WakingWorld

It was January 2024, and we were kicking off the new year with two of the most controversial and heavily scrutinised events in modern American history: the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

Nothing like starting the year with something light.

Both events changed the course of history, generated decades of speculation and left behind questions that continue to provoke fierce debate.

In this episode, we explore some of the better-known conspiracy theories surrounding JFK and 9/11, along with a few of the more obscure interpretations that rarely make it into mainstream discussions.

But there’s another dimension to the conversation.

What happens to a population when it experiences an event of enormous collective trauma? How do fear, uncertainty and national tragedy influence public opinion, political decisions and people’s willingness to accept official explanations?

We examine the idea that mass traumatic events can be exploited to shape public behaviour, reinforce authority and influence how societies understand the world around them.

Some theories are familiar. Others are considerably more extraordinary. And, as always, the challenge is separating legitimate questions from speculation.

Another journey into the more uncomfortable corners of history, where the official narrative is only the beginning of the conversation.

Explore Anything. Question Everything.

Another perfectly sensible collection of subjects for an episode of Is It News?

Book publishing.
Ryvitas (again).
AI targeting systems.
Tandoor ovens.
US Midterms.
Australian school curriculum.
007.

This episode, I spend a considerable amount of time talking about what I've been up to, including my adventures in book publishing, the finer points of Ryvita consumption and a rather unexpected connection between tandoor ovens and maintaining a spotless toilet bowl.

Eventually, I get around to the newspapers.

There's a bit about artificial intelligence, military targeting systems and who's responsible when things go horribly wrong. Then it's a quick wander through American politics, what's being taught in Australian schools and who might be slipping into the next James Bond tuxedo.

Nothing particularly structured. Just a few headlines, some opinions and the occasional tangent.

As usual, there's no particular reason for any of this...other than to shamelessly try and rustle up some interest in my debut novel!!

Welcome to Is It News? — where the news is occasionally discussed, usually towards the end.

It was that strange little period between Christmas and New Year in 2023. Nobody quite knew what day it was, the festivities were winding down, and we decided it was the perfect opportunity to discuss aliens.

Naturally.

In this episode, we explore the fascinating subject of UFO disclosure, extraterrestrial life and the increasingly public conversations surrounding unidentified aerial phenomena (UAPs).

We discuss the possibility of governments withholding information about extraterrestrial encounters, the growing interest in disclosure, and whether some of the extraordinary stories appearing in the media might be serving another purpose entirely.

Which brings us to the subject of red herrings.

Could sensational revelations about UFOs and aliens be used to distract public attention from more uncomfortable political and institutional questions? Or are we simply witnessing a genuine shift in how these subjects are being discussed?

And then, somehow, we arrive at flat Earth.

Now, you might imagine that someone with an extensive knowledge of occultism and esoteric traditions would be open to just about any unconventional theory.

Apparently not.

Even my co-host had his limits.

Another wonderfully meandering conversation from the early days of WakingWorld, recorded as 2023 drew to a close.

I've just recorded 'Is It News?' on Friday 30th October. I've got a 3-day old Australian paper that I still don't touch. But the banal conversation will keep you audibly occupied for approx. 45 MINSSSSSS.

Topics, thus:

Murder. 
Ryvita toppings.
V8 Super Cars.
Old Fashioneds.
Book.
Blood pressure.

It was December 2023. Christmas was just around the corner, the Australian summer was in full swing, and we’d settled in for a few drinks on a rather balmy evening.

What better opportunity to put the world to rights?

After several episodes exploring some fairly extraordinary subjects, we decided to take a slightly more relaxed approach. Although, as you’ll quickly discover, our idea of a relaxing conversation wasn’t necessarily everyone’s.

We revisited the aftermath of COVID, reflected on the political decisions and controversies of the preceding years, and shared our thoughts on the state of politics and the institutions we’re supposed to trust.

There wasn’t any particular destination. Just two blokes enjoying a few drinks, asking questions, sharing opinions and occasionally wandering off on a tangent.

Looking back, it’s a rather nice snapshot of WakingWorld in its early days, when we were still finding our feet and discovering just how far our conversations could wander.

So, pour yourself something nice and join us for a little trip back to Christmas 2023.