From Robber Barons to Data Barons: America’s Oligarchic Legacy
About this episode
In this episode of Fortean Winds, Bones and RamX explore the deep historical roots of modern oligarchy in the United States, tracing a lineage from the landed elites of the Founding Era to today’s digital overlords.
How has control evolved—from physical monopolies on oil and railroads to invisible cages of data, media consolidation, and algorithmic manipulation? The hosts dissect how real autonomy is restricted not with chains, but with narratives, surveillance, and systemic leverage.
They also revisit Richard Thieme’s “Real Birds in Digital Cages” and dig into the implications of concentrated power on UAP secrecy, civil liberties, and even Peter Thiel’s bizarre apocalyptic theology. This isn’t conspiracy theory—it’s historical continuity backed by data and receipts.
Welcome to the cage. Can you see the bars yet?
Find the notes and data for this episode in the Appendix for this article:
https://forteanwinds.com/2025/08/27/unraveling-elite-influence-who-really-runs-the-world/
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