Episodes

  • This is Middle Theory | 05.12.22.

    This is Middle Theory | 05.12.22.
    May 12 2022
    This week, we ask how we became so polarized, and look at the underlying reasons for division in our culture in a discussion about the meaning behind the "Middle Theory."   Can't we all just get along? What are the roots of the conflicts we see in the world around us... from the geopolitical stage, to our neighborhoods and communities? Although polls over the years offer mixed results, a recurring theme is that voters often tend to be more moderate than the politicians they vote for. Why, then, does there appear to be so much polarization in society, both in politics, and in other areas of life? One result has been that many profess to be politically independent, entirely apolitical, or political "centrists" in an attempt to avoid the polarized viewpoints that so often predominate discussions in the media. And yet, an analysis of the range of ways people define "centrism" even gets confused... how can we have a discussion over the merits, or lack thereof, of a political philosophy when no one seems to agree on a definition for it? This has been one of the long-running themes of the Middle Theory podcast, and one that we explore in depth on this special edition of the podcast. This... is Middle Theory.  UKRAINE FUND: Support Ukraine Relief DOLLARS FOR DONUTS A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week: Jon HaskinsVictoria PinderskiJonathan TaylorJohn LipartitoJames Malone If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:   We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button.  SHOW NOTES CAWTHORN: Madison Cawthorn says 'blackmail won't win' after nude video surfacesMYSTERY MUSK: Elon Musk fans concerned after billionaire writes chilling post on Twitter about dying 'under mysterious circumstances FED: Fed raises rates by half a percentage point — the biggest hike in two decades — to fight inflation NO JOKE: “Nobody's Safe”: Dave Chappelle Attack Raises Concerns for PerformersPOLARIZED: This Is The Reason American Politics Are So Polarized How Politics Got So Polarized | The New YorkerEVIDENCE: How Polarized are Citizens? Measuring Ideology from the Ground-Up Cross-Country Trends in Affective Polarization CENTRIST MISCONCEPTIONS: The Problem with Balance: My Issue with Centrism Why You Shouldn't be a Centrist | YIP Institute   The Impossibility of Centrism - The Atlantic THE MIDDLE WAY: Middle Way - Wikipedia JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program.
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Nuclear Options | 05.03.22.

    Nuclear Options | 05.03.22.
    May 3 2022
    This week, growing concerns over Russia's nuclear rhetoric in recent days have experts looking at how far Vladimir Putin might go in his quest to conquer Ukraine.  This week, as recent polls (finally) show Biden's approval ratings are on the rise, we take a look at what it could mean heading into the mid-terms in November. Meanwhile, Elon Musk has provided reporters with a few vague ideas of what he plans to do with Twitter... putting him into a unique position in terms of political perception and leanings. Then, shifting our attention to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, world leaders have expressed concerns about simulations broadcast on Russian state media depicting potential nuclear strike targets throughout Europe. How far might Vladimir Putin be willing to go as his back is increasingly pressed against the wall, and could this even escalate to the point of weighing the dreaded nuclear option? UKRAINE FUND: Support Ukraine Relief DOLLARS FOR DONUTS A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week: Dennis Koch Daniel Baumberger Jill Ellis Brett GilesRobert Walshe  If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:   We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button.  SHOW NOTES POLLS: Biden ticks up, but GOP holds advantage on economy, Post-ABC poll findsMUSK: Elon Musk's big plans for Twitter: What we know so far | AP News COVID: CA cases rising. New wave? Oprah says it’s too soon remove masks from planes 'We've not seen the WORST of Covid' warns Microsoft billionaire Bill GatesQUESTIONS: Reputed Deutsche Bank whistleblower and federal informant found dead SPIES LIKE US: Russian Spies Hilariously Screw Up Putin's 'Assassination Plot' Claim NUCLEAR OPTIONS: Russian state TV simulates nuke strike on Europe More danger than Cuban Missile Crisis? Putin is inching towards his nukes, threatening to annihilate the world if he fails to capture Ukraine, says foreign affairs expert  The Guardian view on Putin's nuclear threats: Russia is losing in Ukraine NIP AND TUCKER: How Tucker Carlson Stoked White Fear to Conquer Cable What to Know About Tucker Carlson's Rise JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program.
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    42 mins
  • Elon Musk and the Battle for Twitter | 04.27.22.

    Elon Musk and the Battle for Twitter | 04.27.22.
    Apr 28 2022
    With Elon Musk's acquisition of Twitter, controversy ensues over issues of transparency and freedom of speech, and whether the platform can improve under Musk's leadership. This week, the White House announced that Vice President Kamala Harris has tested positive for COVID-19, which may be the least of her problems based on a new book that reportedly reveals tensions between she and other members of the Biden Administration, including the President. We also look at the current situation involving statements this week by Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley and Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, which shed new light on the U.S. military's role in the war in Ukraine. Elsewhere, controversy has erupted around Elon Musk's sudden acquisition of Twitter... and many are concerned about what this means for the future of the company, and issues related to free speech and transparency. We look at all of these stories this week on Middle Theory.  UKRAINE FUND: Support Ukraine Relief DOLLARS FOR DONUTS A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week: Robert CramerJennie Vongvith Jessica Riley Jennifer Garland Kevin Webb Mark Hankins II Stacia SchwartzAli Buchan Brian Davis If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:   We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button.  SHOW NOTES COVID: Kamala Harris tests positive for Covid as Vice President isolates with no symptomsBAD BLOOD: Biden Left GOP Senators 'Taken Aback' With Harsh Dismissal of HarrisBIG BUY: Elon Musk to buy Twitter for $44B and take it privateBIG BIRD: Twitter accepts Elon Musk's buyout dealFEAR: Twitter workers face a reality they've long feared: Elon Musk as ownerFREE SPEECH: Elon Musk says he wants free speech, but his track record suggests otherwise Elon Musk's Twitter revolution: Rebellious staff claim their new boss is 'dangerous for democracy'BEZOS: Jeff Bezos trolls Elon Musk over Twitter dealMYSTERIES: Elon Musk's $21 Billion Mystery: Where Will Tesla Ceo Get Cash For Twitter? Funding obscured: The family office behind buyout Takeover sets up clash with Europe regulations Trump says he won't rejoin. Some advisers don't believe himDORSEY: With Musk in Charge at Twitter, Could Jack Come Back? Dorsey's bizarre lifestyle revealedFACEBOOK: Facebook Doesn't Know What It Does With Your Data, Or Where It Goes JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program.
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    44 mins
  • Holy War | 04.18.22.

    Holy War | 04.18.22.
    Apr 19 2022

    As Ukrainian officials say the "Battle of Donbas" has begun, we look at how one controversial Russian cleric has urged for "holy war" as the conflict in Ukraine wears on. 

    This week, news that record numbers of retirees are fleeing to countries like Portugal is making headlines amidst reports about economic woes around the world, and news about the latest strain of the coronavirus sweeping the United States. That, in addition to the unsurprising news that Alex Jones' INFOWARS company has filed for bankruptcy. Meanwhile, Ukrainian officials have now said that their fears about battle in the Donbas region have come to fruition. However, the views of one controversial Russian cleric take center focus in this week's analysis, and the notion that some in Russia view the invasion that has led to the deaths of thousands of Ukrainians and Russians alike is tantamount to a "holy war." We explore this, and other themes in recent news this week on Middle Theory.

    Image Credit: Міністерство оборони України, licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International license.

    UKRAINE FUND: Support Ukraine Relief

    DOLLARS FOR DONUTS

    A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

    • Connie Fletcher
    • Jonathan Taylor
    • Shelly Orlandini
    • Doug Davis
    • James Knight 

    If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

     

    We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

    SHOW NOTES
    • EXPATS: Americans Move to Portugal in Droves
    • BANKRUPT WARS: Alex Jones INFOWARS Files for Bankruptcy
    • SEEK AND DESTROY: Zelenskiy says Russia wants to 'destroy' Ukraine's Donbas region 
    • Mariupol on brink as fighters defy surrender demands
    • Mystery as 'dead' captain at 'survivors' parade
    • Orthodox leader backs war, divides faith
    • Syrians ready to join next phase of conflict
    • TAIWAN: Taiwan says China's threats will only increase support for island 
    • WRAP UP: BA.2 Proves Pandemic Isn't Over, but People Are Over It

    JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

    To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program.
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    42 mins
  • Twitter: Battle of the Bots | 04.11.22.

    Twitter: Battle of the Bots | 04.11.22.
    Apr 12 2022
    This week, we analyze Elon Musk's new influence on social media giant Twitter, and the company's issue with bots posing as users. Former President Donald Trump is back in the news for his recent controversial endorsement of television doctor Mehmet Oz in his Senate bid in Pennsylvania, which has evoked ire from conservatives. Meanwhile, as the situation in Ukraine remains at a standstill for now, what do things look like within Russia, where Vladimir Putin appears to still be suffering from delusions of grandeur and victory? Then we turn our attention to the controversy surrounding Elon Musk's recent purchase of shares in Twitter, followed by a surprise rejection of an offer to sit on the company's board amidst Tweets that the company is "dying" over the weekend. What will this mean for the social media giant, who faces new claims that a surprising number of its users may actually be bots helping to steer widespread misinformation? UKRAINE FUND: Support Ukraine Relief DOLLARS FOR DONUTS A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week: Vicki Pinderski $10Sean Boyle $10John Lipartito $5 If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:   We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button.  SHOW NOTES TRUMP CARD: Trump  faces fierce GOP backlash after endorsing TV's Dr Oz in Senate raceUKRAINE: Cheering Ukrainian troops shoot down Russian drone with British missile! Inside wartime Russia, Putin isn't losing Vlad using retired soldiers to replenish forces, echo of desperate Hitler USA Weighs Shift to Support Hague Court as It Investigates AtrocitiesSTEALTH SURGE: Covid Could Be Surging in the U.S. Right Now and We Might Not Even Know ItDEEP BREATH: Humans can fight off viruses simply by breathing - Study Finds OFF BOARDING: Elon Musk decides not to join Twitter board, says CEO Parag Agrawal Twitter stakeholder Elon Musk tweets 'Is Twitter dying?'BOT WARS: Researchers: Nearly Half Of Accounts Tweeting About COVID Are Likely Bots FROM TWITTER: Four truths about bots  Bot or not? The facts about platform manipulation on TwitterFLASHBACK: Twitter's Bot Problem Still Seems as Bad as Ever | Vanity Fair  Twitter Can't Win The War on Misinformation Until It Fixes its Bot Problem | Digital Trends JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program.
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    46 mins
  • Cancel Culture and the Subscription Society | 04.04.22.

    Cancel Culture and the Subscription Society | 04.04.22.
    Apr 5 2022

    In this episode, we are joined by YouTube documentarian and essayist Peter Coffin for a philosophical and economically-minded discussion about cancel culture.

    Earlier this week, much of the world awakened to horrifying images out of Ukraine which appear to show the bodies of civilians who were killed by Russian forces, who are now steadily retreating from the embattled country. The images prompted U.S. President Joe Biden to double down on his war crime accusations against Vladimir Putin, and now many are asking whether the Russian leader will be made to stand trial for the atrocities. Then, following our news segment, we are joined by Youtuber and essayist Peter Coffin of the Very Important Documentaries YouTube channel, who joins us to discuss his new book "

    UKRAINE FUND: Support Ukraine Relief

    DOLLARS FOR DONUTS

    A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week:

    • Dennis Koch
    • Daniel Baumberger
    • Robert Westfall
    • Jill Ellis
    • Brett Giles

    If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:

     

    We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button. 

    SHOW NOTES
    • UKRAINE: Images of dead civilians in Ukraine shake the world - CNNPolitics
    • Joe Biden calls for Vladimir Putin to face war crimes trial over Ukraine   
    • Will Putin ever be held accountable for crimes in Ukraine?
    • KING OF TWITTER: Musk takes 9% stake in Twitter to become top shareholder | Reuters
    • CANCEL CULT: Why millennials drive cancel culture  
    • PETER COFFIN: Peter Coffin on Twitter
    • Very Important Documentaries on YouTube 
    • Cancel Culture: Mob Justice or a Society of Subscriptions?

    JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY

    To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program.
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Assault at the Oscars | 03.28.22.

    Assault at the Oscars | 03.28.22.
    Mar 29 2022
    This week, violence erupts at the Oscars during an unscripted episode between Best Actor Award recipient Will Smith and host Chris Rock. The ongoing conflict in Ukraine may have now reached a standstill, as Russian and Ukrainian officials meet to discuss moving toward an end to the conflict that has now raged for almost a month. However, the world's attention put toward the crisis unfolding in the East was temporarily diverted on Sunday, when during the 94th Academy Awards, actor Will Smith, who would later the same night go on to win the award for Best Actor for his role in King Richard, stormed the stage and slapped host Chris Rock following an unmemorable joke about Smith's wife, Jada Pinkett Smith. The incident has received an unprecedented amount of attention since Sunday, and we attempt to analyze the media response, as the Academy weighs options that might include disciplinary action against Smith for what many viewed as an assault on live television.  UKRAINE FUND: Support Ukraine Relief DOLLARS FOR DONUTS A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week: Sean O’Neal  Connie Fletcher Mark Hankins II Stacia SchwartzAli Bucan Kevin Webb Brain Davis Sascha Neubauer  If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:   We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button.  SHOW NOTES RUSSIAN DEATHS: Up to 40,000 Russian soldiers killed, wounded, captured or MIA, NATO says FIGHT OR DIE: Putin 'orders execution squads to kill HIS OWN men' if they try to desertSHITSHOW: 'It's a Sh*tshow': Russian Troops Are Now Turning on Each Other THE LATEST: Ukraine suspends evacuations amid safety fears; Russia, Ukraine prepare for face-to-face talks  Ukraine leader says he seeks peace 'without delay' in talks | AP News BIDEN ON PUTIN: Biden says Putin "cannot stay in power" AUDIO: Bash presses NATO rep. on walking back Biden's unscripted Putin declaration WHAT HAPPENS AT THE OSCARS: Will Smith apologizes during Oscar acceptance speech  An unfunny, unmemorable joke changed Oscars history and Will Smith's Hollywood story Tiffany Haddish Says Smith Stood 'Up for His Wife' at Oscars: 'Most Beautiful Thing I've Seen'  Jaden Smith Tweets 'That's How We Do It' After Will Smith's Oscar Win and Chris Rock Smack  Hollywood Reacts To The Oscar Slap: “Ugliest Oscar Moment Ever”, Tweets Mark Hamill  ‘Violence instead of words’: Will Smith condemned for hitting Chris Rock at the Oscars  Will Smith and Chris Rock's Bitter History That Led to the Oscars Slap  Chris Rock isn't pressing charges against Will Smith for the Oscars slap Could Will Smith lose his Oscar? Explaining the Academy's code of conduct JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program.
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    51 mins
  • Stalemate | 03.21.22.

    Stalemate | 03.21.22.
    Mar 22 2022
    As the crisis in Ukraine continues, world leaders ask how long the present stalemate might continue, and whether an attempt at removing Putin from power could soon occur from within Russia. The Ukrainian conflict has now been underway for almost a month, as many western leaders and commentators look at the apparent stalemate that has erupted between the embattled country and Russian invaders. However, as the crisis continues to unfold, many are asking questions about Russia's claims that it recently used hypersonic weapons against targets in Ukraine. Meanwhile, many are also wondering about the broader messaging coming out of Russia, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy saying recently that perhaps the most frightening thing of all could be the idea that Vladimir Putin is buying his own hype. However, while the Russian leader continues to propagandize claims of Russian unity, what is the likelihood that a takeover attempt from within Russia could occur, in an effort to oust Putin as the Russian military continues to lose soldiers by the thousands, while innocent Ukrainians are captured, deported, and killed in the conflict? UKRAINE FUND: Support Ukraine Relief DOLLARS FOR DONUTS A special thank you to those who donated to the podcast this week: Sean Wick Robert CramerJessica RileyJennie VongvithShelli OrlandiniJennifer Garland If you like Middle Theory and want to help support the show, you can donate to the program here:   We also offer SUBSCRIPTION accounts for those who would like to make recurring monthly payments to Middle Theory. If you would prefer to SUBSCRIBE to the program, click here to visit our DONATES page, and scroll down below the primary DONATE button.  SHOW NOTES TIME SHIFT: Daylight savings change faces trouble in House SAUDI ARABIA ATTACK: Yemen rebels launch wide strikes on Saudi sites Jake Sullivan White House Statement on Houthi attack HOT TOPIC:  'Madness' to turn to fossil fuels because of Ukraine warNO SURRENDER: Mariupol rejects Russian demand to surrender as war shows no let-up Captives shipped to labor camps?HYPERSONICS: Russia Claims to Use a Hypersonic Missile We Have Questions About Russia's Claimed Kinzhal Hypersonic Missile Use In Ukraine  Report to Congress on Hypersonic Weapons - USNI News  Pentagon to Speed Development of Hypersonic Weapons | Arms Control Association STALEMATE: War could be headed toward stalemate Russia, Failing to Achieve Early Victory in Ukraine, Is Seen Shifting to 'Plan B'COUP FOR YOU: Putin 'panicking' over revolution in Moscow as he battles to control UkraineBUYING HIS OWN HYPE: Why Zelensky is 'very frightened' of Putin believing his own claimsAMERICAN AID: Frustrations of novice Americans who signed up to fight American Fighters Flying Dozens of Deterrence Missions Pentagon Work With Biological Facilities Becomes Flashpoint Biden to visit Poland JOIN US: REACH OUT TO MIDDLE THEORY To send us feedback, you can email us here. Also, follow Middle Theory on Twitter too... this is highly recommended, and may even be vital for some of you. Finally, as mentioned earlier, some may be further compelled to donate to the program, which helps keep ads for survival gear, water filters, male enhancement supplements, and do-it-yourself earthworm farming kits off the program.
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    49 mins