The National Dilemma: The Battle of Truth and Disinformation

"What is the line where your ability to say what you want stops and your ability to make up things that harm people starts?"

In Elon Musk's recent interview with the BBC, he discussed free speech and his vision for the platform to serve as a "digital town square." However, the challenge arises when determining what constitutes misinformation in a divided society where basic facts are contested. The episode explores the concept of disinformation and the concerns surrounding its potential resurgence on Twitter under Musk's ownership as well as on other social media platforms. Join host Paul Brandus as he delves into the complex issue of disinformation in the digital age.

[00:02:08] Peddlers of disinformation return.

[00:04:52] First Amendment and social media.

[00:10:59] Tackling disinformation upstream.

[00:12:11] Public education campaigns.

[00:16:26] Extending the Pareto Principle to social media.

Got questions, comments or ideas or an example of disinformation you'd like us to check out? Send them to paulb@emergentriskinternational.com. Subscribe wherever you get your podcasts. Special thanks to our guests Meredith Wilson of Emergent Risk International and Ella Irwin for their insights. Our sound designer and editor Noah Foutz, audio engineer Nathan Corson, and executive producers Michael DeAloia and Gerardo Orlando. Thanks so much for listening.