ByGANDHINAGAR: Benjamen Walker’s “Theory of Everything” podcast stands out for its unique blend of intellectual curiosity, humor, and audacious exploration. His latest project, the nine-episode miniseries “Not All Propaganda Is Art,” delves into the depths of the Cold War cultural battleground.
Drawing inspiration from a pandemic-induced period of isolation on a French island, Walker weaves a narrative that transports listeners back to the mid-20th century where leftist intellectuals, the CIA, mass culture, and post-colonial anxieties intertwine. The series kicks off with a thought-provoking twist – the 1956 film adaptation of Orwell’s “1984” was allegedly “secretly made by the CIA” (a simplification, acknowledges Walker).
Walker unpacks the complexities of the cultural Cold War through the lens of three prominent writers: Dwight Macdonald (an American essayist), Kenneth Tynan (a British theatre critic), and Richard Wright (an American novelist). Their lives become entangled with the Congress for Cultural Freedom (CCF), a seemingly independent organization promoting anti-Communism, secretly funded by the CIA.
The narrative delves into the ironies of this covert operation. Macdonald, a vocal critic of Stalinism and totalitarianism, ends up working for the CIA unknowingly. Tynan, known for his passionate advocacy for political engagement in art, finds himself influenced by Brechtian Marxism, albeit in a lighthearted “champagne socialist” way. Wright, an anti-Communist with a complex relationship with the US (having fled racism), grapples with his literary rival James Baldwin while participating in CCF projects.
Walker masterfully paints a picture of 1956, a pivotal year for each of these writers. Encounter, a London magazine funded by the CCF, becomes a point of convergence. Wright, then a literary giant, warns the US government about potential Communist influence at a pan-African conference in Paris. Meanwhile, Tynan ignites a cultural firestorm with his scathing review of “Look Back in Anger,” fueling the Angry Young Man movement in Britain.
The series exposes the absurdity of the CIA’s cultural influence campaign. Macdonald, hired to champion American ideals, ends up critiquing mass culture and its detrimental impact on high culture. His scathing critiques of American culture and the CCF ultimately lead to him being labeled a traitor.
Despite their unwitting involvement in a propaganda scheme, all three writers produced exceptional work during this period. Walker’s research shines through – from scouring archives in Europe and America to interviewing contemporaries and scholars. He unearths captivating audio clips, letters, and film footage, bringing the era to life.
“Not All Propaganda Is Art” is a refreshing departure from mainstream media productions. Hosted on the independent Radiotopia network, the podcast pulsates with Walker’s signature enthusiasm and meticulous research. While his narration can sometimes be ambitious to the point of being overwhelming, the podcast retains a distinct, independent charm.
Ultimately, Walker’s work serves as a potent reminder of the enduring legacy of the Cold War cultural battleground, an era that, according to him, “built the world we live in today.” It’s a call to action for listeners to delve deeper into the complexities of the past and their influence on the present.
