2 Worlds Collide into the Dunning–Kruger effect
Sam Bamford is an Australian Army Combat Veteran and former Paratrooper who deployed to Afghanistan (thank you for your service Sam!). He is a good looking guy, husband, and father, who speaks well, and has a growing online presence and audience.
His podcast, 2 Worlds Collide, and daily short videos discuss Australian (and global) politics and he generally interviews right wing Australians, politicians, footy stars, some friends, and ex-military mates.
He likes to talk about 'Bringing Back Common Sense' and seems to be inspired by other podcasters like Joe Rogan. He also ran from Melbourne to Adelaide to raise money for veterans and frontline workers (well done Sam!).
He has a good video and audio presence and I can see that he is likeable and that he will probably grow into a bigger and bigger personality over time.
But what is troubling is his uninformed takes on current affairs, where he boosts disinformation and misinformation. Like Rogan, he is a classic example of the Dunning-Kruger Effect where after only a very short time reading on a topic, he massively inflates his perceived understanding of that topic.
Slow down Sam. Do your research properly, do it with humility, and only then speak on these topics. Or bring actual, credible experts on to your show.
He gets a lot of replies on social media, like "100%", "spot on", "keep being you", "keep pushing the truth", "keep speaking up", "I'm learning everyday from you" etc. Of course he does. He has a good moan and whinge and provides simple solutions to complex problems. Who doesn't love that?
I don't. That's who.
Sam gets tangled up in loose facts, hearsay, and conspiracy theories about:
- green agendas and scams, and green billionaires
- government debt (Sam doesn't understand government deficits and thinks an economy is run like a household budget.)
- DEI (diversity, equity, and inclusion), toxic masculinity, and gender and sexuality
- globalists, "elites", the UN, the WEF, and foreign influence
- pronatalism, importing of voters, crime, and other immigration scares, and
- digital IDs, and government control etc.
Unfortunately, Sam appears to be spiralling down, deeper and deeper, into various rabbit holes as each day passes, vulnerable to confirmation biases, getting shouty and shouty-er. So it was not surprising when he announced that he would attend the March for Australia rally on 19 October 2025.
He also seems to have growing paranoia about his security after Charlie Kirk's death. He is very defensive about what he calls dehumanising language used by politicians which he says makes people like him, a target. Then he flexes to say he wears it as a badge of honour: racist, fascist, unhinged, cooker, crackpot etc. Sam, if someone calls you a racist or a fascist, its not a badge of honour, its time for at least a second of self reflection. Although he is happy to use dehumanising language himself (calling people roaches - see video below as one example).
But I don't actually want Sam to stop. I would like to see him shift from the dark side to be a force for good for Australia. He has time to pivot. He can still do his research in the morning, do his podcast, and have his afternoons with his family. He has so much energy and passion. He can influence a lot of young impressionable Australian men for the better.
There may be clicks and engagement, and therefore revenue, in right wing conspiracy theories and misinformation, but Sam, there is a deeper purpose for you if you can develop your research skills, and properly understand climate change, migration, and economics before speaking so soon. Don't fear academia. Try some formal study. Build worlds that don't collide. Make a better world for your children and mine.
Just like Darth Vader/Anakin Skywalker returned to the good at the end of Star Wars, Sam, you too can fulfil your destiny: not by bringing back what you call 'common sense' but by bringing back balance to the Force through greater empathy and credible research and analysis. What's your thoughts?
