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The Lincoln Project

Doomscrolling, Disinformation, and Algorithmic Tyranny

The Lincoln Project

The Lincoln Project

Society & Culture, News Commentary, Government, Daily News, News, Politics

4.7 • 8.4K Ratings

🗓️ 12 August 2025

⏱️ 33 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

Most of us have heard by now that the US is experiencing an ongoing disinformation war online, taking on damage from our global adversaries, various capitalistic social media platforms, and, worst of all, Trump, MAGA, and the far-right. Dr. Caroline Orr Bueno -- a PhD in Disinformation and Social Networks who's built a resistance against political propaganda -- sits down with Rick to shed light on algorithmic tyranny and how the Trump admin is trying to seize control of algorithms, social media, and news to further weaponize information. Dr. Caroline explains the difference between primitive and logical thinking, and how hate feeds the algorithm more than any other form of engagement. She and Rick impart some crucial advice about how to avoid being a puppet to the algorithm and ways to cut off its access for the greater good. Just remember, if a service is free, YOU are the product.  • • • • • Follow Dr. Caroline Orr Bueno on X and Instagram at @RVAwonk, on Bluesky at @rvawonk.bsky.social‬, and on Substack at @weaponizedspaces. Follow Rick Wilson at @TheRickWilson on X and @therickwilson.bsky.social on Bluesky, and subscribe to his Substack at therickwilson.substack.com.  Join the fight with the Lincoln Project at www.lincolnproject.us and follow LP on X at @ProjectLincoln. If you'd like to help us continue our critical work, visit https://action.lincolnproject.us/helplp to make a difference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Sorry, guys. If you're hearing weird background noises, I'm traveling this week. I'm in a hotel, so please, I apologize for any interruptions.

0:09.0

I feel your pain. I travel 200 days a year.

0:12.0

Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well-trained, well-equipped in battle-hardt.

0:19.0

There is not a liberal America and a conservative America.

0:23.0

There is the United States of America.

0:27.9

Good night.

0:28.8

And good luck.

0:29.8

Hey, folks.

0:30.6

Welcome back to the Lincoln Project podcast.

0:32.3

I am your host.

0:32.8

As always, Rick Wilson.

0:33.7

Thanks for joining us today on the Lincoln Square Network.

0:36.1

And I am excited to be joined today by

0:38.6

a person whose expertise in a couple of areas that are more important than you think,

0:45.5

I hope today will be very enlightening for you. Her name is Carolyn Orbueno. She is a research

0:49.9

scientist, a writer, an investigator of disinformation and of the way in which the algorithmic world

0:57.6

is shaping our political perceptions for good and for, well, mostly for ill. Her name is Carolyn

1:04.0

Orbueira. You know her on the socials as RVA Wonk. She is incredibly brilliant. And Carolyn,

1:10.6

I'm glad to talk to you today because a couple

1:12.7

weeks ago, you had an article about how the Trump administration is working to subtly

1:18.6

reconfigure the algorithmic space where people are getting their news and their information.

1:24.3

And I wanted to start out talking about that. And then I wanted to start out about your 10 tips

...

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