The Jordan Harbinger Show 420: Renee DiResta | Dismantling the Disinformation Machine
Oct 22, 2020
Renee DiResta, a technical research manager at the Stanford Internet Observatory, dives into the world of disinformation. She explains how movements like anti-vaxxers utilize social media to spread their messages effectively. The talk illuminates the challenges faced by the U.S. government against exploitation by fringe groups. DiResta also discusses how foreign entities, particularly from Russia and China, fuel tribalism in American society, using memes and hashtags as powerful tools for manipulation. It's a captivating exploration of digital influence in today's political landscape.
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Vaccine Advocacy and Doxing
- Renee DiResta's work on disinformation began while searching for a preschool with high vaccination rates.
- This led her to create Vaccinate California and run Facebook ads, exposing her to the organized anti-vaccine movement.
Marketing Tactics in Activism
- Anti-vaccine activists used basic marketing tactics to spread their message.
- They connected with other groups like the Tea Party and militia movements to broaden their reach.
From Vaccines to Terrorism
- DiResta's work on vaccines led to collaboration with the White House on terrorist use of social media.
- ISIS used platforms for recruitment and propaganda, amplified by seemingly regular users.