Topic: Reddit

Greg and Jake discuss the "heartless" media coverage from outlets like AOL and The Daily Beast, which used Rob Skiba's death to mock the flat earth and anti-vaccination communities. They highlight the "Covidiot" subreddit as a hub for disparaging those who died after refusing COVID-19 shots. Jake notes the irony of Rob's death, as Rob had predicted in 2012 that vaccines would eventually be used as a "Mark of the Beast" system.

The host reflects on the sincerity of the Bledsoe family, noting the difficulty of maintaining a complex lie across multiple generations. He discusses the social implications of wealthy families seeking out Chris Bledsoe for healing when the traditional medical system fails. The host also mentions the prevalence of military patches featuring the Sphinx, which lends external weight to the family's specific prophetic claims.

The host reviews recent listener feedback regarding a Reddit-focused episode and announces that new closing songs are available for download on the show's website. A schedule of upcoming listener meetups is provided, including events in Washington, New Zealand, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, New Mexico, and the Netherlands. Listeners are encouraged to use HigherSideMeetups.com to coordinate local gatherings based on shared interests.

Guest Magnora7 returns to discuss the "dead internet theory" and the psychological shift from traditional news to chaotic internet narratives. The conversation introduces Magnora7's background as a Reddit alternative creator with setit.net and his previous research into the Rothschilds and high-profile conspiracy deaths. The discussion focuses on how bot accounts and engineered opinions steer public perception.

The discussion turns to Reddit's 2024 IPO and its $30 billion valuation despite the company historically failing to turn a profit. Magnora7 argues that Reddit has no incentive to remove bot or AI users because they inflate engagement metrics and advertising revenue. This "house of cards" model is compared to shifts in the podcasting industry where platforms like Apple and YouTube are changing metrics and revenue shares.

Magnora7 describes the "bootstrapping problem" of starting a new social media platform and how he used his existing Reddit following to launch setit.net. He reveals that Reddit's founders originally used bots and multiple moderator accounts to create the illusion of a thriving community in 2006. This practice of generating a "fake community" is presented as a foundational element of modern social platforms.

The life and tragic death of Reddit co-founder Aaron Swartz are detailed, focusing on his role in building Reddit's core infrastructure. The guest discusses Swartz's arrest for downloading scientific papers from MIT/JSTOR and the subsequent federal pressure that led to his alleged suicide. Magnora7 notes that setit.net is one of the few sites still using the open-source Reddit code that was closed off in 2015.

The guest discusses reports that Langley Air Force Base was once the primary source of Reddit's traffic, suggesting state-level interest in influencing public opinion. They also examine the "super-mod" phenomenon, where a small group of individuals controls hundreds of the most popular subreddits. This consolidation of power allows a few hands to funnel information and dictate what becomes "organic" content on the platform.

A deep dive into the theory that Ghislaine Maxwell operated the "MaxwellHill" Reddit account, one of the most influential in the site's history. The guest points out that the account stopped posting the exact day Maxwell was arrested and discusses her family's ties to publishing and intelligence. They speculate the account was used to flood the platform with unrelated content to bury unsavory news about her associates.

The guests provide an update on the Egress Industries mystery, a rabbit hole involving strange phone numbers found on "dream flyers." They reveal that the entity behind Egress eventually demanded they turn against fellow researcher Bob Hicks as a "loyalty test." After refusing to comply, the communication ceased, and the mysterious phone numbers were deactivated, leaving the selection process and the true nature of the organization unresolved.

Carlwood addresses the lack of a public comment section for free listeners, explaining that he prioritizes the feedback of paid Plus members due to the sheer volume of messages. He encourages free listeners to engage in community discussions on Facebook, Telegram, and Reddit, while noting that his personal time is limited by family responsibilities. He reiterates his support for Dan Zusoko's "Mythbusters-style" experimentation and encourages listeners to check out the Strange Stuff Experiment YouTube channel.

The host questions Ashton Forbes regarding his sparse digital footprint prior to his MH370 research, noting that his Twitter and Reddit accounts appear to have been wiped or dedicated solely to this topic. Forbes explains that he deleted his personal social media history in 2020 due to privacy concerns and a lack of trust in platforms like Reddit. He maintains that he is a regular person who previously used his accounts for gaming and normal social interaction before becoming a public figure in the MH370 community.

Greg Carlwood discusses a nine-year-old Reddit AMA conducted by Linda Brown under the username "Rittenhouse." In the AMA, Linda addresses questions about "breakaway civilizations" and her father's involvement with powerful men in the 1930s. She claims to have met the group her father worked with and asserts that they remained loyal to him throughout his life.

A new marketing experiment involves reallocating a $2,500 monthly ad budget directly to the audience through five $500 "money bomb" giveaways. Each individual prize is kept under the $600 IRS reporting threshold to simplify the process. In exchange for these rewards, listeners are encouraged to promote the show in high-yield locations like Reddit forums and paranormal message boards where potential new listeners seek recommendations. This strategy aims to bypass traditional agents by incentivizing organic word-of-mouth growth.

Greg Carlwood reviews the interview, noting that George Wiseman's previous appearance was one of the most popular episodes of the year. He shares organic reviews from Reddit where users praise the AC-50 for its build quality and health benefits for allergies. Carlwood reiterates the $500 discount available to listeners using the "HIGHERSIDE" coupon code and emphasizes the long-term value of the machine.

Nick Orton explains his choice of Instagram as the primary platform for Tales From The Grid Square, citing its ease of use compared to Twitter and Reddit. He expresses a strong dislike for Reddit moderation and mentions being banned from several subreddits. The account has grown to over 22,000 followers within a year, supported by established military meme communities.

The process of formally leaving the Mormon church requires a written request to have one's name removed from official records, a task many find difficult without legal assistance. Online communities, particularly on Reddit and Twitter under the "Exmo" tag, provide support and resources for those transitioning out of the faith. These groups help individuals deal with the church's history of exclusionary doctrines and alleged cover-ups of misconduct.

Greg Carlwood reflects on the cultural conditioning that glamorizes city life while portraying farming as a struggle for the poor. He cites a Reddit post suggesting that COVID-19 served as an excuse for elites to buy up small businesses and consolidate power. Listeners are encouraged to support independent producers like Sunrise Ranch to strengthen sustainable infrastructure and resist the "domestication trap" of corporate food.

Ross Ben defines "shadow work" as the practical effort to change one's relationship with technology, specifically by reducing dependency on cell phones. He suggests taking incremental breaks from social media and mobile devices to improve mental well-being. The host notes that online testimonials frequently highlight the happiness found by those who disconnect from platforms like Facebook and Instagram for extended periods.

Hinton addresses the closure of his subreddit, "pastSaturnsRings," citing toxicity, infighting, and paranoid accusations of CIA involvement. He expresses a preference for Twitter and discusses his upcoming podcast, "What If," which he is developing with a friend. The segment highlights the challenges of managing large online conspiracy communities and the need for more organized platforms for his research.