Timcast IRL · April 16, 2021 · 2h 0m

Timcast IRL #266 - James O'Keefe BANNED On Twitter, Will SUE w/Wikipedia Ex-Founder Larry Sanger

free-speechtech-censorshipbig-techmediasocial-media

Episode Recap

Timcast IRL episode 266 covered the permanent suspension of James O'Keefe from Twitter and his subsequent announcement that he would be suing the platform for defamation. Tim Pool opened the show discussing how Twitter claimed O'Keefe was operating fake accounts, which O'Keefe denied and is now contesting in court. The discussion also touched on Project Veritas' recent legal victory against the New York Times, where a judge ruled that the newspaper should inform readers when injecting opinion into fact-based news. The episode featured a timely conversation with Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, who discussed his evolution from creating the platform to becoming one of its leading critics. Sanger revealed he now runs the Knowledge Standards Foundation and addressed concerns about how Wikipedia operates and manipulates information. Co-host Ian Crossland, co-founder of Minds.com, provided additional perspective on big tech censorship and platform manipulation. The show also included standard membership promotions and celebration of reaching one million subscribers.

TL;DR

  • →Twitter permanently banned James O'Keefe claiming he operated fake accounts; O'Keefe announced plans to sue for defamation, filing the complaint the following Monday
  • →Project Veritas achieved a legal victory against the New York Times when a judge ruled the paper should inform readers when injecting opinion into fact-based journalism
  • →Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger appeared as a guest, discussing how he went from creating the platform to becoming one of its leading critics and now runs the Knowledge Standards Foundation
  • →Tim Pool expressed respect for James O'Keefe's willingness to actually sue Twitter rather than just complaining about the ban like other prominent figures who have been deplatformed
  • →The show explored the overlap between Wikipedia's information manipulation, big tech company censorship, and how fake news spreads across platforms
  • →Ian Crossland provided context on platform manipulation and censorship from the perspective of an alternative platform founder

Key Moments

  • 0:00
    Opening
    Tim Pool introduces the James O'Keefe Twitter ban story and discusses the significance of his decision to sue for defamation
  • 30:00
    Project Veritas Legal Victory
    Discussion of Veritas's recent court win against the New York Times and the judge's ruling on opinion versus fact-based journalism
  • 40:00
    Larry Sanger Introduction
    Wikipedia co-founder Larry Sanger joins the show and provides background on his work and current projects
  • 60:00
    Wikipedia Criticism Deep Dive
    Tim and Larry discuss Wikipedia's current practices, information manipulation, and Sanger's evolution from creator to critic
  • 90:00
    Platform Censorship Discussion
    Ian Crossland provides perspective on big tech censorship from the Minds.com perspective
  • 120:00
    Closing
    Tim promotes membership, celebrates one million subscribers, and wraps the show

Notable Quotes

“They finally got him. James O'Keefe, they got him. He's banned off Twitter. He's still on Instagram. But Twitter has permanently banned James O'Keefe.”

— Tim Pool · opening the show with breaking news

“I think James is doing the right thing here. He's announced he's going to be suing Twitter for defamation. And I wonder why no one's done this before.”

— Tim Pool · supporting O'Keefe's decision to sue

“My claim to fame or infamy is starting Wikipedia. I've worked on a long series of nonprofit and educational projects, and now I am the president of the Knowledge Standards Foundation.”

— Larry Sanger · guest introduction

“Section 230 may have protected them before, but it will not protect them from me. The complaint will be filed Monday.”

— Tim Pool · quoting O'Keefe's statement about suing Twitter

“I'm also one of Wikipedia's leading critics now. I'm not happy with how it's gone. The reason I say it's interesting timing is that there's an overlap in the space of how Wikipedia operates, how fake news manipulates information, how big tech companies are banning people.”

— Larry Sanger · explaining the relevance of his appearance

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