Timcast IRL · August 26, 2022 · 2h 0m
Timcast IRL #602 - FB Censored Hunter Laptop Story After FBI Warning w/ PodiumGuy Adam Johnson & GPrime85
Featuring: PodiumGuy Adam Johnson, GPrime85
Episode Recap
Timcast IRL Episode 602 from August 26, 2022 opened with breaking news about Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg allegedly admitting on Joe Rogan's show that Facebook censored the Hunter Biden laptop story based on a general request from the FBI. Tim Pool discussed how this admission would be added as evidence to an existing lawsuit led by Missouri and other plaintiffs arguing that Section 230 violates the First Amendment by giving broad censorship authority to tech platforms with government-directed coordination. The hosts also discussed Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene being swatted again for the second time, addressing misconceptions about what swatting actually means. The show featured special guest Adam Johnson, known as PodiumGuy, who gained internet fame after being photographed during January 6th while carrying a lectern. Johnson explained his experience that day and how the viral photo led to him being memed extensively, with people initially misreading the Getty caption as his name. Co-hosts Ian Crossland and George Alexopoulos (GPrime85) joined the discussion, which covered the implications of government-tech coordination on censorship, free speech concerns, and Johnson's personal story of being caught up in the events surrounding the Capitol breach.
TL;DR
- →Mark Zuckerberg admitted Facebook censored the Hunter Biden laptop story at the FBI's request, which Tim and guests discussed as evidence in an ongoing lawsuit against Section 230
- →Tim discussed Marjorie Taylor Greene being swatted again, clarifying what swatting means and how critics incorrectly claimed the SWAT team didn't show up
- →Guest Adam Johnson (PodiumGuy) explained how he became internet famous from a January 6th photo where he was captured carrying a lectern, which was misidentified as a podium
- →The panel debated First Amendment implications of government-directed censorship by big tech platforms under Section 230 protections
- →George Alexopoulos (GPrime85) joined as a guest and discussed his satirical work including viral memes
- →The show opened with a BetMGM Casino ad read, though the full episode continued for much longer beyond this excerpt
Key Moments
- 0:00Opening and Breaking NewsTim opens the show discussing Marjorie Taylor Greene's second swatting incident, then breaks news about Mark Zuckerberg's admission that Facebook censored the Hunter Biden laptop story at FBI's request
- 1:23Zuckerberg Censorship DiscussionTim explains the lawsuit context, noting this admission will be added as evidence in the Missouri-led case against Section 230 and government-directed censorship
- 2:46Guest IntroductionTim introduces Adam Johnson (PodiumGuy), explaining he gained fame from a viral January 6th photo where he was carrying a lectern
- 3:39Adam Johnson's StoryJohnson explains the January 6th photo, his experience that day, and how it became a viral meme with people misreading the Getty attribution as his name
- 5:25Panel DiscussionGeorge Alexopoulos (GPrime85) joins the conversation, discussing his satirical work and internet presence
- 6:10Continued DiscussionThe panel continues discussing Zuckerberg's admission and broader implications, though the transcript excerpt ends here
Notable Quotes
“We heard from Marjorie Taylor Greene. She got swatted again. And it's weird because a lot of the people who don't like her are exaggerating the claims, saying, oh, the SWAT team didn't show up. That's not what swatting is. Swatting is when you try to get the SWAT team to show up.”
— Tim Pool · opening segment about Marjorie Taylor Greene swatting incident
“Mark Zuckerberg said they censored the Hunter Biden laptop story at the request of the FBI. There is currently a lawsuit against the government, the US government, Democrats, and it is led by, there's a bunch of plaintiffs, including the state of Missouri, arguing that Section 230 is a violation of the First Amendment because it gives broad censorship authority to these platforms.”
— Tim Pool · breaking news about Facebook censorship
“I have a nickname because there was a picture taken of me during January 6th that became viral, became memed quite a bit. And they named me that because they didn't know my name yet. Via Getty, you mean? Via Getty. Well, Via Getty did take my photo. There was a lot of confusion. People thought that I was Via Getty because they read the caption underneath it, Via Getty.”
— PodiumGuy Adam Johnson · explaining how he got the PodiumGuy nickname
“That's absolutely crazy. So we're gonna be talking about that. Obviously, you know, civil war is a bit of a big subject these days, particularly here. So everybody take your drink, I guess. That's the name of the game. And we got a lot to talk about.”
— Tim Pool · setting up the show's direction after the breaking news
“Happy to be real. It's true. The money you send me is real, and that's all I care about. That's right. Right on. We also got Ian. Hi, everybody. Ian Crossland here.”
— Ian Crossland · co-host introduction and banter
Mentioned
About the Guests
Adam Johnson, known as PodiumGuy or LecternGuy, is a stay-at-home father of five boys who gained internet fame after being photographed during January 6th carrying a lectern. His viral photo was widely memed and he was incorrectly identified as 'Via Getty' by those who misread the photo credit.
Guest on this episode of Timcast IRL.