The Think Tank

Joe and Matt return (again) to catch up after some time. Matt shares his impressions of the "Victory" parade. Joe has upgraded. They also discuss the events recently and past, and how the modern social media cycle continues to warp our understanding of war. And Brezhnev lives.Episode Links:https://x.com/MattPPea/status/1788486814723887163https://twitter.com/soldier_fellahttps://u24.gov.ua/

WE’RE BACK! Joe and Matt are joined by Dr. Judas Everett, a specialist in transitions from communism who lived in Moscow, Ukraine, and Poland. Did Ukraine’s counteroffensive fail?Why is doom so popular now?How is the war in the Middle East affecting Ukraine?What do people misunderstand about Russia?What are the differences with Ukraine’s and Russia’s transitions from communism?What are the causes of the border protests in Central Eastern Europe? Why is Seymour Hersh still a thing? (Recorded on 6th of December, 2023) 

Joe and Pingu are joined by Cormac Smith, outspoken supporter of Ukraine, formerly deputy director of communications for the UK, and with professional experience within Ukraine and working against disinformation. Also, Joe and Pingu discus useful idiots, poor journalism, and go off topic sometimes.SUPPORT LIFE-LINE UKRAINE: https://www.lifeline-ukraine.org/

In this very first live episode (well, the first part) Pingu seizes power in a glorious revolution. Replacing Joe then Matt.Matt and Pingu learn the Konchar bridge was bombed while discussing sharkgate, agenda setting, and the quality of western journalism. Later Joe and Pingu continue asking why is western journalism so bad. They also talk about what does waif in his underwear mean and Seymour Hersh' fall from grace. Prighozhin looms large and no one knows what's going on there.https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2023-07-27/how-to-defeat-russia-s-black-sea-grain-blockadehttps://www.wsj.com/articles/social-media-account-overseen-by-former-navy-noncommissioned-officer-helped-spread-secrets-a4b5643bDONATE: https://u24.gov.ua/

Pekka Kallioniemi, researcher and creator of Soup Central and Vatnik Soup, gets in the guest gunner seat in this episode. They discuss everything from RFK, the reasons to fight disinformation with the truth, the issues of social media platforms as marketplaces of ideas, and the importance of taking a break. Also, Joe and Matt inadvertently predict the coup attempt that happened a day after recording, reflect on a year of being in NAFO, and the importance of showing visible support to Ukraine, even in the Post Office.The Importance of TruthCan Twitter Be a Marketplace of Ideas? Lessons from Vatnik SoupWhy You Should Touch GrassPrighozin PreambleFellaversaryMatt goes to the Post OfficeLINKS: https://twitter.com/P_Kallioniemihttps://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220805-what-is-longtermism-and-why-does-it-matterhttps://twitter.com/freeonis_

Episode 9: Matt and Joe catch up on the news, reflect on previous podcasts, and Joe debunks some myths about Ukraine0-8:00 Catching up on the news8:10-12:45 Recap of Ben and Paul12:45-25:00 Cope, Boris Johnson, and Donald Trump25:00-37:45 Debunking the "shelling of the Donbass" 37:50-49:30 Work and life in West UkraineLINKS: https://u24.gov.ua/Pingu's donation thread: https://twitter.com/TheSadPingu/status/1667515013928714240?s=20https://www.bbc.com/mediacentre/proginfo/2023/25/marianna-in-conspiracyland

In this episode, Joe and Matt discuss copium then welcome Paul Massaro (Helsinki Institute) on to discuss disinformation, democracy, fighting for democracy, providing more weapons to Ukraine, and learning from Ukrainians in the west's fight for democracy. URGENT NEED FOR LIFEBOATS AND OTHER EQUIPMENT: Russia's terroristic blowing of the Nova Khakvoka dam has unleashed ecocide and destruction in Kherson. Ukraine needs immediate and urgent humanitarian donations.https://u24.gov.ua/lifeboathttps://www.help99.co/projects/lifeboats-fundraiser

Trailer for our next episode with guest gunner Paul Massaro.