BONUS: Is Social Media a Blessing or a Curse for Democracy?

BONUS: Is Social Media a Blessing or a Curse for Democracy?

Author: Liam Heffernan April 12, 2025 Duration: 17:09
America: The Story of the USA
HistoryCultureNewsPoliticsSocietySociety & Culture

In this lively bonus episode, we hit the rewind button to dig deeper into our earlier talk on the Internet’s influence on American politics, focusing on the undeniable role of social media. Liam and the brilliant Jennifer Stromer-Galley dive into the vibrant and sometimes volatile world of Twitter, TikTok, and Reddit.

They contemplate whether social media is merely a tool for political communication, or if it has morphed into something far more complex, shaping narratives and influencing outcomes in ways we’re just beginning to understand.

...

Special guest for this episode:

  • Jennifer Stromer-Galley, a Professor in the School of Information Studies at Syracuse University. She is former president of the Association of Internet Researchers, and she is author of the widely-acclaimed book Presidential Campaigning in the Internet Age.

...

Highlights from this episode:

  • In today's episode, we dove deep into how social media, especially platforms like Reddit and TikTok, has reshaped the way we consume news and engage in political discourse.
  • We discussed how Trump and Musk are leveraging social media to influence American politics, creating both opportunities and concerns for democracy.
  • Reddit's unique community-focused nature allows for more extensive discussions, setting it apart from quicker, more superficial platforms like Twitter.
  • We also touched on the impact of campaign financing in politics, highlighting how money matters more than ever in shaping electoral outcomes and candidate viability.

...

Additional Resources:

Presidential Campaigning in the Internet Age by Jennifer Stromer-Galley

Jennifer Stromer-Galley - iSchool | Syracuse University

Social Media: Are TikTok videos the way to win an election? - BBC News

12 States With Teens' Social Media Regulation- Is Yours One of Them?

Facebook, Cambridge Analytica scandal: Everything you need to know

...

And if you like this episode, you might also love:

What Was the Constitutional Convention?

Why Does the President Only Serve Two Terms?

Is the President Above the Law?

How Are Presidents Elected?


Hosted by Liam Heffernan, America: The Story of the USA is a deep and ongoing conversation about the forces that have shaped the nation. This isn't just a history lesson; it's an exploration of how the past directly informs today's headlines and cultural shifts. Each episode brings together a remarkable range of voices, from Nobel laureates and acclaimed historians to veteran journalists, to dissect pivotal moments and current events with nuance and depth. You'll hear discussions that connect the dots between a centuries-old political decision and a modern social movement, or examine a breaking news story through the lens of long-standing cultural patterns. The aim is to provide a richer, more connected understanding of the American experience in all its complexity. By weaving together threads from history, politics, society, and culture, this podcast offers a comprehensive and thoughtful narrative. For those who want to look beyond the soundbites and understand the deeper currents running through the United States, this series serves as an essential and engaging resource. Tune in for a consistently insightful analysis that treats the American story as the living, evolving saga that it truly is.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Official website RSS
America: The Story of the USA
Podcast Episodes
What is a Filibuster? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 39:20
Ever wonder what a filibuster actually is? Well, this week we dive into the quirky world of filibusters with a political science professor who’s literally written the book on the subject! He breaks down the origins of fi…
BONUS: Rosa Parks is More Than Just the Lady on the Bus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:02
In this special bonus chat, following the release of 'Who is Rosa Parks?' Liam and guests discuss how the civil rights movement, and figures like Parks, are taught and remembered, particularly in an age where disinformat…
Why Does America Have So Many Prisons? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:26
This week, as Trump promises to make America great again.. again, I want to find out more about the prison system. In some states, up to 10% of budgets are allocated to correctional facilities, and yet incarceration rate…
BONUS: How American Media Distorts Perceptions of the Middle East [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:01
In this bonus episode, Liam and special guest Melani McAlister dive into the complex perceptions Americans have about the Middle East, particularly in light of popular culture and media representation.They discuss how i…
Who is Rosa Parks? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:13
This week, to celebrate Black History Month in the US, we are shining a light on one of the most influential figures in American history. Her relentless efforts for social justice and equality made her a powerful voice o…
BONUS: Will Bryan Cranston be the Next Freddy Krueger? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 14:38
In this special bonus episode, following the recording of 'Who is Freddy Krueger?', Liam and special guest Noel Mellor discuss their favourite horror films, the future of Freddy, and our ideal castings - Jack Black, anyo…
[EMERGENCY EPISODE] ITM: The Washington D.C. Plane Crash [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 10:53
On the evening of Jan 29th 2025, an American Airlines flight carrying 60 people has collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River in Washington D.C.In this emergency episode of America: A History in the Ma…
What is America's Relationship to the Middle East? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 38:37
Every American generation has a unique memory tied to the nation's involvement in the Middle East, from the Gulf War to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.America has often inserted itself into the politics and the conflicts w…
BONUS: What Does MAGA Mean for the GOP? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 13:44
In this special bonus chat, Liam and special guest Mike Cowburn discuss the two party system in America, and how Trump and the MAGA are challenging the status quo....Special guest for this episode:Dr. Mike Cowburn, a Pos…

«1...678910