Unspun

Divided We Scroll: How Wedge Issues and Purity Tests Keep You Distracted and Ineffective

“You either agree with us… or you’re out.”Ever felt like saying the wrong thing—even gently—could get you exiled from your community, your party, your friend group? In this episode of UnSpun, Dr. Sturg explores the rise of ideological purity tests:Why your social feed feels like a loyalty gauntletHow politicians, religious leaders, and even scientists use purity rhetoric to silence dissentThe hidden power of wedge issues in dividing movementsAnd how the internet has made it faster, more punishing, and more profitable Learn how groupthink spreads, what purity logic does to our ability to think clearly, and what we can do to fight back.Real-world examples from the U.S., Canada, Hungary, South America, Reddit, Wikipedia, and more.It’s about identity, fear, and power and if you feel silenced, this one’s for you.. Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

The real threat from AI is truthiness

Have you ever believed a video, article, or photo—only to realize it was completely fake? Generative AI tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney are making it cheaper and easier than ever to create convincing misinformation. In this UnSpun, Dr. Sturg explores the unsettling rise of AI-driven lies, what it means for journalism, politics, and democracy, and how you can keep yourself from falling for convincing fakes.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Hijacking hashtags to control the conversation: How minor politicians make themselves stars

Politicians don’t just post online—they surf the trends. In this episode of UnSpun, Dr Sturg explores agenda surfing: hijacking trending topics to gain attention, distract from controversy, or push unrelated agendas. From Germany''s far-right 120 decibels campaign to Trump's Twitter distractions and coordinated WhatsApp groups in India, we show how political actors use digital platforms to dominate the conversation. Plus, we explain how crises and media events create golden moments of “shared attention”—and how elites use them to amplify their power.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Riots or Rights? How Media Shapes Your View of Protests

Ever wonder why the same protest looks peaceful on one news channel and chaotic on another? In this episode of UnSpun, Dr. Sturg looks at how media coverage frames public demonstrations. Learn about the "protest paradigm," explore how journalists' choices shape your perception, and discover real-world examples from Black Lives Matter to historic marches in Birmingham and Occupy Wall Street.🔍 What you'll learn in this episode:How media framing can turn peaceful demonstrations into perceived threatsWhy dramatic images of violence dominate headlinesReal-world examples from global protests and what media gets wrong (and right!)Practical tips on how YOU can critically evaluate protest coverageAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Demagogues, Misinformation, and the Death of Truth in U.S. Democracy

Why do repeated lies work—even when we know they’re false? In this episode of UnSpun, Dr. Sturg explores the Big Lie in American politics, the psychology behind the illusory truth effect, and how figures like Kari Lake have used rhetoric to reshape public belief. She also talks to rhetoric expert Dr. Jennifer Mercieca, author of Demagogue for President, about how demagogues manipulate language to avoid accountability, build loyalty, and undermine democratic norms.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy