Doomscroll with Joshua Citarella

Quinn Slobodian, a Boston University professor and author of "Globalists: The End of Empire and the Birth of Neoliberalism," dives into the complex origins and implications of neoliberalism. He unpacks how this ideological movement has reshaped global politics since before World War I, highlighting key historical moments and influential figures. The conversation touches on the tension between capitalism and democracy, the rise of Special Economic Zones, and the controversial dynamics of corporate governance in today's world.

Explore the transformative power of the Gateway Tapes through personal accounts of out-of-body experiences. Delve into the surreal encounters with bizarre entities, like distorted moose doctors, that haunt the astral realm. Experience the journey from skepticism to embracing meditation amidst contrasting family beliefs. Uncover profound moments of introspection and the eerie balance between fear and curiosity when confronting the unknown. This intriguing exploration reveals the intersection of spirituality, consciousness, and personal growth.

In this lively discussion, Will Menaker, host of Chapo Trap House, dives into the unraveling of the left-liberal alliance and the Democratic Party's challenges. He takes a critical look at partisan identities and media's role in shaping youth engagement. With a witty touch, Menaker explores the impact of humanitarian crises, like the situation in Gaza, on electoral politics. The conversation also critiques radical rhetoric and its disconnect from public sentiment, while humor is posited as a tool for uncovering truths in today's turbulent landscape.

Carmelo Pampillonio, an artist and acoustics expert, joins the discussion to reveal fascinating insights about the Monroe Institute and its groundbreaking binaural beats technology. They dive into the mysterious intersections between military research and altered states of consciousness, including Project Stargate. The conversation explores infrasound's effects on perception and health, and the potential impacts of binaural beats on brainwave activity. Pampillonio even touches on the esoteric aspects of sound, hinting at cosmic connections with lunar communications.

Dasha Nekrasova, an actor, director, and co-host of the Red Scare podcast, shares her intriguing political evolution from a Bernie Sanders supporter to a Trump voter. She critiques how Democrats have weakened political consensus and discusses the influence of cultural producers on modern politics. Dasha dives into healthcare frustrations, the shifting political landscape, and the complexities of online communication. Their conversation also touches on generational shifts and the roles of institutions like Hollywood, raising questions about the future of political discourse in entertainment.

Mike Pepi is the author of “Against Platforms”, a bold critique of the hidden costs of digital life – and a manifesto for a better future. He is also one of my best friends and someone I have been in conversation with for over a decade.In this episode, we discuss our shared history in working to develop a new institutionalist critique of emerging technologies and platforms. The vast expansion of platforms during the 2010’s, which now encompass nearly all aspects of social life, represented a blindspot for the political left. To understand how this happened, we need to retrace the history of the 60’s counter-culture and the embrace of libertarian philosophies amongst the New Left.Since 2011, Mike Pepi, Brad Troemel, myself and other artists and writers have been engaged in an on-going dialogue that explores the ideological roots and design of platform technologies. Mike writes:“We have been taught that digital technologies are neutral tools, transparent, easily understood, and here to serve us. The reality, is that they are laden with assumptions and collateral consequences – ideology, in other words. And it is this hidden ideology that must be dismantled if we are to harness technology for the fullest expression of our humanity.”Get the book:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/761644/against-platforms-by-mike-pepi/If you’re all caught up on last week’s episode of Doomscroll, there is a subscribers only episode that can tide you over until next week. Below you can watch part 2 of my conversation with Dasha Nekrasova:We’re already moving full speed ahead, shooting and editing new episodes. You can expect to hear a lot from us in the coming weeks and months. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshuacitarella.substack.com/subscribe

My guest is Daniel Keller, an artist whose work and research has inspired me for over a decade. We discuss tech monopolies and their cozy relationship to state power, the artificial intelligence race, the chips war, network states and geopolitical competition between the US and China. These are the defining conflicts of the 21st century. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit joshuacitarella.substack.com/subscribe

Jack Wagner, writer-director and host of The Otherworld podcast who curates firsthand paranormal and esoteric internet stories. He talks about hunting strange online reports, how iceberg memes and obsessive searching shape modern myth-making. They trace the shift from online atheism to esoteric currents and reflect on creative precarity, podcasting’s comeback, and the weird, powerful pull of belief.

Caleb Cain (Faraday Speaks), an online commentator who publicly documented his experience of radicalization. He discusses how marketing tactics and recruitment funnels shaped extremist outreach. He recounts personal pathway from anarchism to civic nationalism and critiques how media and CVE programs flattened his story. He explores internet effects, deindustrialization, persuasion over censorship, and his work running a recovery community.

Amber A'Lee Frost, a writer and co-host of the Chapo Trap House podcast, dives into the complexities of today's political landscape. She critiques the dysfunctional left and explores how online culture influences youth political identities. Frost challenges perceptions of labor and generational responsibility, discussing the romanticization of past movements. The conversation also touches on building authentic communities and the impact of differing ideologies in personal spaces like therapy, all while advocating for practical solutions to societal issues.