
2018-12-06 21:31:46 +0000 UTCReally cool discussion. It always surprised me that Colin didn't seem very worried about the implications of Russians messing with our elections or seeding social discontent. Or maybe he didn't really think it was happening in a significant way?
2018-12-06 20:14:33 +0000 UTCThanks again Colin for the opportunity! Episode turned out great. Hope everyone enjoys it!
2018-12-06 18:10:33 +0000 UTCA great discussion. Great change of pace when compared to discussions based on feelings and whatnot. Thank you both for the conversation!
tejotl
2018-12-06 16:52:41 +0000 UTCSuper interesting chat.
Luke Farinella
2018-12-06 02:14:04 +0000 UTCEnjoy!
Colin Moriarty
2018-12-05 19:08:26 +0000 UTCWhat a great subject! Can't wait to listen to this one.
Joel Blair
2018-12-05 17:04:17 +0000 UTC
