PODCAST:Things Fell Apart
TITLE:S2. Ep 7: You’ll Own Nothing and You’ll Be Happy
DATE:2024-01-09 00:00:00
URL:
MODEL:gpt-4-gizmo
The episode titled "You'll Own Nothing and You'll Be Happy" from Season 2 of the BBC Radio 4 podcast "Things Fell Apart," released on January 9, 2024, explores the origins and consequences of the conspiracy theory surrounding the concept of "The Great Reset." This theory gained traction during the COVID-19 pandemic, with various individuals unexpectedly finding themselves accused of being part of a global plot to control the masses.
The episode weaves together the stories of four individuals from different fields, all of whom are committed to a sustainable future but become targets of conspiracy theorists. These individuals include Duncan Enright, a councillor in Oxfordshire; James Stollworth, co-founder of Brownstone Shared Housing; Eda Algen, a member of the Danish Parliament; and Joseph Eun, an edible insect ambassador.
Duncan's work on improving Oxford's traffic flow and James' innovation in shared housing with sleeping pods are both misconstrued as parts of the Great Reset conspiracy. Similarly, Joseph's work with edible insects and Eda's thought experiment essay for the World Economic Forum (WEF) also become fodder for conspiracy theories.
The podcast delves into the origins of the Great Reset concept, which was coined by Thierry Malleret and Klaus Schwab of the WEF. Their book and subsequent promotional activities, including a controversial title for Eda's essay and a video featuring Grover from Sesame Street, unintentionally fuel the conspiracy theory.
The episode highlights the rapid spread of misinformation and the impact on the lives of those involved. For instance, Duncan faces protests and death threats due to the misinterpretation of his traffic proposal as part of the Great Reset. James' pod housing solution is falsely portrayed as a means to force people into confined living spaces. Eda and Joseph also face backlash and threats due to misunderstandings and misrepresentations of their work.
The podcast discusses the role of influential figures like Glenn Beck and Jordan Peterson in amplifying and spreading the conspiracy theory. It examines the potential harm caused by such theories and the difficulty in dispelling them once they take hold.
Ultimately, the episode underscores the challenges of communicating complex ideas in an age of misinformation and the dangers of conspiracy theories in shaping public perception and discourse. It also touches on moments of human connection and understanding that can momentarily bridge the divide created by such theories, though these moments are often fleeting.
