In this episode, we explore how language functions as both a cure and a poison, shaping perception, markets, and power. From Trump’s political rhetoric to Elon Musk’s meme coin experiments, we examine how words—spoken, written, or tweeted—can move financial markets, spark mass hysteria, and redefine reality.

We also dig into the philosophical roots of this phenomenon:

• How Plato and Derrida warned about the dangers of disembodied words.
• Why reading and listening are not the same—and how the medium alters meaning.
• Whether audiobooks reanimate text into a ghostly presence or a form of control.
• How language, like cryptocurrency, can be inflated, devalued, or weaponized.

In a world where words have market value, what happens when their meaning becomes unstable?

🚀 Tune in to explore the intersection of language, influence, and the economics of speech.

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Tangled is a weekly podcast created by author Jack Lively. Short of founding a new party for politically homeless liberals, I’m recording deeply researched podcasts that dive at unexpected angles into timely issues. I also sometimes talk about writing.

Join me here and get in touch to say hello. It’s lonely out there but you’re not alone.

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Jack Lively writes at https://jacklively.substack.com/