Why banning fringe users doesn't keep conspiracy theories off YouTube

Philip Kennicott envisions Notre Dame’s reconstruction. Abby Ohlheiser reports on the resurfacing of Internet conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. And Emily Yahr talks about the Backstreet Boys and their hit single “I Want It That Way.”

Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Loading...
The rebuilding of Notre Dame
The world mourned the loss of an iconic cultural landmark on Monday after a powerful blaze burned through the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. But structures like Notre Dame were always works in progress, according to Post art and architecture critic Philip Kennicott, and the reconstruction efforts could reflect just another chapter in the building’s 800-year history.

On Post Reports, Kennicott imagines the rebuilding of Notre Dame and what it could mean for the people of France.

More on this topic:

The return of Alex Jones
It’s hard to squash conspiracy theorists on the Internet, especially if they’re named Alex Jones.

Sites such as YouTube and Twitter banned Jones, a man infamous for spreading false theories that mass shootings such as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School never happened. But now Jones has made a comeback via one of social media’s most contentious millennial stars: Logan Paul. Abby Ohlheiser reports on why it’s so difficult to ban controversial figures from Internet platforms.

More on this topic:

Backstreet’s back
There’s another version of the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” that is just awful. Case in point: The opening lyrics, rather than the memorable “You are my fire, my one desire,” say: “I’m yours completely. I feel so deeply.” It just doesn’t work.

On the 20th anniversary of the song’s release, Style reporter Emily Yahr talks to songwriter Andreas Carlsson and tells the story behind this truly terrible rendition of “I Want It That Way.”

More on this topic:
Add to a podcast app
Listen to new episodes on your smartphone or other device.
Apple Podcasts
Spotify
Amazon Music
RSS
Get episode via email
Receive each new episode in your inbox.
Amazon Echo

Enable the Flash Briefing in the Amazon Skill store or search for "The Washington Post" in the Skill section of your Alexa app. Then ask, "Alexa, what's my Flash Briefing?" or "Alexa, what's the news?"

Google Home

Send Post Reports to your Google Assistant device or say, "Okay Google, play the news from Post Reports."

Why banning fringe users doesn't keep conspiracy theories off YouTube

Philip Kennicott envisions Notre Dame’s reconstruction. Abby Ohlheiser reports on the resurfacing of Internet conspiracy theorist Alex Jones. And Emily Yahr talks about the Backstreet Boys and their hit single “I Want It That Way.”

Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Loading...
The rebuilding of Notre Dame
The world mourned the loss of an iconic cultural landmark on Monday after a powerful blaze burned through the Notre Dame cathedral in Paris. But structures like Notre Dame were always works in progress, according to Post art and architecture critic Philip Kennicott, and the reconstruction efforts could reflect just another chapter in the building’s 800-year history.

On Post Reports, Kennicott imagines the rebuilding of Notre Dame and what it could mean for the people of France.

More on this topic:

The return of Alex Jones
It’s hard to squash conspiracy theorists on the Internet, especially if they’re named Alex Jones.

Sites such as YouTube and Twitter banned Jones, a man infamous for spreading false theories that mass shootings such as the one at Sandy Hook Elementary School never happened. But now Jones has made a comeback via one of social media’s most contentious millennial stars: Logan Paul. Abby Ohlheiser reports on why it’s so difficult to ban controversial figures from Internet platforms.

More on this topic:

Backstreet’s back
There’s another version of the Backstreet Boys’ “I Want It That Way” that is just awful. Case in point: The opening lyrics, rather than the memorable “You are my fire, my one desire,” say: “I’m yours completely. I feel so deeply.” It just doesn’t work.

On the 20th anniversary of the song’s release, Style reporter Emily Yahr talks to songwriter Andreas Carlsson and tells the story behind this truly terrible rendition of “I Want It That Way.”

More on this topic:
Previous Episode

Robert McCartney reflects on the massive fire at Paris’s historic Notre Dame Cathedral. Toluse Olorunnipa breaks down 2020 candidates’ campaign finance reports. And Matt Bonesteel mulls Tiger Woods’s “return to glory.”

Monday, April 15, 2019
Next Episode

Nick Miroff reports on the major shift in focus at the Department of Homeland Security. Carlos Lozada dissects the brain trust surrounding Trump, the anti-intellectual president. Plus Joe Fox and Lauren Tierney visit a shrinking national landmark.

Wednesday, April 17, 2019

More podcasts