Matt Placek
@mplacek.bsky.social
Political scientist at USC Upstate. Studies democratization, mass media, and public support for democracy: South Alabama and Ole Miss grad. Chicago sports fan. Mostly here to goof off and see what cool stuff y’all are working on.
I’m going Metallica- For Whom the Bell Tolls. If I had to pick from the list I’m going with Chop Suey. Might not be the best but I love it. If you like System of a Down, check out Orphaned Land’s album Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs. The first 3 songs are perfect for our profession.
November 26, 2024 at 12:02 AM
I’m going Metallica- For Whom the Bell Tolls. If I had to pick from the list I’m going with Chop Suey. Might not be the best but I love it. If you like System of a Down, check out Orphaned Land’s album Unsung Prophets and Dead Messiahs. The first 3 songs are perfect for our profession.
Back to backs are always tough. Especially when your opponent has had several days off.
November 22, 2024 at 3:10 AM
Back to backs are always tough. Especially when your opponent has had several days off.
As one of my PhD advisors told me, “Americanists are just comparativists that focus on a single case.”
November 22, 2024 at 2:21 AM
As one of my PhD advisors told me, “Americanists are just comparativists that focus on a single case.”
This is awesome! Could I be added if there’s space ?
November 21, 2024 at 2:50 AM
This is awesome! Could I be added if there’s space ?
I was done with them when they got rid of The Monkey Cage blog.
November 19, 2024 at 2:48 PM
I was done with them when they got rid of The Monkey Cage blog.
The crux of that for propaganda is that Russia and China need to provide an alternative to western liberal democracy. Usually that means framing democracy as indecisive, polarizing, weak, and hypocritical of values. They use any and all cherry-picked examples to do that.
January 24, 2024 at 2:07 PM
The crux of that for propaganda is that Russia and China need to provide an alternative to western liberal democracy. Usually that means framing democracy as indecisive, polarizing, weak, and hypocritical of values. They use any and all cherry-picked examples to do that.
Correct, modern authoritarianism is less ideologically coherent than historical totalitarianism. It means it’s more adaptive to different conditions (which side note might unfortunately make it more stable).
January 24, 2024 at 2:06 PM
Correct, modern authoritarianism is less ideologically coherent than historical totalitarianism. It means it’s more adaptive to different conditions (which side note might unfortunately make it more stable).
It’s because they have anti-democratic attitudes and don’t understand how propaganda works in autocracies. It’s easy for any autocratic propaganda to appeal to them because it’s all anti-west anti-democracy by definition.
January 24, 2024 at 12:38 PM
It’s because they have anti-democratic attitudes and don’t understand how propaganda works in autocracies. It’s easy for any autocratic propaganda to appeal to them because it’s all anti-west anti-democracy by definition.
I once couldn’t find my wallet for a day because my then 3 y/o decided it should be in the under seat compartment of his big wheel.
November 3, 2023 at 1:21 AM
I once couldn’t find my wallet for a day because my then 3 y/o decided it should be in the under seat compartment of his big wheel.
Great minds and such…
November 1, 2023 at 5:38 PM
Great minds and such…
Oh I don’t blame you. I’m sure I’ll still be watching/impersonating Doofenshmirtz when they no longer think it’s cool.
October 31, 2023 at 11:43 AM
Oh I don’t blame you. I’m sure I’ll still be watching/impersonating Doofenshmirtz when they no longer think it’s cool.
Automatic like for a Phineas and Ferb reference.
October 31, 2023 at 12:24 AM
Automatic like for a Phineas and Ferb reference.
Hi, would you mind adding me, please?
October 10, 2023 at 7:34 PM
Hi, would you mind adding me, please?
Can you DM a copy to me (or your email) on the other place? I’m teaching Propaganda and Misinfo in the spring and would love to add it to my syllabus.
October 9, 2023 at 10:46 PM
Can you DM a copy to me (or your email) on the other place? I’m teaching Propaganda and Misinfo in the spring and would love to add it to my syllabus.
Don’t feel bad. My first one was a veiled Dr. Doofenshmirtz reference from Phineas and Ferb.
October 8, 2023 at 11:21 PM
Don’t feel bad. My first one was a veiled Dr. Doofenshmirtz reference from Phineas and Ferb.