web02.fireside.fm Fri, 24 Apr 2026 05:12:45 -0500 Fireside (https://fireside.fm) Outsider Theory - Episodes Tagged with “Conspiracy Theory” https://outsidertheory.fireside.fm/tags/conspiracy%20theory Tue, 26 Oct 2021 16:00:00 -0400 Outsider Theory is an interview-based podcast exploring the mutations of theories outside of the authorized spaces of intellectual life as well as theories of that ever-alluring figure, the outsider, and related subjects. en-us episodic Theory on the outside, theory of the outside, outside of the theory Geoff Shullenberger Outsider Theory is an interview-based podcast exploring the mutations of theories outside of the authorized spaces of intellectual life as well as theories of that ever-alluring figure, the outsider, and related subjects. no critical theory, conspiracy theory, outsider intellectuals, outsiders, the outside Geoff Shullenberger gshullenb@gmail.com Silent Weapons for Quiet Wars: On Bill Cooper with Mark Jacobson https://outsidertheory.fireside.fm/silent-weapons 28902d48-b26b-4759-bc31-47beb1579e45 Tue, 26 Oct 2021 16:00:00 -0400 Geoff Shullenberger full Geoff Shullenberger William Milton Cooper was one of the most influential conspiracy theorists of the 20th century. Mark Jacobson, author of Pale Horse Rider, joins me to discuss Cooper's life, ideas, and eclectic cultural impact. 1:26:16 no The author and radio personality William Milton Cooper exercised a remarkably broad influence on conspiracy theory in the United States and beyond in the late 20th century. After his death in a shootout with police at his Arizona compound just months after 9/11, his name passed into legend, but the extent of his influence is often overlooked. Cooper's 1991 book Behold a Pale Horse, which claimed to document the Illuminati's scheme for a New World Order, was often described as a manifesto of the militia movement; it also circulated widely as contraband in prisons, especialy among African Americans, and as a result, became a frequent reference in hip hop lyrics in the 90s. Journalist Mark Jacobson was introduced to Cooper by one of his most prominent fans, the Wu Tang Clan's Old Dirty Bastard. He subsequently immersed himself in Cooper's writings, broadcasts, and career, and in 2018, published the first biography of him, Pale Horse Rider. Mark joins me to discuss the book, its subject, conspiracy culture in the Trump era, and more. Follow Mark on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palehorseriderbook/?hl=en Buy Pale Horse Rider: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/316378/pale-horse-rider-by-mark-jacobson/ Buy Behold a Pale Horse: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780929385228 Listen to The Hour of the Time: http://hourofthetime.com/ William Milton Cooper, Mark Jacobson, Behold a Pale Horse, The Hour of the Time, conspiracy theory, Pale Horse Rider The author and radio personality William Milton Cooper exercised a remarkably broad influence on conspiracy theory in the United States and beyond in the late 20th century. After his death in a shootout with police at his Arizona compound just months after 9/11, his name passed into legend, but the extent of his influence is often overlooked. Cooper's 1991 book Behold a Pale Horse, which claimed to document the Illuminati's scheme for a New World Order, was often described as a manifesto of the militia movement; it also circulated widely as contraband in prisons, especialy among African Americans, and as a result, became a frequent reference in hip hop lyrics in the 90s. Journalist Mark Jacobson was introduced to Cooper by one of his most prominent fans, the Wu Tang Clan's Old Dirty Bastard. He subsequently immersed himself in Cooper's writings, broadcasts, and career, and in 2018, published the first biography of him, Pale Horse Rider. Mark joins me to discuss the book, its subject, conspiracy culture in the Trump era, and more.

Follow Mark on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palehorseriderbook/?hl=en

Buy Pale Horse Rider: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/316378/pale-horse-rider-by-mark-jacobson/

Buy Behold a Pale Horse: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780929385228

Listen to The Hour of the Time: http://hourofthetime.com/

]]> The author and radio personality William Milton Cooper exercised a remarkably broad influence on conspiracy theory in the United States and beyond in the late 20th century. After his death in a shootout with police at his Arizona compound just months after 9/11, his name passed into legend, but the extent of his influence is often overlooked. Cooper's 1991 book Behold a Pale Horse, which claimed to document the Illuminati's scheme for a New World Order, was often described as a manifesto of the militia movement; it also circulated widely as contraband in prisons, especialy among African Americans, and as a result, became a frequent reference in hip hop lyrics in the 90s. Journalist Mark Jacobson was introduced to Cooper by one of his most prominent fans, the Wu Tang Clan's Old Dirty Bastard. He subsequently immersed himself in Cooper's writings, broadcasts, and career, and in 2018, published the first biography of him, Pale Horse Rider. Mark joins me to discuss the book, its subject, conspiracy culture in the Trump era, and more.

Follow Mark on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/palehorseriderbook/?hl=en

Buy Pale Horse Rider: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/316378/pale-horse-rider-by-mark-jacobson/

Buy Behold a Pale Horse: https://www.indiebound.org/book/9780929385228

Listen to The Hour of the Time: http://hourofthetime.com/

]]> Meet the New Paranoia, Same as the Old Paranoia (Mostly) with Jesse Walker https://outsidertheory.fireside.fm/paranoia e83ab6c1-5b6c-4905-aa97-136db20adef9 Wed, 24 Mar 2021 13:15:00 -0400 Geoff Shullenberger full Geoff Shullenberger Jesse Walker, author of The United States of Paranoia, joins Outsider Theory to discuss why Trump era paranoid politics was not so different from earlier times and Adam Curtis's new documentary. 1:51:14 no Jesse Walker, author of the excellent United States of Paranoia (2013) and books editor at Reason, joins Outsider Theory to revisit his book's arguments in light of Trump era politics. We discuss the Capitol riot and why it reveals not a unified front but a highly fractured right-wing fringe, and the continuities between liberal establishment paranoia of recent years and the militia panic of the 90s. Jesse also makes the case that playful internet conspiracy theorizing is a continuation of the much older "ironic style" of paranoia that originated with figures like Kerry Thornley and Robert Anton Wilson in the 1960s. Finally, we critique Adam Curtis's treatment of all these themes in his new film "Can't Get You Out of My Head." https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-united-states-of-paranoia-jesse-walker https://reason.com/people/jesse-walker/ Jesse Walker, paranoia, conspiracy theory, militia movement, Discordianism, Robert Anton Wilson, Kerry Thornley, Adam Curtis Jesse Walker, author of the excellent United States of Paranoia (2013) and books editor at Reason, joins Outsider Theory to revisit his book's arguments in light of Trump era politics. We discuss the Capitol riot and why it reveals not a unified front but a highly fractured right-wing fringe, and the continuities between liberal establishment paranoia of recent years and the militia panic of the 90s. Jesse also makes the case that playful internet conspiracy theorizing is a continuation of the much older "ironic style" of paranoia that originated with figures like Kerry Thornley and Robert Anton Wilson in the 1960s. Finally, we critique Adam Curtis's treatment of all these themes in his new film "Can't Get You Out of My Head."

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-united-states-of-paranoia-jesse-walker

https://reason.com/people/jesse-walker/

]]> Jesse Walker, author of the excellent United States of Paranoia (2013) and books editor at Reason, joins Outsider Theory to revisit his book's arguments in light of Trump era politics. We discuss the Capitol riot and why it reveals not a unified front but a highly fractured right-wing fringe, and the continuities between liberal establishment paranoia of recent years and the militia panic of the 90s. Jesse also makes the case that playful internet conspiracy theorizing is a continuation of the much older "ironic style" of paranoia that originated with figures like Kerry Thornley and Robert Anton Wilson in the 1960s. Finally, we critique Adam Curtis's treatment of all these themes in his new film "Can't Get You Out of My Head."

https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-united-states-of-paranoia-jesse-walker

https://reason.com/people/jesse-walker/

]]> Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God with Gio Pennachietti https://outsidertheory.fireside.fm/gangster-computer-god e1920fa1-905c-4963-ad03-b971532cfdcf Sun, 07 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0500 Geoff Shullenberger full Geoff Shullenberger On the life, work, and legacy of the schizopolitical pamphleteer and og shitposter Francis E. Dec, in conversation with artist and writer Gio Pennachietti. 1:33:38 no Francis E. Dec (1926-1996) was a disbarred lawyer who wrote and circulated a series of pamphlets detailing the world's subjugation by the Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God. He was largely ignored for much of his life, but his writings eventually gathered a cult following because of their unique depiction of a theme common both to late twentieth century science fiction and critical theory: the ubiquitous and subtle operation of technological control systems. Artist writer, and gonzo philsopher Gio Pennachietti joins Outsider Theory for a wide-ranging discussion of Dec's work and its connections to an array of other cultural phenomena from Dec's era and our own. We conclude with a brief and only tangentially related discussion of the art of the late Thomas Kinkade, another shared interest of ours. Follow Gio and read his writing: * Twitter: https://twitter.com/giantgio * Instragram: https://t.co/WNZfDA10zQ?amp=1 * YouTube: https://t.co/2vsKCsvFVO?amp=1 * https://gioscontentcorner.wordpress.com/ * https://terrorhousepress.com/product/ending-bigly/ Also related: * The Collected Rants of Francis E Dec (https://www.bentoandstarchky.com/dec/rants.htm) * Jeffrey Sconce, The Technical Delusion (https://www.dukeupress.edu/the-technical-delusion) * Geoff Shullenberger, We All Wear Tinfoil Hats Now (https://www.thenewatlantis.com/publications/we-all-wear-tinfoil-hats-now) Francis E Dec, schizopolitics, societies of control, Michel Foucault, Gilles Deleuze, Philip K Dick, Robert Crumb, Thomas Kinkade Francis E. Dec (1926-1996) was a disbarred lawyer who wrote and circulated a series of pamphlets detailing the world's subjugation by the Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God. He was largely ignored for much of his life, but his writings eventually gathered a cult following because of their unique depiction of a theme common both to late twentieth century science fiction and critical theory: the ubiquitous and subtle operation of technological control systems. Artist writer, and gonzo philsopher Gio Pennachietti joins Outsider Theory for a wide-ranging discussion of Dec's work and its connections to an array of other cultural phenomena from Dec's era and our own. We conclude with a brief and only tangentially related discussion of the art of the late Thomas Kinkade, another shared interest of ours.

Follow Gio and read his writing:

Also related:

]]> Francis E. Dec (1926-1996) was a disbarred lawyer who wrote and circulated a series of pamphlets detailing the world's subjugation by the Worldwide Communist Gangster Computer God. He was largely ignored for much of his life, but his writings eventually gathered a cult following because of their unique depiction of a theme common both to late twentieth century science fiction and critical theory: the ubiquitous and subtle operation of technological control systems. Artist writer, and gonzo philsopher Gio Pennachietti joins Outsider Theory for a wide-ranging discussion of Dec's work and its connections to an array of other cultural phenomena from Dec's era and our own. We conclude with a brief and only tangentially related discussion of the art of the late Thomas Kinkade, another shared interest of ours.

Follow Gio and read his writing:

Also related:

]]> The Reactionary Counterculture with Angela Nagle https://outsidertheory.fireside.fm/nagle c9e9524b-4c81-43b4-ba7e-33221a70faa3 Sun, 31 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0500 Geoff Shullenberger full Geoff Shullenberger Angela Nagle on countercultural values on the right, the shifting tech consensus, and the institutional capture of the left. 1:28:00 no For the inaugural episode of the Outsider Theory podcast, I speak to Angela Nagle, author of Kill All Normies, about the Capitol riot and what it reveals about the right-wing embrace of transgression and subversion; the shift in the liberal consensus from celebratory views of technology to more censorious attitudes; and the ongoing weaponization of the left's countercultural energies by the neoliberal center. Links: Angela Nagle, Kill All Normies (https://www.johnhuntpublishing.com/zer0-books/our-books/kill-all-normies) Geoff Shullenberger, "Theorycels in Trumpworld (https://outsidertheory.com/theorycels-in-trumpworld/)" Geoff Shullenberger, "Goodbye Trump, our carnival king (https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/goodbye-trump-our-carnival-king)" Angela Nagle, capitol riot, counterculture, transgression, subversion For the inaugural episode of the Outsider Theory podcast, I speak to Angela Nagle, author of Kill All Normies, about the Capitol riot and what it reveals about the right-wing embrace of transgression and subversion; the shift in the liberal consensus from celebratory views of technology to more censorious attitudes; and the ongoing weaponization of the left's countercultural energies by the neoliberal center. Links:

Angela Nagle, Kill All Normies

Geoff Shullenberger, "Theorycels in Trumpworld"

Geoff Shullenberger, "Goodbye Trump, our carnival king"

]]> For the inaugural episode of the Outsider Theory podcast, I speak to Angela Nagle, author of Kill All Normies, about the Capitol riot and what it reveals about the right-wing embrace of transgression and subversion; the shift in the liberal consensus from celebratory views of technology to more censorious attitudes; and the ongoing weaponization of the left's countercultural energies by the neoliberal center. Links:

Angela Nagle, Kill All Normies

Geoff Shullenberger, "Theorycels in Trumpworld"

Geoff Shullenberger, "Goodbye Trump, our carnival king"

]]>