Understanding Misinformation and Disinformation

Misinformation and disinformation encompass the deliberate promotion of false, misleading, or misattributed information, often exploiting context to influence beliefs. Most misinformation may contain grains of truth, crafted in a manner that makes it believable and difficult to debunk. The conversation elucidates the underlying strategies of misinformation, which often leverage context rather than outright lies, indicating that most people are not simply being fed falsehoods but are being subtly guided to rethink their beliefs. This nuanced understanding reveals the complexity behind misinformation, as it frequently relies on targeting cognitive and social biases present in the audience.