8 chapters across the catalog
The discussion focuses on the rapid shift in public sentiment regarding the Israel-Palestine conflict, noting how former Black Lives Matter activists were quickly "reprogrammed." The hosts argue that viral content is often manufactured by bots and "syntax" like memes and headlines. They cite the Kony 2012 campaign as an early example of artificial virality used to manipulate public perception.
Intelligence reports suggest that Russia specifically targeted Black social media circles during the 2016 presidential election to create internal community divides. Tactics included the creation of anti-Hillary and anti-Bernie memes to influence voters in digital spaces. The hosts discuss how these efforts led to accusations of legitimate activist groups being labeled as Russian bots.
Kamala Harris launched her presidential campaign on January 20, 2019, but faced immediate criticism from the ADOS (American Descendants of Slavery) movement. Media figures like Joy-Ann Reed attributed this organic black pushback to Russian bots. The hosts argue that the ADOS movement's demands for specific policies were a significant hurdle for the Harris campaign.
A throwback clip from episode 15 features Joy Reed and Shireen Mitchell discussing how to identify "bots" pretending to be Black women online. They specifically target the ADOS and DOS hashtags as indicators of disinformation. Adam Curry credits this specific broadcast with sparking his initial interest in investigating the ADOS movement and eventually connecting with Mo Fax.
Farrakhan argues that Black leaders often "sell out" their people for positions of minor influence. Mo Facts uses this to analyze the modern relationship between Black voters and the Democratic Party, noting that when Black people ask for tangibles like reparations, they are labeled as "Black bots" or told they "ain't Black." He suggests that asking for reparations reveals the true nature of political allies.
Joy-Ann Reed and Shireen Mitchell discuss "Black Bot" campaigns designed to discourage Black voters by focusing on reparations and criminal justice. The hosts mock the idea that Black voters asking for "tangibles" in exchange for their vote are Russian assets. They also note P. Diddy's quick endorsement of Harris after previously threatening to hold the Black vote "hostage."
A host recounts living in San Francisco during the Obama campaign, observing "Obama bots" who used aggressive volunteer tactics. The discussion explores the social pressure of the era, where opposition to Obama was often equated with being against black people or being a "race traitor" (coon).
Donald Trump's unorthodox rhetoric regarding African Americans is viewed by some as the behavior of an older generation rather than systemic malice. Meanwhile, mainstream media figures like Joy Reid on MSNBC have dismissed the ADOS movement as a product of Russian bots. This dismissal is seen as an attempt to suppress a legitimate uprising within the black community regarding immigration and reproductive health policies.
