Modern Wisdom #871 - Dave Smith Discusses the Failures of Mainstream Media

Introduction

In episode #871 of Modern Wisdom, host Chris Williamson welcomes Dave Smith, a stand-up comedian, podcaster, and political commentator, to delve into the widespread distrust in mainstream media among Americans. The discussion explores why the media is losing credibility, its inability to admit mistakes, the rise of independent media platforms, and the potential future of public communication channels.

1. Critique of Mainstream Media

Dave Smith begins by offering a sharp critique of mainstream media, likening it to state propaganda rather than an independent entity.

Dave Smith [04:14]: "I view the corporate media apparatus in not just the United States of America, but in most Western countries as essentially state propaganda. It might as well be state media."

He emphasizes that mainstream media primarily serves powerful interests, spinning narratives to align with those in power rather than presenting unbiased information. Smith points out that this trend isn't new but has become more blatant in recent years.

Dave Smith [04:14]: "Their job is to cover for powerful people and to spin the narrative that those powerful people wish for the plebs to believe."

Smith cites historical examples, such as media coverage of the Vietnam War, to illustrate the longstanding issues with media integrity. He argues that recent events, like the mishandling of Tony Hinchcliffe's performance at Madison Square Garden, highlight the media's decline in sophistication and ability to adapt to the digital age.

2. The Inability to Admit Mistakes

A significant part of the discussion revolves around the media's reluctance to acknowledge errors, which further erodes public trust.

Dave Smith [07:41]: "None of them can really have an honest postmortem. None of them can really go like, oh, we just consistently lie through our teeth."

Smith criticizes mainstream outlets for their persistent inaccuracies, such as portraying Joe Biden as "sharp as attack" and Kamala Harris as a "phenomenon of joy," which he finds transparently untrue.

Dave Smith [07:41]: "They just can't admit that, oh, we were lying when we said this is a great economy."

He argues that this pattern of misinformation prevents the media from regaining credibility, as audiences increasingly recognize and reject these false narratives.

3. The Rise of Independent Media

Contrasting mainstream media, Smith highlights the burgeoning influence of independent media platforms like Joe Rogan's podcast, which offer more authentic and intellectually engaging content.

Dave Smith [07:44]: "Shows like Joe Rogan's show are just levels more intelligent and thoughtful and interesting than anything that's happening at CNN or ABC News."

He notes that independent media has become the new mainstream, with audiences gravitating towards unfiltered and in-depth conversations that mainstream outlets fail to provide. This shift signifies a broader transformation in how information is consumed and trusted.

4. The Role of the Libertarian Party

As a libertarian, Smith discusses the challenges faced by third parties in the U.S. political system, particularly the Libertarian Party's struggle to gain significant traction against entrenched Republican and Democratic parties.

Dave Smith [52:46]: "The entire system is rigged against third parties. So there's, you know, the prospects of the Libertarian Party outtaking the Republican Party or something like that is not happening anytime soon."

He underscores the importance of liberty as a fundamental value and critiques the expansive government, which he believes fosters corruption and undermines societal prosperity.

Dave Smith [52:46]: "Governments are agents of aggress and that they bring nothing but destruction, especially when they're out of control."

5. Social Media Fragmentation and Echo Chambers

The conversation then shifts to the fragmentation of social media platforms, particularly the departure of users from X (formerly Twitter) to alternatives like Blue Sky. Smith expresses concern that this trend exacerbates echo chambers, making it harder for diverse perspectives to interact.

Dave Smith [34:14]: "If Elon Musk and Joe Rogan decided they wanted to host the next presidential debates, we all know that that would get not more views than if Jake Tapper were to host it, but by orders of magnitude, more viewers on it."

He warns that as social media becomes more siloed, biases intensify, and the public becomes more entrenched in their viewpoints without meaningful cross-dialogue.

6. Challenges in Changing the Media Landscape

Smith argues that transforming mainstream media is highly unlikely given its deep-rooted interests and resistance to change. He believes that the media has lost its legitimacy by perpetuating falsehoods and serving powerful interests, making any meaningful reform improbable.

Dave Smith [25:49]: "I'm not against that in theory, but I do think that institutions in general, there's a line you can cross of being so corrupt and so evil that you essentially lose the right to exist."

He also touches on the difficulties political figures face in implementing campaign promises like "draining the swamp," highlighting systemic resistance and the lack of concrete plans to address entrenched corruption.

7. Libertarian Perspectives on Government and Corruption

Throughout the episode, Smith reinforces his libertarian views, emphasizing the need for drastic government spending cuts and reduced government power to combat corruption.

Dave Smith [52:46]: "The only answer to this is drastic cuts in government spending."

He critiques government as a coercive entity that extracts wealth from citizens and redistributes it to political cronies, arguing that this dynamic fosters widespread corruption and societal stagnation.

8. Conclusion

Dave Smith concludes by reaffirming his skepticism about the mainstream media's ability to regain public trust and adapt to the evolving informational landscape. He emphasizes the growing importance of independent media in providing authentic, thoughtful, and reliable content, positioning it as the future of public discourse.

Dave Smith [44:56]: "If you do a show and it gets like 2 million views an episode, and I do a show and it gets like 2,000 views an episode... that's a really stupid strategy because so many more people are going to hear the truth."

Smith's insights paint a comprehensive picture of the current media environment, highlighting the decline of mainstream outlets and the rise of independent platforms as trusted sources of information. His libertarian stance further underscores the need for systemic change to foster a more truthful and accountable media landscape.

Notable Quotes

• Dave Smith [04:14]: "I view the corporate media apparatus... as essentially state propaganda."
• Dave Smith [07:44]: "Shows like Joe Rogan's show are just levels more intelligent and thoughtful and interesting than anything that's happening at CNN or ABC News."
• Dave Smith [25:49]: "I'm not against that in theory, but I do think that institutions in general... lose the right to exist."
• Dave Smith [52:46]: "The only answer to this is drastic cuts in government spending."
• Dave Smith [44:56]: "That's a really stupid strategy because so many more people are going to hear the truth."

Further Engagement

To stay updated with Dave Smith's work and insights, listeners are encouraged to visit his platforms:

• Podcast: partoftheproblem.com
• Twitter: @DaveSmithComic

This summary captures the essence of the conversation between Chris Williamson and Dave Smith, highlighting the critical perspectives on mainstream media, the rise of independent platforms, and the advocacy for libertarian principles.