Can our society's tribalistic tendencies be cultivating hidden dangers within our communities, unnoticed and unchecked? This critical issue was the central theme of a recent episode of "Hidden Killers," a podcast known for diving deep into the murky waters of criminal behavior and societal ills. Tony Brueski, the host, engaged with retired FBI Special Agent and Chief of the Counterintelligence Behavioral Analysis Program, Robin Dreeke, in a thought-provoking discussion that shed light on the evolving landscape of community behavior and the role of local media as a watchdog.
 
 The conversation began with an examination of whether there has been an increase in what Brueski refers to as "cabal type behavior" — small, tight-knit groups fostering a particular mindset or behavior that could potentially corrupt systems from within. Dreeke noted the rise of such behavior might not be as critical as the increase in media outlets that expose them. “Shows like this that highlight these things,” Dreeke observed, “are part of what is great about our country; free press allows us to dig deep in areas that we think there's not things going right.”
 
 However, the discussion took a turn when Brueski pointed out a disturbing trend: the disappearance of local media outlets, which traditionally played a significant role in holding local systems accountable. He emphasized that, unlike in the past when local media constantly monitored local affairs, now it seems “we only really hear about it when it gets out of control.”
 
 Dreeke concurred, articulating the profound impact of the decline in local journalism: “Those smaller media outlets are evaporating... and it's those smaller media outlets that have held our local politicians and our systems accountable for their behavior because that's what they're there for.”
 
 The two pondered the consequences of this vacuum, drawing parallels to a “Pandora's box open without an accountability partner,” leading to unchecked groupthink and possibly corrupt practices going unnoticed until they reach a critical and often scandalous peak.
 
 Brueski recalled how smaller communities, like the one he grew up in, were once under the vigilant eye of local newspapers and radio stations, which have since dwindled or been swallowed by larger conglomerates. He highlighted the independent efforts of platforms like East Idaho News, which strive to fill that gap, yet acknowledged the challenge of these few remaining guardrails to cover all that needs scrutiny.
 
 Dreeke, with his background in behavioral analysis, brought to the fore the idea that the very essence of trust within a community is forged by the sense of safety that accountability engenders. Without it, individuals and groups may devolve into dangerous patterns of behavior, often unconsciously. This brings into question the adequacy of our current systems to inspire trust and whether we are doing enough to highlight and investigate the multitude of cases that never make the headlines.
 
 In a society that prides itself on freedom of the press and the pursuit of justice, Brueski and Dreeke’s conversation raises an alarm — not with sensationalism, but with a somber warning of the implications of losing local journalism’s “guardrails.” They reflect on the challenges of uncovering and reporting on the plethora of cases that escape national attention, hinting at a vast underbelly of unreported or underreported issues simmering beneath the surface of our daily news feed.
 
 The article concludes by inviting the reader to ponder a crucial question: As the echo chambers grow louder and the traditional platforms of accountability fade, how many hidden killers are thriving in the shadows, bolstered by the very tribalism that once nurtured the collective community? And what will it take to shine a consistent light into these overlooked corners of our society before they reach a boiling point?
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