In this episode of So I Was Told, we rip the mask off fascism. Not the cartoonish kind from history books, but the subtler, modern forms that worm their way into policy, media, and everyday culture. From the rise of white nationalist rhetoric in government to book bans disguised as “parental rights,” we explore how authoritarian tactics are being rebranded for a new generation. We’ll break down the characteristics of fascism, track its historical evolution, and highlight the chilling signs.

Umberto Eco – “Ur-Fascism” (1995)
Eco’s essay outlines 14 features of fascist ideology—many of which eerily apply today.Jason Wilson – “The rise of ‘cloud fascism’” (The Guardian, 2021)George Packer – “The Real Reason We’re Banning Books” (The Atlantic, 2023)