This week on Does Not Compute
Disinformation is social—it’s designed for sharing, to draw bright lines between “us” and some other “them.” To do that, disinformation campaigns mess with our emotions. These narratives can convert feelings of anxiety, fear, and powerlessness into bright, actionable anger, or sow doubt and uncertainty in the face of optimism.
Host Shannon McGregor digs deep into all the feels and how to channel good anger in the face of these manipulations.
Recent publications and appearances
“An obstacle to extending mandates is that the Food and Drug Administration has approved the vaccines only for emergency use and has yet to fully approve them... The lack of formal approval has allowed some anti-vaxxers to claim the vaccines are experimental. Polls show that a lack of trust in the vaccine is a rationale for some of the vaccine hesitancy. And without full approval, it might be easier to fight vaccine mandates, both legally and politically.” Zeynep Tufekci argues that American dysfunction is the biggest barrier to fighting COVID-19.
Dr. Tufekci’s work was also referenced in an essay about political organizing in the UK.
“The data on Wikipedia also teaches AI systems and are used by Google, Alexa and Siri. So when women go missing from Wikipedia, that absence reverberates, but also, it’s extremely discouraging and frustrating. There are a subset of editors that are really devoted to trying to close this gender gap, so when they have to take extra time out of their day to keep these pages up, that’s an additional labor toll, and also an additional emotional toll on people who are already taking this time as volunteers to make Wikipedia a more equitable place.” Francesca Tripodi appeared on Marketplace to discuss her Wikipedia work. She also spoke with Utah Public Radio’s Undisciplined Science Show.
“There was no process, no conversation with the faculty or staff about adopting Walter Hussman’s values as the values of the school. That’s something that he began saying and it was performed into existence.” Daniel Kreiss and friend of CITAP Kate Sheppard spoke to NC Policy Watch about how Walter Hussman’s values were adopted by the UNC's School of Journalism and Media.
Alice Marwick’s work was featured in an ‘open reader’ on Social Media & the Self edited by Jefferson Pooley and released online by Media Studies Press.
Coming soon
September 14: Shannon McGregor will join a panel discussion on Democracy and Public Discourse organized by Carolina Public Humanities and the General Alumni Association. The panel will take place in-person at UNC’s Center for Global Education and will also be live-streamed.
Rest of Web
Thick: and Other Essays by Tressie McMillan Cottom was included in a Fast Company roundup of must-reads.
Friend of CITAP Danna Young shared a thread from sociologist Brooke Harrington on reference groups, COVID, and what the implications the scientific literature on fraud has for mis- and dis-information. (Pairs great with our podcast ep on Conspiracy and Racism!)
…and if you made it this far, maybe you know who Shannon should connect this person with?