In this episode of Almost Above Average, we confront the alarming rise of martial law discourse in the United States and the growing involvement of the military in civil unrest. Christopher McIntyre and Jonathan Travis unpack the ethical and legal dilemmas of military deployments, the nation’s accelerating shift toward authoritarian governance, and the dangers of rampant disinformation campaigns. The conversation explores how AI is reshaping society—offering both promise and peril—and why health, politics, and public trust are now deeply intertwined. With democracy’s foundations growing ever more fragile, the hosts highlight the crucial role of historical awareness, the media’s power to shape narratives, and the urgent need for critical thinking and accountability in a polarized, rapidly changing world.