Ep. 44: Mike Benz - The (Deep) State of Global Censorship

My guest today is Mike Benz, a free speech & censorship expert, the Executive Director of Foundation for Freedom Online, a nonprofit watchdog dedicated to protecting digital liberties and restoring the free and open Internet. Benz was in charge of the cyber portfolio for the US State Department during the Trump administration, where he served as the Deputy Assistant Secretary for International Communications and Information Technology. That role included formulating and negotiating US policy on Internet diplomacy issues as well as interfacing with private industry and civil society in the Big Tech space. Prior to that, Benz served as a White House speechwriter for President Trump and advised on technology policy. 

In this conversation, we discuss censorship & free speech, U.S. foreign policy including Israel’s role. We dive into the censorship industrial complex, the mechanics behind censorship tactics, and the implications for free speech in the digital age. We also touch on the intersection of technology and free speech, particularly in relation to Bitcoin & Nostr, and end on a message of hope for a future of freedom and digital liberties.

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-- CHAPTERS –

00:00 Coming Up...

01:16 Intro & Background on Mike

03:31 True Purpose of the Middle East War

08:14 Self-Custody with Trezor (Ad Break)

08:44 Current US Administration Pushing for an Israeli Regime Change?

13:23 The Censorship Industrial Complex: Controlling the Flow of Information

15:47 Netanyahu, Soros, Gas & Poland

19:29 Oct. 7th - Speculations

23:55 Speaking To American Interests

28:50 Prolonging The Middle East War

32:44 "Whole of Society" Defining Censorship & Free Speech

36:25 Sticks & Carrots: The Relationship Between Big Government & Big Corporations

42:28 Whole of Society in Action

50:00 The Redefinition of Democracy: Consensus of Institutions vs. Individuals

55:57 Unveiling Authoritarian Structures & Fight for Freedom

1:00:53 Centralized vs. Decentralized Tech & Freedom of Speech

1:04:51 Nostr & Freedom Tech

1:08:26 Stablecoins Impact on USD, US Global Dominance & Bitcoin

1:16:38 Pro-Freedom vs. Pro-Decentralization (& Nostr & Jack Dorsey)

1:19:25 Mike's Talk at the Bitcoin 2024 Conference

1:23:58 Closing Message: We're Winning