What if the biggest threat to democracy isn’t politics—but information itself?

On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with journalist and author Jacob Siegel to unpack his new book The Information State: Politics in the Age of Total Control. Together, they explore how “disinformation” evolved from a Cold War concept into a dominant force in modern politics—and how it’s being used to shape public opinion at scale.

Siegel breaks down the rise of algorithmic power, the role of media narratives in shaping reality, and why AI could accelerate the shift away from individual sovereignty toward centralized information control. Drawing on his experience as a U.S. Army intelligence officer, he connects modern information warfare tactics to what we’re seeing today in America’s political and digital landscape.

They also discuss:
The origins and evolution of the “disinformation” narrative
How media, tech platforms, and algorithms influence what we believe
Why AI may make truth harder—not easier—to find
The long-term risks to democratic systems and individual freedom
A surprising prediction about how culture and technology may become more “medieval” in the coming years

Plus, Siegel shares personal insights on resilience, fatherhood, and how to stay grounded in an age of constant information overload.

What if the biggest threat to democracy isn&rsquo;t politics&mdash;but information itself?
On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with journalist and author Jacob Siegel to unpack his new book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Information-State-Politics-Total-Control/dp/1250363128">The Information State: Politics in the Age of Total Control. </a>Together, they explore how &ldquo;disinformation&rdquo; evolved from a Cold War concept into a dominant force in modern politics&mdash;and how it&rsquo;s being used to shape public opinion at scale.
Siegel breaks down the rise of algorithmic power, the role of media narratives in shaping reality, and why AI could accelerate the shift away from individual sovereignty toward centralized information control. Drawing on his experience as a U.S. Army intelligence officer, he connects modern information warfare tactics to what we&rsquo;re seeing today in America&rsquo;s political and digital landscape.
They also discuss:
<ul data-start="1093" data-end="1457">
<li data-section-id="6pzntz" data-start="1093" data-end="1156">The origins and evolution of the &ldquo;disinformation&rdquo; narrative</li>
<li data-section-id="16s783o" data-start="1157" data-end="1228">How media, tech platforms, and algorithms influence what we believe</li>
<li data-section-id="auz7xw" data-start="1229" data-end="1280">Why AI may make truth harder&mdash;not easier&mdash;to find</li>
<li data-section-id="q666l4" data-start="1281" data-end="1349">The long-term risks to democratic systems and individual freedom</li>
<li data-section-id="1bfh6wm" data-start="1350" data-end="1457">A surprising prediction about how culture and technology may become more &ldquo;medieval&rdquo; in the coming years</li>
</ul>
Plus, Siegel shares personal insights on resilience, fatherhood, and how to stay grounded in an age of constant information overload.

Hosted by New York Post and Fox News columnist, and co-author of the best-selling book, “Stolen Youth,” The Karol Markowicz Podcast expands on the topics that drove Karol’s most popular columns and conversations, namely, the cultural and social issues that affect us all. What's marriage really like? Why are we lied to about what it's like to have children? What does it mean to succeed in your career? In each episode, Markowicz aims to find real answers to the deep questions that really matter, while taking listener questions and welcoming some of the biggest names in news, politics and entertainment for candid conversations. Get ready to lean in and listen! Subscribe now to The Karol Markowicz Show - new episodes post every Wednesday and Friday on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

Hosted by New York Post and Fox News columnist, and co-author of the best-selling book, &ldquo;Stolen Youth,&rdquo; The Karol Markowicz Podcast expands on the topics that drove Karol&rsquo;s most popular columns and conversations, namely, the cultural and social issues that affect us all. What's marriage really like? Why are we lied to about what it's like to have children? What does it mean to succeed in your career? In each episode, Markowicz aims to find real answers to the deep questions that really matter, while taking listener questions and welcoming some of the biggest names in news, politics and entertainment for candid conversations. Get ready to lean in and listen! Subscribe now to The Karol Markowicz Show - new episodes post every Wednesday and Friday on the iHeartRadio App, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

The Karol Markowicz Show

On this episode of The Karol Markowicz Show, Karol sits down with journalist and author Jacob Siegel to unpack his new book The Information State: Politics in the Age of Total Control. Together, they explore how “disinformation” evolved from a Cold War concept into a dominant force in modern politics—and how it’s being used to shape public opinion at scale.

The Karol Markowicz Show: The Information State: How AI, Disinformation & Algorithms Are Reshaping Power

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/1751b5cb-026e-4abf-b9f2-b418014a7642/transcript