27 chapters across the catalog
The discussion centers on Robert Greene's 2006 book, The 33 Strategies of War. Mo describes the 27-hour audiobook and a condensed video version that outlines strategic principles derived from historical military leaders. The hosts plan to apply these strategies to modern psychological warfare and current global events, noting Greene's previous success with The 48 Laws of Power.
A clip from Robert Greene argues that while technology changes, the fundamental nature of warfare remains constant. The hosts discuss the Russia-Ukraine war, describing it as an antiquated conflict where Slavic brothers kill each other in fields. They critique the psychological operations used to make populations fear Vladimir Putin and the potential for further European invasion.
Robert Greene uses the metaphor of climbing a mountain to describe gaining strategic clarity over a "battlefield" of information. Mo explains that the goal of the podcast is to help listeners reach this 360-degree view by digesting information slowly rather than reacting to headlines. They emphasize the importance of recognizing repeating historical patterns.
The hosts begin a sequential review of Greene's strategies. Strategy 1 involves identifying and declaring war on enemies to gain purpose. They discuss how media figures like Judge Jeanine use fear of a nuclear Iran to energize audiences. They also note the strategic timing of films like Oppenheimer and Barbie in shaping public sentiment.
Strategy 2 emphasizes reacting to the present rather than repeating tired formulas. The hosts discuss how "rumors of war" are more cost-effective than actual combat. They touch on the death of Henry Kissinger and upcoming leadership changes in NATO as part of a larger global setup, while noting that the public is often distracted by memes and specific flags.
Strategy 3 focuses on resisting emotional pulls and staying decisive during turmoil. The hosts credit Donald Trump with mastering this "45 Savage" playbook, using it to unhinge opponents. They discuss how the elite use historical texts like The Art of War to maintain their presence of mind while the public loses theirs over manufactured crises.
Strategy 4 involves placing oneself on "death ground" to force action. The hosts discuss how the peace movement of the 1960s was neutralized with psychedelics because peace is bad for business. They frame the modern climate change movement as a "slow battleship" used to create a sense of urgency and guilt in the individual.
Strategy 5 covers the balance between leadership and collective irrationality. The hosts use Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (AOC) as an example of a leader who is allowed some latitude but must ultimately "get on code" with the party on major issues like war. They argue that when a figure is no longer useful for a specific narrative, they are removed from the media spotlight.
Strategy 6 highlights speed and adaptability through flexible organization. The hosts discuss how TikTok and social media algorithms segment the population into tailored echo chambers. Adam Curry shares his experience of going viral on TikTok after appearing on Joe Rogan, noting how the platform feeds users exactly what they want to see to prevent counter-messaging.
Strategy 7 involves motivating people through a collective cause or crusade. The hosts discuss Elon Musk's role as a leader "in the trenches" of the free speech war, riling up "Info Mavericks." They describe the return of Alex Jones to Twitter as a "morale boost" for the truth-seeking community and analyze the use of "community notes" as a new form of rank and punishment.
Strategy 9 emphasizes letting the enemy move first to exploit their weaknesses. The hosts apply this to personal resilience, advocating for localism and community-building as a counter to macro-level chaos. They encourage listeners to focus on their neighbors and local food supplies rather than trying to fight the "ocean" of global systems.
Strategy 10 involves deterring aggression by appearing "a little crazy" or violent. The hosts discuss the dehumanizing effect of constant media violence, from video game-style war footage to domestic gun violence. They note how the "presence" of threat, such as living under drones or constant crime reports, is used to keep populations in a state of fear.
Strategy 11 suggests retreating to gain perspective. The hosts discuss the constant barrage of digital notifications from politicians like Kamala Harris and Greg Abbott as a form of "real-time propaganda." They advocate for turning off phone notifications to reclaim mental space and avoid being constantly "spun up" by the 24-hour news cycle.
Strategy 12 focuses on "Grand Strategy" and long-term goals over minor victories. The hosts use political "sacrifices" like George Santos and Sam Brinton as examples of figures who are given up to maintain the larger system's appearance of integrity. They argue that the elite are willing to lose small battles to secure ultimate power.
Strategy 13 involves understanding the opponent's mind. The hosts discuss how the food industry uses the "bliss point" to engineer addiction, making individuals their own enemies. They also touch on Kanye West's public struggles and how his "friendly front" was used to mine him for information before his eventual marginalization.
Strategy 15 emphasizes defining the nature of the relationship and shifting conflict to favorable terrain. The hosts cite Elizabeth Warren and Jamie Dimon's attacks on Bitcoin as a tactic to rile up the community and control the narrative. They compare this to "Fabian Socialism," which uses incremental steps to close the gap on power.
Strategy 16 involves striking the "center of gravity" or what the enemy most cherishes. The hosts discuss how Trump's ego is his soft spot, while Kanye West and Candace Owens have shifted the "moral terrain" regarding Zionism. They describe Tucker Carlson as the "conservative Barbara Walters," providing the must-see platform for controversial figures.
Strategy 17 focuses on sowing dissension from within. The hosts analyze the public infighting between conservative figures like Ben Shapiro, Candace Owens, and Megyn Kelly as a "destruction before our eyes." They argue that the ultimate "joint" being attacked is the family unit, using divisive terminology to create internal conflict.
Strategy 18 involves approaching stubborn opponents indirectly. The hosts identify "Buy Now, Pay Later" schemes and the social pressure to own an iPhone as the "soft flank" of the modern consumer. They discuss how "conspicuous consumption" and brand awareness are used to turn individuals into debt slaves for products they don't need.
Strategy 19 describes creating relentless pressure from all sides to surround the opponent's mind. The hosts cite Alex Jones and InfoWars as masters of 24/7 engagement. They also mock the public concern over T-Mobile monitoring texts, pointing out that the NSA has already been collecting all digital communications for years.
