Introducing Alternate Realities from NPR

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NPR

News, Society & Culture, News Commentary, Documentary

4.8 • 11.8K Ratings

🗓️ 14 February 2025

⏱️ 3 minutes

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Summary

Zach Mack and his dad are living in separate realities, and it's tearing their family apart.

Like so many Americans, Zach's dad has gotten swept up in conspiracy theories. After years of circular arguments, the father challenged his son to a bet: $10,000 on ten politically apocalyptic predictions that would all happen in 2024.

In this three-part series, we follow Zach on an intimate journey to bring his father back from the rabbit hole.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	It's called denying us freedom of speech.
0:03.8	No.
0:04.3	It's called denying us freedom of speech.
0:06.5	It's misinformation.
0:08.0	No.
0:08.6	Who gets the right?
0:09.4	I'm Zach Mack, and this is my dad.
0:12.3	We are literally living in the Matrix today.
0:15.8	For years, we've been having circular arguments, and like so many Americans, he's gotten
0:20.3	swept up in conspiracy
0:21.5	theories and has been radicalized online.
0:24.3	There's an alternative reality that's being thrust upon us, and unfortunately, you've
0:32.2	been taking the blue pill.
0:35.4	Things felt like they're at an impasse.
0:37.5	That is, until my dad had this unusual idea.
0:41.2	What if we went all the way down the rabbit hole to see who's actually right?
0:45.4	What if we took 10 of his theories?
0:47.1	Biden will be removed from office.
0:49.5	Obama will be found guilty of treason.
0:53.2	The U.S. will come under martial law in 2024.
0:57.2	And gave him a year to pan out.
0:58.8	This is going to be the biggest shakeup to ever hit the United States of America and the world at large.
	...

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