Mal Fuego feat. Mike Rothschild (E308)
LA is going through one of the most destructive natural disasters in its history. So naturally there is a lot of nonsense online about the secret purpose of the blazes. To discuss, we talk to journalist and climate refugee Mike Rothschild. The author of Jewish Space Lasers is one of many people who lost their homes to the Eaton fire. We chat about what it’s like to evacuate in order to escape a fast-spreading fire, climate change, and some of the more popular ways that online conspiracists are speculating about the causes of the conflagration.
Thanks for subscribing to QAA on patreon.
Editing by Corey Klotz. Theme by Nick Sena. Additional music by Pontus Berghe. Theme Vocals by THEY/LIVE (https://instagram.com/theyylivve / https://sptfy.com/QrDm). Cover Art by Pedro Correa: (https://pedrocorrea.com)
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https://themikerothschild.com/
Jewish Space Lasers: The Rothschild and 200 Years of Conspiracy Theories
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/733925/jewish-space-lasers-by-mike-rothschild/
The Storm Is Upon Us: How QAnon Became A Movement, Cult, and Conspiracy of Everything
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/676746/the-storm-is-upon-us-by-mike-rothschild/
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Sources
How Did the Los Angeles Wildfires Get So Out of Control
https://www.newyorker.com/news/q-and-a/how-did-the-los-angeles-fires-get-so-out-of-control
Southern California’s ‘rainy’ season is lacking one major thing
Hydroclimate volatility on a warming Earth
https://www.nature.com/articles/s43017-024-00624-z
What We Know About What Led to the L.A. Wildfires
https://www.factcheck.org/2025/01/what-we-know-about-what-led-to-the-l-a-wildfires/
This Is Where the Palisades Fire Started
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/13/us/palisades-fire-cause-ignition-point-site.html
Trump makes misguided accusations about California water management amid wildfires
Comments (47)
Vil Raga
OK, "(Re)Birth of a Nation" had me wheezing
I frequently pronounce cities in California with a Spanish accent .....😞
Mel Gibson needs to retire from life. Just live and keep to himself in a fucking hole.
"He who Smelt it, dealt it.. Many people are saying this." 👐
Liv Agar
Quayate Hake! Ke saves tu de ALTA deena ee los mejecanos.
On a serious note, glad you're all safe. I'm so sorry for your losses Mike. I've experienced similar losses but never to fire, I can't begin to imagine. My heart goes out to all the people in Cali right now <3
It was so nice to hear you boys laugh, especially Mike!! You guys made my day a little brighter. Every episode truly reminds me that I am not alone in this cold dark husk of a world (and getting colder and darker)! Love you guys
If I hadn't listened to the episode again, god knows how long I would've wandered this earth claiming to others that people in California totes have ear health problems where they're dry one day and wet the next and plz don't leave but they're connected to the fires somehow I'm not crazy! All from mishearing Travis say "wet years n dry years" lol
I am so thankful you are all safe. I live in Florida an area impacted by Helene and Milton and when I was hearing of all conspiracy online it really frustrated me. I luckily did not have damage other than my fence but know people who are still dealing with the two storms. These people rush to social media to spread lies.
Can we not with the speculation about someone being labeled with schizophrenia? It obfuscates the effects that conspiracy theories have on people's belief systems, and perpetuates harmful narratives about Madness. We need to focus on the fact that the majority of conspiracy theorists are non-Mad people, and in fact conspiracies play into cognitive biases we all are susceptible to.
Many people who believe conspiracies could probably be clinically diagnosed. Most people just don’t seek help for their delusions. Especially men and especially since the introduction of social media, terminal online-ness, and insane right wing lunatics spewing this rhetoric that is readily absorbed. I don’t assume they’re using schizophrenic as a dig at the illness but as a way to describe the delusions and breaks from reality that are clearly evident in people’s ideology.
Just woke up my bf cackling at “okayyyy someone hasn’t heard of the Jewish Space Winds”
Having intrusive thoughts about Áltàdẽnå
Surprisingly, given the circumstances, this episode was a joyous listen. Bravo, boys. Jake, Julien, Travis and Mike is a classic and delicious combo.
Sense of home and belonging is so messed up for so many people. Destroyed home, sense of safety, personal belongings, neighbourhood, neighbours...
Jake Rockatansky
okay, "juegos olimpicooooos" just made me guffaw super loud in a doctor's waiting room and I DO NOT appreciate that 😂 (liv agar)
“Travis is becoming a discordian” 😭😭😭 heart goes out to Mike on his family’s loss 💔
Jake tells the same pointless trash can story in two consecutive episodes and not a word from Julian. Wtf is going on around here? Also…LIV AGAR
Choosing to believe Julian is doing an experiment to see how many times he'll keep doing it
I listened to this episode driving home early from work to get pets and house ready in case of evacuation from the Hughes fire in Castaic. I’m safe for now but it’s right upwind from me. Stay safe out there everyone!
Jake is pretty close with his recollection of Grover Cleveland: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frances_Cleveland
Maui resident here. I’m so sorry and sad for everything your community is about to endure. We’re with you. We’re still in it.
Anyone remember which episode went more in depth on the Getty "tunnels"? Would love to re-listen
Episode 111: California Mole Children feat. Dave Anthony
Var Liga forever!
You might be onto something with the hair thing, Jake. Maybe something about the cooking of the brain provides extra nutrients to the hair of conspiracists
Liv Agar
What's bad for the country is good for the podcast. That infamous photo of musk looking at the sky surrounded by his cronies was chilling
The different theories I am seeing: THEORY 1: Incompetence of not raking the floor and trimming brushes, like that would help with 100mph winds, but seems to be the normie fox news take. Dems bad at fire maintenance. THEORY 2: agent provocateurs sent into the hills to start fires with blow torches so California deep state can buy the land for cheap. Theory 3: Directed energy weapons that don't effect blue roofs.
Rebirth Of A Nation jfw XD
Mike 🙏🏻
Best to Mike and his family 😿
This probably isn't the best place to ask this question, but I'm not sure where else to ask. Someone here must know the answer though. I found a guy w/a PhD in cognitive psychology (?) who has published a slew of papers about pseudoscientific thinking, conspiracies, superstitions and their connections to xenophobic inclinations as well as some of the reasons for this type of thinking from the angle of social cognition. I tried to find Travis on BlueSky, but I couldn't (maybe b/c I don't have an account?) Anyway, if anyone knows how to get some info. to him (or any of them, the general email seems useless), I would appreciate it.
Looks like there’s an email link on the website (QAA website is linked in the episode description) and it appears they have a discord as well. Best possible options. Good luck.
Liv Agar
Take lots of pictures when you get there mike. My brothers place burned down in 06 and it was devastation. Best of luck
I highly suggest ‘Episode 356 - The Resnicks: Water Monsters’ from The Dollop! They re-released it last week.
I've had to evacuate three times because of wildfires. The biggest lessons I've learned are: 1. I keep my car fueled up. 2. Evacuate BEFORE it becomes mandatory. Bugout before everyone else because: A. The roads become gridlocked fast. B. Hotel rooms fill up fast, so you endup sleeping in your car. 3. If I can't evacuate early, I shelter in place, or find a place to shelter close to home. Example= I've found several large parking lots close by my city home to shelter in during a wild fire AS A LAST RESORT.
My uncle had to evac the CO fires and stressed #2 in my family (many in LA) group chat.
Mike! Love ur books!
Liv agar
Welcome back Mike; sorry about your house hombre. I hope things turn around quickly for you.
Mike!
Liv Agar