On the Media: "Who Profits?" – Detailed Summary

Release Date: February 24, 2023
Hosts: Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger
Producer: WNYC Studios

Introduction

In the February 24, 2023 episode of the Peabody Award-winning podcast On the Media, hosts Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger delve into two pressing issues shaping the modern landscape: the future of free speech on the internet amid landmark Supreme Court cases, and the deep-rooted influence of free market ideology on American society. Additionally, the episode features an insightful interview with author China Miéville on the enduring relevance of the Communist Manifesto.

I. Section 230 and the Supreme Court’s Impact on the Internet

A. Overview of the Supreme Court Cases

At the heart of this segment, Gladstone and Loewinger discuss two significant Supreme Court cases: Twitter v. Taamra and Gonzalez v. Google. These cases question the extent to which social media platforms can be held liable for content that facilitates terrorism.

Brooke Gladstone [00:11]: "The Supreme Court is set to hear a case that could break the Internet."

These cases stem from tragic events where ISIS leveraged social media platforms, leading families of victims to sue companies like Twitter and YouTube, alleging negligence in moderating extremist content.

Naomi Oreskes [02:55]: "The family of one of the victims of the shooting sued Twitter and other social media companies, saying that they had turned a blind eye while ISIS took their platforms and radicalized people around the world."

B. Understanding Section 230

A pivotal element in these discussions is Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, a law that has historically shielded internet platforms from liability for user-generated content.

Brooke Gladstone [04:20]: "Section 230 says in just 26 words that Internet platforms are not liable for what their users post."

The hosts explore how Section 230 was initially designed to encourage moderation without imposing undue legal risks on platforms, fostering the free speech-rich environment of the early internet.

C. Arguments and Implications

The Supreme Court's deliberations could redefine this legal framework, potentially holding tech giants accountable for the content on their platforms.

Mark Joseph Stern [07:04]: "Without Section 230 protection for algorithms, the web would more or less fall apart."

The episode highlights concerns from legal scholars and tech industry representatives about the potential "unraveling" of the internet's current operational structure.

Naomi Oreskes [07:25]: "That would create a lot of economic dislocation, would really crash the digital economy with all sorts of effects on workers and consumers."

D. Future Prospects

As the Supreme Court prepares to deliver its decision by summer, experts anticipate ongoing debates and future cases that will continue to shape the balance between free speech and platform responsibility.

EM Alonzo [11:40]: "Section 230 helps really operationalize that right and make it very easy to vindicate in court proceedings quickly."

II. The Free Market and Capitalism: Unveiling the Myth

A. Current Debates on Capitalism

The episode transitions to a robust discussion on capitalism, spurred by Senator Bernie Sanders releasing his book, "It's Okay to Be Mad About Capitalism", and embarking on a tour that critiques the current economic system.

Brooke Gladstone [13:27]: "With wealth inequality in the US at an all-time high, debates about capitalism have ramped up."

B. Naomi Oreskes on Free Market Fundamentalism

Naomi Oreskes, co-author of "The Big How American Business Taught Us to Loathe Government and Love the Free Market", provides an in-depth analysis of how free market ideology has been ingrained into American consciousness through strategic public relations campaigns.

Oreskes [16:09]: "Planners and politicians have tinkered with the market throughout our history, putting up guardrails, usually after we've crashed, and then dismantling them."

She traces the origins of free market fundamentalism to the early 20th century, highlighting how business leaders collaborated with economists like Friedrich von Hayek to promote neoliberal ideals.

Oreskes [17:32]: "They created a policy environment where laissez-faire economics was portrayed as the only viable path, demonizing any form of government intervention."

C. Historical PR Campaigns

Oreskes details seminal campaigns, such as those by the National Association of Manufacturers (NAMM), which aggressively pushed narratives equating government regulation with oppression.

NAMM [21:10]: "Designed by NAMM to propagandize the values of big business and the threat of the New Deal."

These efforts were complemented by influential media, including Ronald Reagan’s hosting of "General Electric Theater", which subtly propagated anti-government and pro-market ideologies.

Oreskes [21:46]: "Reagan's television program ended with messages about rugged individualism and not relying on government."

D. Critiques of Capitalism

Oreskes argues that the relentless promotion of free market ideology has marginalized alternative economic models and contributed to significant social and environmental issues, including climate change and wealth inequality.

Oreskes [30:26]: "Climate change is one of the clearest examples of market failure that we've seen in our lifetimes."

She also emphasizes the psychological and societal costs of capitalism, noting that despite high GDPs, American happiness and trust in institutions are waning compared to European counterparts.

Oreskes [31:14]: "Money has not bought us happiness. Overall, the happiest people in the world are the ones who live in the European social democracies."

E. Alternatives and Middle Grounds

Contrasting American free market extremism, Oreskes highlights how European nations have successfully implemented regulated capitalism with robust social safety nets, demonstrating that alternative economic models can thrive without descending into authoritarianism.

Oreskes [24:48]: "These countries are prosperous, they are democratic, and actually by some measures they're actually more democratic than the United States."

III. The Communist Manifesto in Modern Times: An Interview with China Miéville

A. Resurgence of Marxist Thought

In a compelling segment, China Miéville, author of "A Specter Haunting on the Communist Manifesto", discusses the enduring impact of Marx and Engels' seminal work in contemporary society.

Miéville [35:35]: "The Communist Manifesto is both impossible and imperative in its call for action."

He reflects on the historical context of the manifesto, particularly its initial optimistic portrayal of the bourgeoisie and the working class dynamics during the Revolutions of 1848.

Miéville [37:03]: "It became very quickly evident in the Revolutions of 1848 that much of the bourgeoisie of Europe was more afraid of the working class than it was of the ancien regime."

B. Critiquing Modern Interpretations

Miéville critiques modern criticisms of the manifesto, such as the trope that Stalinist regimes invalidate communist ideology, arguing that true communism differs fundamentally from these historical implementations.

Miéville [41:32]: "If you were to only listen to them, you would not know that there have been very serious debates within Marxism, within the left, precisely criticizing those regimes."

C. Capitalism’s Adaptability and Its Consequences

Miéville contends that capitalism's remarkable adaptability has often outpaced ideological responses, yet its inherent flaws are becoming increasingly apparent amidst crises.

Miéville [48:42]: "Capitalism is incredibly adaptable."

He underscores the critical need for systemic change to address profound societal and environmental challenges, beyond mere reforms.

Miéville [51:20]: "Overthrow, for me, is the point at which the majority of people simply say, no more."

D. Relevance Today

Connecting historical analysis with present-day issues, Miéville emphasizes the resurgence of socialist ideas as a response to pervasive inequalities and systemic failures exacerbated by unregulated capitalism.

Miéville [37:40]: "This is something I think most Americans either never knew or have forgotten how incredibly deadly and dangerous work was."

Conclusion

The "Who Profits?" episode of On the Media masterfully intertwines legal, economic, and ideological narratives to explore the intricate web of free speech, corporate responsibility, and the pervasive influence of free market ideology in shaping American society. Through expert interviews and incisive analysis, hosts Brooke Gladstone and Micah Loewinger provide listeners with a comprehensive understanding of the forces at play in contemporary debates over capitalism and the future of the internet.

For more insightful discussions and in-depth analyses, listen to the full episode of "On the Media" on your preferred podcast platform.