Fading-Midwestern-Summer-Walk-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 945

Fading-Midwestern-Summer-Walk-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 945

Summer Is Short Up Here

First of all summer in the upper Midwest is short. We all know that, right? Join me on a midnight walk and talk as the heat hangs in the balance in Fading-Midwestern-Summer-Walk-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 945.

Walk and Talk Time

More importantly these occasional walk and talk podcasts are necessary.

Making Sense Of This Crazy World

Secondly every now and then I have to take the podcast machine out for some free association. It helps me make sense of the crazy world we’re living in.

Recent Podcasts

Even more late night walks serve to integrate some of the heavier podcasts I’ve done recently.

Lots of Feeds In July! Thank You!

Certainly July had some podcasts that garnered pretty solid download numbers.

Facebook’s Civil War

For example my podcast on Facebook’s diabolical approach to sowing disagreement and discord. In addition a podcast I did at the beginning of July on the economic situation.

Ahead Of The Curve

Above all my goal is to give podcast listeners and subscribers information they might not be aware of. And to give people something to think about a little ahead of the curve.

Summer Storms

In short I find investigating and commenting on ‘news’ that seems to blow up and disappear like a summer storm isn’t worth my attention, or yours.

Three Big Story Lines In August

So in Fading-Midwestern-Summer-Walk-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 945 I outline the three big story lines I think we can pay attention to in the month of August.

Fair Time!

In conclusion in my part of the world we have something called The Minnesota State Fair. The fair is a ritual that helps us process the end of summer.

Weather Change

Finally the weather changes and you get ready for fall.

Cancel Culture

Unfortunately the fair has been cancelled, so it’s hard for us all to figure out what time of the year it is!

Surreal Summer

To sum up it has been a surreal summer. True, we have a few weeks left. In fact there are predictions of the return of heat before it’s all over. But I can’t imagine fall will be any less surreal.

(Photo Editor Note: On the river in Minneapolis. A stark difference from the usual photos and press regarding our troubles in Minneapolis. A night spent with people who care about their home and their community. Thanks guys for the opportunity to get that shot!)

Sponsored by Kim Nybo Insurance and Les J Hill Business and Personal Coaching

Fading-Midwestern-Summer-Walk-Talk-Bob Davis Podcast 945

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Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809

Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809

Get ready. A sustained disinformation attack on the top democrat presidential candidates is already in progress. That’s the new story line. These days you can’t be sure. We’ll talk about it in Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809.

Breaking News From Politico

Most noteworthy is a series of stories Politico has done about ‘hacking’ the US electoral process. The latest is an article which sources data analysts and other experts. Especially relevant? A new charge by experts. Russia is back to its old tricks.

We take a look at the story and the charge in In Russia Targets American Politics Again?

A Wide Ranging Effort

Natasha Korecki says her Politico story shows a wide ranging effort aimed at Kamala Harris, Beto O’Rourke, Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders. She reports certainly it is up and running with signs foreign state actors are behind some of it.

It’s Happening Again

According to Politico Weaponized Propaganda picks at the most sensitive issues in our public discourse. Furthermore that propaganda is being pushed across a variety of platforms. It’s happening again.

Wait! Not All Of It Is Organized!

Wait though. Not all the activity is organized. In contrast, a lot of it appears to be regular Joe’s sharing stuff they think is funny or relevant on their feeds.

Sources For Politico Article Include Democrat Operatives

Finally sources for this story include Brett Horvath who has worked for the Mayor of Seattle as well as other operatives who have worked for democrats including Hillary Clinton. Or companies like Storyful who spy on reporters.

No Conclusive Evidence

Even more Korecki writes researchers and others cannot conclusively point to actors behind “the coordinated activity”.

We’re All Trolls Now

Maybe I’m churlish but it seems to me the writer, sources and Politico itself are getting a lot of mileage out of this. The principles in the story are sharing the story on their own feeds. Just slightly Troll Like, don’t you think? Maybe the Russians have switched sides this time!

Sponsored by WhiteTail Builders of Andover Minnesota

Russia Targets American Politics Again?-Bob Davis Podcast 809

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Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772

Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772

Tensions are high these days. People fear violence. The media sells a coming Civil War. Now we’re hearing calls for ‘Unity’. Is it a con? Learn more in Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772.

Now We’re Tribes

A popular word these days is ‘tribal‘. People who think a certain way are a ‘tribe’. I thought we were all Americans. One tribe. Apparently not.

We’re Supposed To Disagree

Aren’t we supposed to disagree? Moreover we have a system designed to use disagreement to find the best path forward.

Is Unity Tyranny?

In this freewheeling talker, I suggest unity implies we all have to agree. Especially relevant is the problem pushing for ‘unity’ creates. You have to agree with me. I have to agree with you. Those who disagree or say things ‘we’ don’t agree with should be ‘sent away’. Listen to Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772.

Emotionally Charged Environment

In addition media goes for the emotional hook. Because we’re in an emotionally charged environment, there’s no context. Even more, trends of thought or story lines pass for ‘news’. Large swaths of the population get their information without history or context from social media.

False Choice

Most noteworthy in a world fueled by feelings, talking heads tell us we have to choose “between war and peace”. Civil war or Civil peace. Certainly this is a false choice and a very dangerous suggestion. More in Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772.

Celebrate Factionalism

Finally factionalism is a natural human tendency. That’s ok. Social systems designed to weed out factions are tyrannies. If we both agree, one of us is unnecessary.

Read History Gain Perspective

In conclusion beware of all this unity talk. If we can’t disagree and talk about problems, we can’t solve them. Celebrate differences. Read history. Consequently gain perspective.

Freedom Isn’t Easy

Sponsored by Ryan Plumbing and Heating of Saint Paul

Unity Confidence Game-American Tribes-Bob Davis Podcast 772

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