2 weeks ago
Dark Net Expert Explains What The Internet Is Doing To Us | Jamie Bartlett
In this episode of Jimmy’s Jobs of the Future, Jimmy interviews Jamie Bartlett about his unconventional career spanning technology writing, policy work, and narrative podcasting.
Bartlett describes becoming an early expert on internet subcultures, researching groups from the EDL to online forums, and learning investigative techniques like using Facebook ads to reach communities.
He explains why he tries to stay politically neutral to maintain trust across audiences, and discusses how social media incentives reward emotion, distort perceptions of public opinion, and turn politics into “clip farming,” while long-form podcasts can restore deeper listening.
Bartlett shares the ingredients of successful limited-series podcasts and recounts major BBC projects including The Missing Cryptoqueen, Believe in Magic, and A Very British Cult, emphasizing victims’ perspectives, storytelling structure, and timing in journalism.
00:00 Intro
01:55 Guest Bio
02:38 Finding a Career Path
03:41 Internet Subcultures Obsession
06:05 Old School Publishing Dreams
06:52 Early Jobs and Drive
07:34 Demos and EDL Research
09:16 Getting Access and Trust
11:23 Journalism Identity Debate
12:44 Algorithms Reward Emotion
14:15 Staying Politically Neutral
18:09 Politics as Clip Culture
19:41 Social Media Perception Warp
20:56 Echo Chambers Myth
21:46 Podcasts and Attention Spans
22:08 Addicted to Crisis
22:28 Long Form Podcast Revival
23:40 Podcast Craft and Hit Series
25:28 Building a Great Narrative
28:42 Finding Stories in Real Life
32:06 Inside a Very British Cult
34:01 Status Belonging and Tribes
40:06 Timing and Cultural Cut Through
43:30 AI Jobs Debate Next
44:42 Break and Wrap Up
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Credits:
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"Jamie Bartlett | Internet Subcultures & the Social Media Rage Machine"
Jimmy's Jobs of the Future @jimmysjobs.bsky.social
31 Mar 2026 [0:44:24]
#AVeryBritishCult #Cult
https://s.cultpodcasts.com/-pqvnmT1fUKvNO4kuA9ACw
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