Topic: Bots

Using a computer programming analogy, the hosts explain how language, memes, and headlines act as "syntax" to trigger specific functions in the human brain. They express skepticism regarding viral social media posts, citing "Kony 2012" as an example of manufactured engagement. They argue that high view counts are often the result of bot activity designed to give instant validity to specific narratives.

Intelligence agencies reported that Russia specifically targeted Black social media circles during the 2016 election to create internal divides. Tactics included the creation of anti-Hillary and anti-Bernie memes to influence African American voters in digital spaces. These efforts led to various online groups and "Black Twitter" being accused of acting as Russian bots or spreading state-sponsored misinformation.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk reached a $44 billion deal to acquire Twitter, prompting analysis of the platform's future and Musk's true motivations. Mo Fax posits that Musk is the "Kim Kardashian of tech" and predicts he will implement "Know Your Customer" (KYC) verification requiring government IDs to eliminate bots. This move is characterized as a way to integrate Twitter into a government surveillance grid rather than a pure free speech initiative.

A 2019 video conference between Jack Dorsey and Elon Musk reveals Musk's long-standing critique of Twitter's inability to distinguish between real users and bot armies. Musk suggests that universal verification is the only fix for the platform's manipulation issues. The hosts argue that giving everyone a blue checkmark would effectively "break" the gamified nature of the platform and remove the prestige of the current verification system.

A throwback clip from 2019 features Joy Reid and Shereen Mitchell discussing an alleged uptick in bot activity following Kamala Harris's campaign announcement. They claim that accounts questioning Harris's Black identity or demanding reparations are likely foreign-influenced bots. Mo Fax argues that this is a tactic to shame Black voters into supporting the Democratic establishment without receiving "tangibles" in return.

Karen Hunter discusses the historical and modern attempts by Russia to infiltrate Black American social circles. She notes that while the USSR supported civil rights figures like A. Philip Randolph and Paul Robeson to highlight American hypocrisy, modern Russia allegedly uses "bots" to create division. The hosts critique Hunter's 180-degree turn from praising historical Russian support to warning against "Russian checks" in the 2016 election as a partisan narrative.

Kamala Harris launched her presidential campaign on January 20, 2019, but immediately faced significant opposition from the ADOS (Descendants of Slaves) movement. Media figures like Joy-Ann Reid dismissed this grassroots black opposition as the work of Russian bots, failing to recognize the specific political demands of the lineage-based group.

Don Lemon criticizes the ADOS (African Descendants of Slaves) movement, suggesting it is influenced by Russian bots and is "discriminatory" for seeking specific benefits for slave descendants. He argues for the "power in numbers" found in the broader "people of color" designation. The hosts accuse Lemon of selling out his own lineage to satisfy corporate and political interests, noting that the distinction of lineage is a common topic in black families.

The hosts revisit a clip of Shereen Mitchell on MSNBC discussing the "Black Identity Framework" and labeling the #ADOS hashtag as a bot-driven operation. This specific media segment is credited as the catalyst for the current podcast, as one host heard the "bot" claim and reached out to the other to investigate the suppression of the ADOS movement.

MSNBC's Joy Reid is featured in a clip discussing "Black bots" and the ADOS movement, claiming that accounts focusing on "tangibles" are designed to suppress the Democratic vote. The hosts recount the origin of their podcast, which began when they connected over the "nuance" of the ADOS label. They criticize the media for labeling legitimate ADOS concerns as foreign disinformation to protect Democratic interests.

Joy Ann Reid and Shereen Mitchell discuss "divisive" campaigns targeting Black voters on issues like reparations and immigration. They suggest that accounts asking for "tangibles" in exchange for votes are likely Russian-backed or designed to suppress the Democratic vote. The hosts counter that demanding something for a vote is basic political participation, not a foreign intelligence operation.

Michael Eric Dyson critiques Obama’s "Hawaiian chill" personality, arguing he lacks the "existential misery" and anger felt by most Black Americans. Dyson compares Obama unfavorably to LeBron James, who he claims represents his neighborhood despite his wealth. The segment concludes that Obama is "not Black" by the definition of ADOS lineage and failed to use his platform to push for reparations.

The hosts revisit themes from episode 18 regarding campaigns that discourage black voters from supporting Democrats. They discuss how demands for "tangibles" or reparations were previously dismissed by media as the work of Russian bots or "Diddy bots." They note the shift in the political landscape now that a major celebrity is publicly using the same language of trading votes for specific returns.

The hosts analyze the branding of "ADOS," noting that while it is a linguistically balanced term, it has struggled to gain mainstream traction without constant explanation. They compare the media's attack on ADOS—labeling them as "Russian bots" or a "hate group"—to the treatment of the MAGA movement. They suggest that both terms represent people wanting to build something positive that the establishment finds threatening.

The hosts critique Joy Reid for attributing the "black box" and ADOS (American Descendants of Slavery) criticism of Kamala Harris to Russian bots. They argue this was a "believable lie" used by the Democratic Party to explain away Harris's lack of genuine support among the black electorate.

The hosts react to MSNBC's claim that any black person demanding "tangibles" or reparations in exchange for their vote is likely a bot or a victim of disinformation. They characterize this as a desperate and racist attempt to silence legitimate political demands from the black community.

Shereen Mitchell, founder of Stop Online Violence Against Women, appeared on MSNBC with Joy Reid to claim that the ADOS movement is driven by "black bots" or Russian-style disinformation. Mitchell argues that the movement is a weapon used to make Donald Trump more palatable. The hosts dismiss these claims, asserting that the activists are real people and that the "bot" narrative was created to protect candidates like Kamala Harris and Cory Booker from legitimate criticism.

The mechanism of social media manipulation is explored, focusing on how bots and activists can tilt the narrative of viral videos to influence national news. This environment fosters "cancel culture," making it difficult for individuals to express dissenting opinions without facing public shaming or isolation. The hosts discuss the personal challenges of maintaining a "pro-truth" stance in the face of online bullying and organized opposition.

Maya Shankar, who headed Obama's Social and Behavioral Science Team, now works for Google, further integrating nudging tactics into big tech. Social media platforms use "trending" topics as a nudge mechanism to validate specific narratives, such as the "Charlottesville Lie" or claims that Tulsi Gabbard is a Russian asset. The hosts describe encountering automated bots on Twitter designed to reinforce these political memes and suppress dissenting views.

Media figures like Joy Reid and Charlemagne Tha God are criticized for their perceived roles as political operatives who marginalize the ADOS movement. While Charlemagne's show, The Breakfast Club, is a mandatory stop for Democratic candidates, he is viewed by some as protecting establishment figures like Kamala Harris. The discussion highlights a perceived media blackout where ADOS activists are dismissed as "Russian bots" to prevent a Black voting uprising.