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Themes and Memes

Themes and Memes is a different kind of movie review. It is a podcast that delves deep into the dark side of Hollywood films including subjects such as culture creation, state sponsorship, propaganda, predictive programming, occult symbolism and deep subtext. Be sure to listen and subscribe to the feed.
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Now displaying: August, 2016
Aug 31, 2016

On this episode, we welcome special guest Jay Dyer from Jay's Analysis to discuss the 2016 crime-drama Imperium.

After gaining intelligence on radical Neo-Nazi groups, FBI Agent 'Nate' is tasked with infiltrating the heart of the White Supremacist movement to investigate a suspected terror plot. Once embedded into the highest levels of the network though, he eventually learns that there are no credible threats of terror, and is thus encouraged by his superiors to both inspire and facilitate one himself. 

We look the the parallels between the fictional story being told in the film, and the real-world entrapment scenarios being orchestrated by the FBI; where high profile 'terror plots' are engineered by undercover agents and then foiled by the Bureau - such as the infamous 'Newburgh Sting' case and others. We touch on the history of key players within Far-Right movements and the incitement of political agitation by establishment networks, drawing connections between high profile extremism and the deep-state. 

We also look at the backstory behind the film, where Director Daniel Ragussis asserted his desire to prompt a civilised deconstruction of extremist racial narratives; consulting former FBI Agent Mike German on both White Supremacist ideology and Federal subversion tactics. We discuss the interpretations of Neo-Nazi doctrine and Extreme-Right social demographics being presented in the film, and question as to what sentiments are being communicated in regard to sociopolitical dialectics. 

Is Imperium advancing a more complex narrative about paranoia and political ethics, or does it seek to justify the western liberal policy of eliminating all opposition?

 

Topics discussed include: Imperium, Jay Dyer, Daniel Ragussis, Daniel Radcliffe, FBI, Neo-Nazis, White Supremacists, Terrorism, Surveillance, Intelligence, Credible Threats, Infiltration, Provocateurs, Ferguson Riots, Dallas Shooting, Orlando, False Flag, Dylan Roof, Charleston Shooting, Skinheads, Oklahoma City Bombing, Timothy McVeigh, Elohim City, Extremists, Far-Right Politics, Hal Turner, The Turner Diaries, Race War, Anti-Zionism, Lew Rockwell, Dallas Wolf, Fascism, CIA, Ukraine, Pussy Riot, Femen, Christian Identity, KKK, Geopolitics, The Newburgh Sting, Mike German, Brennan Law Centre, Police State Pageantry, John Birch Society, Predictive Programming, Victimhood, Western Liberalism, Democracy, Nation of Islam, Cognitive Bias, Charles Manson, PSYOPS, EU, Immigration, Multiculturalism, Rush Limbaugh, George Soros, Democracy Now, Michael Moore, BLM, Bill Maher, Conspiracy Theorists, White Genocide, Alt-Right, Henrik Palmgren, Red Ice, Hilary Clinton, Alex Jones, Donald Trump, Ethno-Nationalism, David Duke, Kevin McDonald, Cultural Marxism, Militias, Communism, Aleksander Dugin, Contradictions of Liberalism, Globalism, United Nations, Diversity, Demographics, Revolution, Audiences, NSA, Cyber-Ops, Narrative Networks, Jay's Analysis, Esoteric Hollywood. 

 

Aug 25, 2016

On this episode, we welcome special guest Pearse Redmond from Porkins Policy Review to discuss the new Netflix Original series, Stranger Things.

Comprising one season of eight episodes thus far, the show is one of many recent productions that are made exclusive to on-demand platforms, and has fast become a sentimental sensation among its thirty-something target audience; thanks to its pastiche of 80's pop culture references and nostalgic plot devices. 

We start by establishing the beginnings of the story, where strange events begin to unfold in 1980's small town America. Set against the backdrop of a secretive Cold War experiment at a local government facility, the series blends real world references to geopolitics and conspiracy culture with a heavy overlay of fantasy, horror, and science fiction - staying true to the aesthetic and screenplay of the classic 80's sub-genre.

We also explore one of the most interesting aspects of the series, in looking at the target marketing of customised entertainment, where tools like analytics and meta-data seem to be driving the production of on-demand, niche-marketed TV series. Is a merge between Hollywood and Silicon Valley going to be the next big tech revolution?

Finally, we discuss some of the archetypes, roles, and cultural dynamics being presented in the show, and explore the question of how mass culture can influence our perceptions of history, where memories are continuously filtered through an emotional overlay of sentimental entertainment. 

 

Topics discussed include: Stranger Things, Netflix Original, Duffer Brothers, On Demand, Binge Watching, 1980's, Hawkins Indiana, Children, Dungeons & Dragons, Demagorgon, Upside Down, Akira, Nostalgia, Pop Culture, Homage to classic 80's films, Sentimentality, The Goonies, ET, BMX Bikes, Poltergeist, The Neverending Story, Labyrinth, Stand by Me, Steven Spielberg, George Lucas, Stephen King, Super-8, J.J Abrams, 11, El, The X-Files, Alphabet Agencies, Shadow Government, Department of Energy, CIA, DOD, Pentagon, NSA, NASA, MK-ULTRA, Project Stargate, Remote Viewing, United Earth Army, Men Who Stare at Goats, Jay Dyer, SRI, Aspen, Esalan, Conspiracy Culture, Cold War, Men in Black, UFO's, Paranormal, Supernatural, Horror, Mind Control, LSD, Surveillance, ESP, Telekinesis, Mainstreaming of Conspiracy, Addictive Nature of TV Shows, Epic Dramas, Nostalgia as Bait, 80's Aesthetic, Graphics, Font, Analog Synth Music, Novelty Factor, Target Marketing of Culture, Silicon Valley, Hollywood, Demographics, Children of the 80's, Meta-Data, Analytics, Synchronicity, Social Norms, Paranoia, Geopolitics, Ronald Reagan, Altering History, Filter of Memory, Innocent Fun, Authority Figures, Government, Gender Roles, Lack of Parenting, Latch-Key Children, Reflections.

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