Misinformation Machines with Gordon Pennycook – Part 1

Nov 4, 2024

Gordon Pennycook, a psychology professor at Cornell University, dives deep into the tangled web of misinformation in U.S. elections. He discusses how falsehoods gain traction, especially on social media, and the psychological appeal behind conspiracy theories. Gordon highlights the role of AI in both spreading and combating misinformation and explores why untruths spread faster than facts. The conversation is filled with insights on human gullibility and the surprising impact of humor on belief systems, shedding light on the urgent need for critical thinking today.

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Intro

00:00 • 2min

Navigating Misinformation in Elections

01:38 • 18min

Navigating Misinformation in Elections

19:14 • 12min

The Perception of Extremism in Political Beliefs

31:32 • 3min

The Dynamics of Misinformation

34:59 • 13min

Exploring AI Suitability Through a Fun Game

47:57 • 2min

Exploring Gullibility and Misinformation in the Digital Age

49:46 • 4min

The Role of Misinformation and AI in the US Election with Gordon Pennycook

In this episode of the Behavioral Design Podcast, hosts Aline and Samuel explore the complex world of misinformation in the context of the U.S. elections with special guest Gordon Pennycook, a psychology professor at Cornell University.

The episode covers the effects of misinformation on democratic participation, and how behavioral science sheds light on reasoning errors that drive belief in falsehoods. Gordon shares insights from his groundbreaking research on misinformation, exploring how falsehoods gain traction and the role AI can play in both spreading and mitigating misinformation.

The conversation also tackles the evolution of misinformation, including the impact of social media and disinformation campaigns that blur the line between truth and fiction.

Tune in to hear why certain falsehoods spread faster than truths, the psychological appeal of conspiracy theories, and how humor can amplify the reach of misinformation in surprising ways.

LINKS:

Gordon Pennycook: