Unchecked: The architecture of disinformation Episode 8: Disinformation and gun violence, with Nick Suplina
CONTENT WARNING
This episode of Unchecked deals with the sensitive topic of gun violence.
SYNOPSIS
Nick Suplina, Senior VP for Law & Policy at Everytown for Gun Safety joins Rachel and Dan to talk about the long-standing and persistent disinformation campaign by the gun lobby. Nick highlights the main messages and techniques in use, and we explore the challenges of celebrating prevention. Rachel describes the Lens of Despair and Dan digs into the Lens of Status Quo.
STORIES OF DISINFORMATION
Did moldy bread cause the Salem witch trials?
- Debunking the moldy bread theory (Salem Witch Museum)
Pushing back against disinformation
- George Stephanopolous cuts off the VP (Rolling Stone)
- Airports refuse political video at TSA checkpoint (CNN)
INTERVIEW WITH NICK SUPLINA
- Everytown for Gun Safety
- About Red Flag laws (Everytown)
- Colorado’s new assault weapons ban (CBS News)
- 2022 Safer Communities Act (Wikipedia)
LENSES
Lens of Despair
- How does the system alleviate or exacerbate or manipulate the feeling that nothing can be improved?
- How does the system create a sense of hope?
- How does the system intentionally give agency to its users?
Lens of Status Quo
- What role does status quo play in this domain? What is this system’s role relative to the status quo?
- How does the system discourage users from questioning the status quo?
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Personnel
- Dan Brown, Host
- Rachel Price, Host
- Emily Duncan, Editor
Music
- Turtle Up Fool, by Elliot
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Unchecked is a production of Curious Squid
Curious Squid is a digital design consulting firm specializing in information architecture, user experience, and product design