Podcast Summary: "Rumble vs. NYT" Host: Dave Smith
Co-Host: Robbie the Fire Bernstein
Podcast: Part Of The Problem
Release Date: December 16, 2024

Introduction

In the December 16, 2024 episode of Part Of The Problem, host Dave Smith and co-host Robbie the Fire Bernstein delve into a critical analysis of a recent New York Times (NYT) article titled "I traded my news apps for Rumble. The right wing YouTube. Here's what I saw" by Stuart A. Thompson. The hosts explore the dynamics between traditional media platforms like NYT and emerging decentralized platforms such as Rumble, highlighting perceived biases and framing issues within mainstream journalism.

1. Overview of the NYT Article

The episode centers around Stuart A. Thompson's article, which examines the migration of influencers to Rumble, positioning it as a "right wing YouTube." The article suggests that traditional journalists are losing their foothold in the media ecosystem, with platforms like Rumble becoming primary news sources for millions of Americans.

Notable Quote:

"The title of the piece is I traded my news apps for Rumble. The right wing YouTube. Here's what I saw. This is already a very interesting title."
— Dave Smith [07:26]

2. Rumble vs. YouTube: User Experience and Content

Dave and Rob discuss their personal experiences with Rumble compared to YouTube. Rob highlights the difficulty of navigating Rumble, noting issues with the platform’s search functionality and accessibility to their own content.

Notable Quotes:

"Rumble has some. I mean, I'm not on the site too often. Sometimes it does have that old YouTube feel... But its search function is pretty terrible."
— Robbie the Fire Bernstein [07:26]

"The user Friendliness of YouTube is just like. And maybe it's just that that's what I'm used to, but that it is the best in my opinion."
— Dave Smith [08:02]

3. Bias in NYT's Framing of Rumble

Dave criticizes the NYT's characterization of Rumble as predominantly right-wing, arguing that the platform's appeal lies more in its stance on censorship than its political leanings. He emphasizes that labeling Rumble as right-wing oversimplifies the platform's core appeal for free speech advocates across the political spectrum.

Notable Quote:

"The bias, the very blatant bias in calling Rumble a right wing site... it's more about free speech."
— Dave Smith [08:43]

4. Corporate Media's Handling of New Media Platforms

The hosts examine how corporate media, including the NYT, address the rise of platforms like Rumble. They argue that mainstream media often fails to accurately represent the reasons behind the shift to decentralized platforms, instead opting for misleading framings that do not capture the nuances of user motivations.

Notable Quote:

"They will never really deal with the issue, the reasons why this dynamic exists, they will never look into it."
— Dave Smith [15:04]

5. Expertise and Credibility in Media Analysis

Dave challenges the credibility of Stuart Thompson's analysis, pointing out that Thompson's four-week immersion in Rumble's content does not equate to the 17 years of Dave’s own engagement with political media. He argues that long-term exposure provides a deeper understanding than relatively brief observations.

Notable Quote:

"I've been obsessed with this world in 2007. So that is 17 years, right? ... You don't even know one of them. This is like... a rookie."
— Dave Smith [16:11]

6. Critique of the NYT Article’s Approach

The hosts dissect the NYT article’s methodology, asserting that Thompson did not invest sufficient time to understand the complexities of Rumble's ecosystem. They liken the approach to someone attempting to comment on a specialized field with minimal exposure, thereby undermining the article's authority and accuracy.

Notable Quote:

"This is like something you should have a little more understanding if you're talking about such an important thing like the collapse of your industry."
— Dave Smith [22:47]

7. Examples of Media Bias and Framing

Dave provides examples of what he perceives as biased reporting by mainstream media, including misrepresentations of public figures and events. He cites the mischaracterization of Glenn Greenwald and Dan Bongino, arguing that their diverse political stances are overlooked in favor of a monolithic portrayal.

Notable Quote:

"Nothing to disagree with. That's a huge story. Why wouldn't that be right up there? ... We're not the only ones."
— Dave Smith [34:01]

8. The Nature of Rumble’s Content and User Base

Robbie discusses Rumble's content diversity, mentioning notable figures like Glenn Greenwald and Russell Brand, who do not fit the stereotypical mold of right-wing influencers. This underscores the platform's broader appeal beyond a single political ideology.

Notable Quote:

"Glenn Greenwald and Russell Brand, I think has a huge show over there and these guys are just in no way right wingers."
— Robbie the Fire Bernstein [38:09]

9. The Role of Free Speech in Platform Migration

Dave emphasizes that the primary driver for many influencers moving to Rumble is the platform’s commitment to free speech, not necessarily its political alignment. He argues that this distinction is often obscured by mainstream media's simplifications.

Notable Quote:

"It's all about the free speech issue. And to the point you were making, Rob, if you admit that it's all about the free speech issue, well then you can't frame it as this fringe right wing issue because free speech is just not a fringe right wing view."
— Dave Smith [38:12]

10. The Impact of Platform Bias on Media Consumption

The discussion highlights how platform biases shape media consumption habits, with different audiences gravitating towards platforms that align with their values regarding censorship and content moderation. The hosts argue that mainstream media often fails to acknowledge these underlying factors.

Notable Quote:

"It's about free speech and not censorship. That's why people go there."
— Dave Smith [39:22]

11. Criticism of NYT's Analytical Depth

Dave critiques the NYT's shallow analysis, suggesting that the article does not adequately address the systemic issues driving the shift to decentralized media. He contends that the piece is more of a sensationalist overview than a substantive examination.

Notable Quote:

"That was just the bottom line of his, his reporting... like, it's a Seventeen magazine Puff piece."
— Dave Smith [32:29]

12. The Future of Media Ecosystems

The hosts reflect on the evolving media landscape, noting the increasing fragmentation and the role of decentralized platforms in providing alternative narratives. They argue that understanding these shifts requires more nuanced analysis than what traditional media outlets like the NYT currently offer.

Notable Quote:

"The system is set up so that... the Democrats and Republicans are the ones that write the laws. And so they decided to write the laws to rig the whole election systems against third Parties."
— Dave Smith [52:11]

Conclusion

In wrapping up the episode, Dave and Rob assert that mainstream media, represented by outlets like the NYT, inadequately addresses the complexities of new media platforms such as Rumble. They advocate for a more informed and nuanced approach to analyzing media trends, emphasizing the importance of free speech and the diverse motivations behind platform migrations.

Notable Quote:

"We have a shot to get some good stuff. ... But we're not the only ones."
— Dave Smith [65:15]

Takeaways

• Bias in Reporting: The episode underscores the perceived biases in mainstream media's portrayal of emerging platforms, arguing that labels like "right wing" oversimplify the true motivations behind platform migrations.

• Expertise Matters: Long-term engagement with media ecosystems provides deeper insights, challenging the authority of brief, surface-level analyses found in some mainstream outlets.

• Free Speech as a Core Value: The commitment to free speech remains a primary driver for influencers migrating to decentralized platforms, transcending simple political categorizations.

• Evolving Media Landscape: The shift towards decentralized media platforms signifies a broader transformation in how audiences consume news, necessitating more sophisticated analytical approaches from traditional media.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps

1. "The title of the piece is I traded my news apps for Rumble. The right wing YouTube. Here's what I saw. This is already a very interesting title."
   — Dave Smith [07:26]

2. "Rumble has some... its search function is pretty terrible."
   — Robbie the Fire Bernstein [07:26]

3. "The user Friendliness of YouTube is just like... it is the best in my opinion."
   — Dave Smith [08:02]

4. "They will never really deal with the issue, the reasons why this dynamic exists, they will never look into it."
   — Dave Smith [15:04]

5. "I've been obsessed with this world in 2007. So that is 17 years, right? ... You're a rookie."
   — Dave Smith [16:11]

6. "Nothing to disagree with. That's a huge story. Why wouldn't that be right up there? ... We're not the only ones."
   — Dave Smith [34:01]

7. "It's all about the free speech issue... free speech is just not a fringe right wing view."
   — Dave Smith [38:12]

8. "It's about free speech and not censorship. That's why people go there."
   — Dave Smith [39:22]

9. "We're dying. The other industry is flourishing. It's a Seventeen magazine Puff piece."
   — Dave Smith [32:29]

10. "The system is set up so that... the Democrats and Republicans are the ones that write the laws... rig the whole election systems against third Parties."
    — Dave Smith [52:11]

11. "We have a shot to get some good stuff. ... But we're not the only ones."
    — Dave Smith [65:15]

This episode provides a critical lens on how traditional media frames emerging platforms and highlights the ongoing struggle for credibility and balanced reporting in an increasingly fragmented media landscape.