The Karol Markowicz Show: The Information State – How AI, Disinformation & Algorithms Are Reshaping Power

Podcast: The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show (iHeartPodcasts)
Episode: The Karol Markowicz Show: The Information State
Date: March 25, 2026
Guest: Jacob Siegel, Journalist & Author

Episode Overview

In this episode, Karol Markowicz welcomes journalist and author Jacob Siegel to discuss his latest book, "The Information Politics in the Age of Total Control." The conversation explores the evolution of "disinformation," its weaponization in American politics, and how new technologies—especially AI and algorithms—are reshaping power by filtering and manipulating what information people receive. Together, they examine the possible consequences of these shifts, the resilience (and vulnerabilities) of public opinion, and offer both personal insights and practical wisdom for navigating today's information ecosystem.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. What is the "Information State"?

[03:38–08:09]

• Siegel explains that his book stems from his investigation into how the concept of "disinformation" went from being obscure (rooted in Cold War spycraft) to ubiquitous in the American landscape, especially post-2015 with the rise of Trumpism.
• He observed a transformation in political power: "Power moves away from individual voters and...into these obscure, somewhat mysterious kinds of algorithmic and informational control." (Siegel, 06:36)
• Drawing on his intelligence background, he noticed similarities between information warfare tactics in U.S. military contexts and those now present in domestic politics.
• The "information state" refers to a new regime where mass control of information and algorithmic filtering become dominant—replacing traditional democratic processes.

Notable Quote:
"The powers that control the algorithms that structure our perceptions of reality have the ability to engineer political outcomes and social outcomes, for that matter."
— Jacob Siegel [07:12]

2. Disinformation Hoaxes & The Limits of Public Gullibility

[08:09–13:40]

• Karol asks about the surprising willingness of sophisticated people to fall for high-profile hoaxes (e.g., "Trump as Russian agent").
• Siegel reflects on his own journey: "I think the only honest way to answer that is to say that I was only surprised after I stopped falling for them." (08:21)
• Both agree that outlandish claims lost impact over time, yet persisted—raising concerns about the vulnerability of public opinion.
• Siegel notes the century-old history of opinion-shaping and its acceleration during times of (real or manufactured) crisis.
• He reassures that while people can be shaken by disinformation campaigns, mass mind control is rarely fully achieved due to human stubbornness and unpredictability.

Notable Quote:
"This technology of sculpting public opinion...always accelerates dramatically in times of war.... But human beings turn out to be remarkably difficult to enslave en masse through techniques of mind control."
— Jacob Siegel [12:00]

3. The AI Revolution & Accountability in the Information State

[17:18–20:12]

• Karol asks about AI's role in amplifying disinformation and making source accountability almost impossible.
• Siegel worries about the opacity and unaccountability of algorithmic decision-makers (tech giants, AI avatars), especially as these entities are outside democratic control.
• He warns of a gradual erosion of democratic meaning: "Political freedom...is being transferred away out of individual citizens...and into these sort of mass state tech configurations at a very rapid pace." (Siegel, 19:25)

Notable Quote:
"If it's not done that way through the political system, then I think what you're going to witness is just the gradual leeching away of the meaning of rights like voting until they're essentially worthless...."
— Jacob Siegel [19:54]

4. Pessimism, Optimism & Strategies for the Future

[20:12–21:35]

• Karol asks if Siegel's book is ultimately pessimistic.
• Siegel clarifies: though the situation is "extraordinarily dangerous," he is fundamentally not a pessimist. He draws inspiration from religious communities that embrace technology cautiously and purposefully.
• He sees the need for "deliberate controls" over technology, not absolute rejection or naive embrace.

Notable Quote:
"I'm not sure optimist would be the right word, but I'm a believer... However, we're in an extraordinarily dangerous moment for anyone who cares about...human liberty or...the American constitutional system."
— Jacob Siegel [21:11]

5. Personal Reflections: Pride and Transformation

[21:35–24:57]

• Karol poses her traditional guest question: "What are you most proud of?"
• Siegel shares about completing Ranger School despite being an older, non-active duty "chain-smoking freelance writer" at the time—a feat of resilience.
• Ultimately, he says he's most proud of becoming and being an engaged father, describing having children as the most consciousness-shifting experience of his life.

Notable Quotes:
"I had to train myself to get through Ranger school. Most graduates...are just like hard charging young men... Whereas I ...was a chain smoking freelance writer living in Prospect Heights."
— Jacob Siegel [22:35]

"Nothing in my life shifted my way of thinking more than having kids. It was a radically consciousness-shifting experience."
— Jacob Siegel [24:42]

6. Future Prediction: Digital Technology and a “New Medievalism”

[28:41–32:33]

• Karol asks for a five-year prediction, open to art, culture, or politics.
• Siegel forecasts that digital technology is generating its own "cosmology," reminiscent of how the printing press ("the Gutenberg galaxy") transformed society.
• He predicts a "new medievalism"—art, science, and social structures increasingly characterized by mystery, revelation, and hierarchy rather than Enlightenment reason.
• Black box AI is cited as essentially "indistinguishable from magic" even to its creators.

Notable Quote:
"My prediction is that the art will look a lot more medieval ...meaning occult, based in mystery and revelation rather than...rationality and reason. ...Technology and science AI is the perfect example. We already have black box AI technologies that are inscrutable to the people who designed them.... It's functionally indistinguishable from magic. And that in a word is medieval."
— Jacob Siegel [31:08]

7. Practical Advice for Listeners: Patience & Self-Reflection

[32:59–34:43]

• Siegel’s tip for improving one’s life: Practice patience and presence, particularly with children.
• He shares a lesson from Jewish ethical literature—do self-criticism, but limit it to an hour per day to be constructive, not self-defeating.

Notable Quote:
"Patience is...to give your presence to your children.... There's a famous book...by [the] Kabbalist rabbi the Ramchal.... He says...to be a good person...you have to devote...an hour a day...to being watchful over yourself and your actions.... But...it can't be any longer than an hour.... Otherwise...it's not contributing to you being a better person, it's taking you in the other direction."
— Jacob Siegel [33:08]

Timestamps of Key Segments

• Intro and Book Context: [02:27–08:09]
• On Disinformation Hoaxes in Politics: [08:09–13:40]
• AI, Algorithms & Sovereignty: [17:18–20:12]
• Optimism vs. Pessimism: [20:12–21:35]
• Personal Reflections on Pride: [21:35–24:57]
• Five-Year Prediction ("New Medievalism"): [28:41–32:33]
• Advice for Listeners (Patience, Self-Reflection): [32:59–34:43]

Memorable Moments

• Siegel’s story about going through Ranger School as a 29-year-old chain-smoking writer. [22:35–23:28]
• The “one hour of self-criticism” rule from Jewish ethics. [33:08–34:43]
• The idea that our digital age is reverting to patterns of the medieval era—with technology as modern-day magic. [31:08–32:33]

Final Thought

This episode offers a deep, accessible dive into how disinformation, AI, and algorithms are transforming not just politics, but the very structure of power and perception today. Through Siegel’s experiences—as a journalist, soldier, and parent—the conversation moves from macro-level societal shifts to the micro-strategies we can all use to retain agency and clarity in the new “information state.”