On this episode, we review the 2014 thriller Nightcrawler, Directed by Dan Gilroy and starring Jake Gyllenhaal. 

The film follows enterprising psychopath Lou as he scouts the nocturnal underbelly of Los Angeles looking for opportunity. After being inspired to become a 'Stringer'; filming urban drama for local news stations, Lou's talent for exploiting tragedy garners him fame and fortune on the LA morning news circuit. But without empathy or conscience to temper his ambitions, he soon crosses the line between neutral observer and active participant. 

We discuss the portrayal of psychopathy and how this personality type is perfectly suited to news media, where exploitation is the very currency of the industry. The character of Lou finds himself at home amongst carnage and calamity, and has no inhibitions about manipulating both people and situations to his own advantage. 

We look further at the film's portrayal of the industry and the obvious references it makes to Los Angeles and Hollywood culture. By setting the scene at nighttime and focusing on local TV stations, the film reveals a darker side to 'Tinseltown', far from the bright lights and the silver screens, where has-beens and would-be's exploit every opportunity to get ahead and stay relevant. 

We also touch on the capitalist mythology espoused by Lou as he ruthlessly manoeuvres his way into the industry, discarding those who stand in his way. The supporting character of Rick exemplifies the struggles of the empath in contending with the pathological nature of the economic system, where numbers trump integrity and narratives trump the truth. 

Is 'Nightcrawler' a critique of Hollywood in general, and is it in fact a critique of the entire economic system? Does the psychopathic character of Lou tell us something profound about mass media? Be sure to check out our next episode, where we explore the concept of news stories and media narratives, looking at what Nightcrawler tells us about perception. 

Topics discussed include: Los Angeles, KWLA-6, Jake Gyllenhall, Bill Paxton, Rene Russo, Riz Ahmed, Psychopath, Sociopath, Cluster-B, Narcissist, Accident, Emergency, Crime, Urban, Carjacking, Stringer, Filming, Thief, Capitalism, Opportunism, Underbelly, Local News, Car-Chase, Dodge Challenger, Police, Shootout, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Hollywood, Affluence, Carnage, American Dream, Americana, Inspiration, Exploitation, Blackmail, Ratings, Narratives, Weakness, Empath, Psychology, Sabotage, Music, Soundtracks, Ambience, Skid Row, News Anchors, Attractive Women, Television, Sensationalism, Blood, 5 Arguments for The Abolition of Television, American Psycho, Selling Yourself, Employment, Bullshit, Hard Work, Being Realistic, Selling Out, Murder, Profit, Darkness, Attention, Scandal, Controversy, Expose, Actors, Stars, Celebrities, Debasement, Current Events.  

We continue discussing the 2016 US Presidential Election, reviewing the landslide victory by Donald Trump and what this astonishing development means for both mainstream and alternative culture. 

We start by looking at the question of how this happened. From the FBI to Wikileaks to a bizarre revelation about occult rituals at the 11th hour; Clinton's campaign was dogged by scandal and controversy that vindicated Trump's anti-establishment platform on the final mile. And did the Democratic establishment further provoke the upset by publicly denigrating Trump supporters and brashly claiming victory before the polls had even opened? 

As the dust settles, we question as to whether this populist uprising at the ballot box was the intended result of a targeted leaks campaign by hidden forces. From the Oxford Dictionary: "Trump: A valuable resource that may be used, especially as a surprise, in order to gain an advantage."

We discuss the mainstreaming of anti-establishment narratives in the lead up to the election, along with the future of alternative media in light of this event. Will platforms like Infowars depose the mainstream Neo-Con media, and will they cheerlead for Trump or hold him to his promises? The recent outreach of the Alt-Media into populist causes and the Trump campaign could not have been more opportune, as the outsiders now stand to become insiders.

We also discuss the obvious divisions that this election has created between the left and the right, with angry Marxist youth running riot while being mocked by cocky Trump supporters. Is the establishment's prediction of a Neo-Marxist uprising finally coming to fruition, and has this growing demographic been given a real reason to up the ante? 

Topics discussed include: Election, 2016, Trump, Clinton, Obama, Democrat, Republican, Landslide, Politics, Milestones, CNN, New York Times, Polls, Ballot Box, Satisfaction, Mainstream Media, Symbolic Language, Tarot Card, Rigged, DNC, Wikileaks, Anonymous, FBI, Spirit Cooking, John Podesta, Occult Rituals, Revelation of The Method, Alt-Right, Basket of Deplorables, Infowars, Red Ice, Milo Yiannopoulos, Paul Joseph Watson, Fox News, Racism, Liberals, SJW's, College Campuses, Marxists, Conspiracy, Anti-Establishment, Populist Uprising, Provocation, Attention Seeking, Targeted Leaks Campaign, Throwing the Fight, Strategic Trends, Extremist Narratives, Conflict, Tough Talk, BLM, Outsiders become Insiders, Stagecraft, Theatrics, Branding, Marketing, Products, Pop Culture, Arts, Elections as PSYOPS, Emotion, Reality TV, Celebrity Culture, Ronald Reagan, George Clooney, Brad Pitt, Alex Jones, Ted Nugent, Future Elections. 

On this special episode, we deconstruct the 2016 US Presidential Race between Hilary Clinton and Donald Trump, focusing on the social phenomenon of broad-based Trump support within alternative and conservative demographics. 

Rather than a partisan assessment of the candidates themselves, we look at Pro-Trump sentiment in the Alt-Media as a result of social disintegration in the wider ‘Truth Movement’, where the failed ambition of 9/11 Truth and Anti-Establishment groups has given birth to the rise of the ‘Alt-Right’ and White-Identity Politics. 

We discuss the study of popular narratives and internet memes by the DoD, looking at how opinion and culture can be analysed and influenced, and how the psychological principals of propaganda are so easily utilised in the information age. Given the new set of cultural narratives that are rising to prominence, we explore the morphing of traditional 'conspiracy culture' into right-wing ideology, looking at the motives and ambitions of those who are leading the charge.

Is the 2016 election a piece of scripted drama for the masses? Has it been designed to absorb the 'Truth Movement' and lead it down the primrose path towards destruction? Is Donald Trump sincere in is bid for the Oval Office, or is he simply appointing himself as the vanguard of a reactionary uprising against the liberal establishment?

Topics Discussed include: Donald Trump, Hilary Clinton, Election, 2016, Memes, Narratives, Culture, Debates, Alternative Media, Truth Movement, Alt-Right, Milo Yiannopoulos, Alex Jones, Red Ice, Conspiracy, Left Wing, Globalism, Liberal, Rigged Election, Corruption, Trump-TV, Propaganda, David Icke, Democrat, Republican, Obama, Jacques Ellul, PSYOP, Fascism, Opportunism, 9/11 Truth, Victimhood, Flat Earth, Nazi's, 2012, NWO, Elite, Establishment, Zeitgeist, Religion, Political Correctness, Paul Joseph Watson, Steven Crowder, Gavin McInnes, Joe Rogan, Vikings, White Identity Politics, Immigration, Police State, Martial Law, Terrorism, DARPA, SMISC, Narrative Networks, MIC, Internet, Cherrypicking, Nightcrawler, CIA, FBI, Karl Rove.