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.

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