Exploring the crossroads of politics, culture, and society
Welcome to Notes From Plague Island, the podcast companion to our blog exploring the tangled intersections of politics, culture, and history from the UK and bey...
(Audio) The Comfort of Illusion: Hypernormalisation in Modern British Politics
As we enter 2025, the UK political landscape bears an uncanny resemblance to the paradoxical situation described by Russian historian Alexei Yurchak in his seminal work ‘Everything Was Forever, Until It Was No More: The Last Soviet Generation’ (2005). Yurchak coined the term ‘hypernormalisation’ to describe the final years of the Soviet Union, where everyone knew the system was failing, but because no one could imagine any alternative, politicians and citizens alike went along with maintaining the pretence that everything was functioning normally.This concept gained wider recognition through the acclaimed British documentary filmmaker, Adam Curtis’ 2016 documentary ‘HyperNormalisation,’ which applied Yurchak's framework to contemporary Western societies. This article explores how the UK has become ‘hypernormalised’ in the aftermath of two seismic events: the 2008 global financial crisis and the 2016 Brexit referendum.References:Better Markets (2017) The Cost of the Crisis: $20 Trillion and Counting. Washington, DC: Better Markets.Chomsky, N. (2009) 'Crisis and Hope: Theirs and Ours', Boston Review, 34(5).Curtis, A. (2016) HyperNormalisation. [Film] BBC.Electoral Commission (2025) Voter Engagement in the UK: Annual Report. London: The Electoral Commission.LSE (2024) 'Austerity in the UK: The Health Consequences', London School of Economics and Political Science, 15 March.Yurchak, A. (2005) Everything Was Forever, Until It Was No More: The Last Soviet Generation. Princeton: Princeton University Press. Get full access to Notes From Plague Island at www.plagueisland.com/subscribe
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15:21
(Audio) The Musk Effect: Polarization and the Future of UK Politics
‘The UK is becoming a tyrannical police state,’ Elon Musk declared in a recent tweet (Musk, 2024), igniting a firestorm of outrage and plunging himself into the heart of British political discourse. Musk’s remarks about grooming gangs, his inflammatory accusations against Labour MP Jess Phillips, and his critiques of Prime Minister Keir Starmer have forced UK politics into the global spotlight.This article unpacks the implications of Musk’s provocative engagement: from his amplification of controversial narratives to his alignment with far-right figures like Tommy Robinson, and the broader questions it raises about billionaire influence on democratic systems. It also scrutinizes Starmer’s silence in the face of Musk’s rhetoric, questioning what this means for Labour, public trust, and the UK's political future.ReferencesApple News (2025) ‘Musk’s remarks spark debate in UK politics,’ Apple News, January. Available at: https://apple.news/AQbt4gEE3TkmCc4GzkWlumg (Accessed: 4 January 2025).Elgot, J. (2024) ‘Elon Musk calls for release of Tommy Robinson from prison,’ The Guardian, 2 January. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/elon-musk-tommy-robinson (Accessed: 4 January 2025).BBC News (2025) ‘Musk’s comments spark controversy in UK politics,’ BBC News, 3 January. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cd9x3d4v7jdo (Accessed: 4 January 2025).BBC News (2025) ‘Musk's grooming gangs attack on Phillips 'disgraceful smear,' says Streeting,’ BBC News, 5 January. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c23vdp4y1p0o (Accessed: 5 January 2025).Sky News (2025) ‘Controversies surrounding grooming gangs,’ Sky News, 4 January. Available at: https://www.skynews.com/grooming-gangs (Accessed: 4 January 2025).Yahoo News (2025) ‘Farage stokes controversy over riots,’ Yahoo News, 5 January. Available at: https://www.yahoo.com/news/farage-riots-controversy (Accessed: 4 January 2025).Australian Government (2025) ‘Social media platform regulation: Lessons from global implementation.’ Available at: https://www.australia.gov.au/social-media-regulation(Accessed: 4 January 2025).BBC News (2025) ‘Elon Musk says Reform UK needs a new leader, criticizes Nigel Farage,’ BBC News, January. Available at: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/reform-uk-leadership (Accessed: 5 January 2025). Get full access to Notes From Plague Island at www.plagueisland.com/subscribe
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12:23
(Audio) Farage’s Historical Revisionism: Myth-Making in Modern Politics
Nigel Farage’s New Year message, delivered from historic Blenheim Palace, represents more than just a political rallying cry. It exemplifies a growing trend among populist and authoritarian figures to manipulate history for self-serving agendas. Farage’s invocation of a simplified and sanitized past highlights how history can be reframed as a tool for myth-making rather than a source of shared understanding. This article explores the dangerous implications of Farage’s approach and its parallels with other global leaders who rewrite history to consolidate power and ideology. Get full access to Notes From Plague Island at www.plagueisland.com/subscribe
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12:07
(Audio) Robert F. Kennedy Jr.: Conspiracy, Controversy, and the Future of Public Health in America
As Donald Trump prepares to begin his second term as President of the United States, his cabinet appointments are making headlines for their audacity and controversial implications. Among them, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. stands out as the presumptive nominee for Secretary of Health and Human Services. Kennedy Jr.’s career, which began in environmental advocacy, has evolved into a platform for anti-vaccine disinformation, conspiracy theories, and pseudoscience. This shift has made him a polarizing figure and raises urgent questions about how his leadership could shape the future of public health.Kennedy Jr.’s name alone has opened doors in American politics. The Kennedy family legacy, synonymous with public service and progressive ideals, initially gave him a platform of credibility. However, as his rhetoric and views diverged into pseudoscience and conspiracy theories, prominent family members moved swiftly to distance themselves. His sister Kathleen Kennedy Townsend, his brother Joseph P. Kennedy II, and his niece Maeve Kennedy McKean have publicly rebuked his anti-vaccine activism, labelling it part of a ‘misinformation campaign that’s having heartbreaking – and deadly – consequences’ (Politico, 2019). Kennedy Jr.’s controversial views represent a profound departure from their legacy. Get full access to Notes From Plague Island at www.plagueisland.com/subscribe
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16:22
(Audio) The New MAGA Civil War: How H-1B Visas Are Splitting Trump's Coalition
As Donald Trump prepares to return to the White House for his second term, a storm that has been brewing within his base threatens to become a full-blown tempest. The MAGA movement, once a unified force that propelled Trump back to power in the 2024 election, now finds itself deeply divided over an issue that cuts to the heart of America's economic future and cultural identity: the H-1B visa program. With just weeks to go before his inauguration, this rift exposes the delicate balancing act Trump must perform as he seeks to reconcile the competing visions within his coalition, and points to significant implications for the future of Trumpism itself.The battle lines are drawn between two unlikely factions: Silicon Valley tech moguls and MAGA hardliners. On one side, billionaire entrepreneurs like Elon Musk and Vivek Ramaswamy argue passionately for skilled immigration, viewing it as essential for American innovation. On the other, figures such as Laura Loomer and Steve Bannon decry the H-1B program as a threat to American workers and cultural identity. The ensuing debate has escalated into a full-blown ideological war, with personal attacks and inflammatory rhetoric flying from both camps. Get full access to Notes From Plague Island at www.plagueisland.com/subscribe
Welcome to Notes From Plague Island, the podcast companion to our blog exploring the tangled intersections of politics, culture, and history from the UK and beyond. From the aftershocks of Brexit to the rise of populism, from the erosion of democracy to the cultural moments shaping our world, we bring sharp analysis and fresh perspectives rooted in critical theory and lived experience.
Join us, your hosts, L&A, as we unpack the stories behind the headlines, challenge conventional narratives, and navigate the complex terrain of our increasingly polarized world. Notes From Plague Island invites you to reflect, question, and connect.
Whether you’re a political junkie, a history enthusiast, or someone grappling with today’s cultural and societal challenges, this podcast is your guide through the storm. Welcome to the island. Let’s make sense of it together. www.plagueisland.com