Recode Decode: Sarah Kendzior

Decoder with Nilay Patel · with Sarah Kendzior · April 24, 2020 · 61 min

Summary

This episode features author Sarah Kendzior who dives deep into the societal and economic factors that led to Donald Trump's presidency. She explores how decades of income inequality, 'disaster capitalism,' and the internet's influence created fertile ground for his rise. Kendzior also critiques how media has covered Trump and his use of Twitter, offering a nuanced perspective on propaganda and the actual size of his support base. This discussion provides a framework for understanding contemporary political shifts and media dynamics relevant to any business operating in today's interconnected world.

Key takeaways

• Donald Trump's rise was a consequence of long-term socioeconomic trends like income inequality and 'disaster capitalism,' not an isolated event.
• The internet plays a crucial role in shaping political discourse and can be exploited by unconventional figures, influencing public perception and potentially market sentiment.
• Traditional media often misinterprets or mishandles new forms of communication, such as a political figure's direct use of social media, leading to distorted public understanding.
• Common assumptions about the size and monolithic nature of a public figure's support base may be inaccurate, highlighting the need for deeper data analysis beyond surface-level metrics.
• Understanding the mechanisms of modern propaganda and election interference is vital for discerning information, which is crucial for brand reputation and crisis management in the digital age.

Themes

Topics covered

Episode description

Bestselling author and Gaslit Nation co-host Sarah Kendzior talks with Recode's Kara Swisher about her new book, Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention of Donald Trump and the Erosion of America; what pundits get wrong about propaganda and election interference; and the “insane way” journalists treat Donald Trump’s Twitter bully pulpit. In the new book and her previous one, The View From Flyover Country, Kendzior argues that Trump's rise to the presidency was no accident — rather, it was the result of decades of socioeconomic trends, including income inequality, "disaster capitalism," and the growth of the internet. She also talks about why Trump's base isn't as big as you think it is, and whether there's reason for hope and optimism right now. Featuring: Sarah Kendzior (@sarahkendzior), author, Hiding in Plain Sight: The Invention of Donald Trump and the Erosion of America Host: Kara Swisher (@karaswisher), Recode co-founder and editor-at-large More to explore: On Reset, Arielle Duhaime-Ross explores why — and how — tech is changing everything. On Recode Media, Peter Kafka interviews business titans, journalists, comedians and podcasters about the collision of tech and media. On Pivot, Kara Swisher and Scott Galloway talk about the big tech news stories of the week, who's winning, who's failing, and what comes next. And on Land of the Giants, Jason Del Rey chronicled the rise of Amazon. Season 2 will focus on Netflix and is coming soon! About Recode by Vox: Recode by Vox helps you understand how tech is changing the world — and changing us. Follow Us: Newsletter: Recode Daily Twitter: @Recode and @voxdotcom Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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Frequently asked about this episode

What does this episode say about founder & leadership?

Donald Trump's rise was a consequence of long-term socioeconomic trends like income inequality and 'disaster capitalism,' not an isolated event.

What does this episode say about brand & content?

The internet plays a crucial role in shaping political discourse and can be exploited by unconventional figures, influencing public perception and potentially market sentiment.

What does this episode say about analytics & attribution?

Traditional media often misinterprets or mishandles new forms of communication, such as a political figure's direct use of social media, leading to distorted public understanding.

What does this episode say about founder & leadership?

Common assumptions about the size and monolithic nature of a public figure's support base may be inaccurate, highlighting the need for deeper data analysis beyond surface-level metrics.

What does this episode say about founder & leadership?

Understanding the mechanisms of modern propaganda and election interference is vital for discerning information, which is crucial for brand reputation and crisis management in the digital age.

Listen

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