Read on Twitter
I am trying to be more intentional with my use of Twitter. That includes less doom scrolling, tweeting less and posting about topics I have a high interest in at the moment.
Tonight, I want to discuss disinformation and the war of narratives.
Tonight, I want to discuss disinformation and the war of narratives.
If after reading this thread you have an interest in exploring the topic further, I recommend reading the book, War in 140 Characters. https://www.amazon.com/War-140-Characters-Reshaping-Twenty-First/dp/046509614X
You need to be skeptical of everything you see on social media that hasn’t been vetted or verified by trusted sources.
This is especially true with trending hashtags. https://twitter.com/ejazmalikzada/status/1359925000854192134
This is especially true with trending hashtags. https://twitter.com/ejazmalikzada/status/1359925000854192134
Trending hashtags are a great way to get disinformation out early on important issues.
Sometimes bots are the reasons why hashtags trend. https://twitter.com/arh2025/status/1360231942730489859
Sometimes bots are the reasons why hashtags trend. https://twitter.com/arh2025/status/1360231942730489859
Be careful with what you amplify and who you engage. On the surface, some sources of disinformation may look legitimate.
Take for example the outlet Arab News Today.
Take for example the outlet Arab News Today.
Some of these articles have titles and images that are similar to major outlets.
Even if you aren’t familiar with these current events, an immediate red flag is the link to Rumble.
Even if you aren’t familiar with these current events, an immediate red flag is the link to Rumble.
Peppered in the posts you’ll find disinformation about COVID vaccines.
Luckily this is a page with low engagement. I think most folks who follow me are skeptical enough that they’d recognize that this info should not be trusted.
However, know that other sources are much more persuasive.
Misinfo is much more sophisticated than older content.
However, know that other sources are much more persuasive.
Misinfo is much more sophisticated than older content.
This is a great example.
National Vaccine Center vs World Health Organization
At first glance, can you tell the difference?
National Vaccine Center vs World Health Organization
At first glance, can you tell the difference?
These campaigns are targeted and extremely effective at increasing divisiveness.
“These malicious accounts tweeted a mixture of sentiments to cultivate followers and manipulate U.S. narratives about race, racial tensions and police conduct.” https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/07/24/russias-disinformation-campaigns-are-targeting-african-americans/%3foutputType=amp
“These malicious accounts tweeted a mixture of sentiments to cultivate followers and manipulate U.S. narratives about race, racial tensions and police conduct.” https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2020/07/24/russias-disinformation-campaigns-are-targeting-african-americans/%3foutputType=amp
This article is important. If you read one of the links I share, this one should be it.
“This website breaks down the findings and shows how fake news really spread during the election.” https://knightfoundation.org/features/misinfo/
“This website breaks down the findings and shows how fake news really spread during the election.” https://knightfoundation.org/features/misinfo/
Every country is being hit by disinformation. https://www.nytimes.com/2020/01/19/us/politics/south-america-russian-twitter.html?0p19G=0232
What’s the goal?
“Russia’s global strategy for reasserting itself as a superpower has led to increased presence in Africa.. it has broadened efforts to shape the continent’s politics & pursue new economic opportunities to allay the effects of sanctions.” https://cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/io/news/prigozhin-africa
“Russia’s global strategy for reasserting itself as a superpower has led to increased presence in Africa.. it has broadened efforts to shape the continent’s politics & pursue new economic opportunities to allay the effects of sanctions.” https://cyber.fsi.stanford.edu/io/news/prigozhin-africa
If you’re upset 24/7 on Twitter, there might be a good reason why that’s the case.
“Misinformation has the greatest chance of becoming widespread when it contains content that exploits feelings of superiority, anger, or fear against another group.” https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2020/07/06/how-misinformation-spreads-on-twitter/amp/
“Misinformation has the greatest chance of becoming widespread when it contains content that exploits feelings of superiority, anger, or fear against another group.” https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.brookings.edu/blog/up-front/2020/07/06/how-misinformation-spreads-on-twitter/amp/
If you’re a little bit savvy, you may conduct a reverse image search to see if an account is legit. Guess what? AI is being used to make pics more believable.
“Leveraging advancements in machine learning, they began using AI-generated profile pictures.” https://www.brookings.edu/techstream/how-disinformation-evolved-in-2020/
“Leveraging advancements in machine learning, they began using AI-generated profile pictures.” https://www.brookings.edu/techstream/how-disinformation-evolved-in-2020/
Introducing false narratives is another tactic.
“When the message spread from Facebook to Twitter, however, activity started to shift from real people concerned with the Bolivian uprising to bots looking to capitalize on the confusion.” https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2019/11/18/20970888/bot-campaign-twitter-facebook-bolivia-uprising-coup-confusion
“When the message spread from Facebook to Twitter, however, activity started to shift from real people concerned with the Bolivian uprising to bots looking to capitalize on the confusion.” https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.theverge.com/platform/amp/2019/11/18/20970888/bot-campaign-twitter-facebook-bolivia-uprising-coup-confusion
Pay close attention to links.
“Endless Mayfly made extensive use of typosquatting, which is the intentional registration of a domain name that takes advantage of typographical variants of the target domain name.” https://citizenlab.ca/2019/05/burned-after-reading-endless-mayflys-ephemeral-disinformation-campaign/
“Endless Mayfly made extensive use of typosquatting, which is the intentional registration of a domain name that takes advantage of typographical variants of the target domain name.” https://citizenlab.ca/2019/05/burned-after-reading-endless-mayflys-ephemeral-disinformation-campaign/
Finally, if you’re getting your news exclusively from social media, there’s a high likelihood you’re being exposed to false news and conspiracy theories. https://www.journalism.org/2020/07/30/americans-who-mainly-get-their-news-on-social-media-are-less-engaged-less-knowledgeable/
What’s the solution? Well, we can’t trust the platforms to eliminate the fake information. There’s just too much of it.
We need to do our part by spending less time on social media and referring to legit, trusted sources of information.
We need to do our part by spending less time on social media and referring to legit, trusted sources of information.
I also encourage you to influence your friends and family to spend less time on mindlessly scrolling on social media.
This problem will only get worse.
This problem will only get worse.
I don’t know how successful this tactic will be, but I’m really emphasizing that the issue is with the disinformation and the impact it has on people.
We need to allow believers the opportunity to save face and not feel stupid.
We need to allow believers the opportunity to save face and not feel stupid.
I’ve found that it’s also important to listen to people without interrupting and belittling them. Keep your temper in check.
Find out why they believe the disinformation. Don’t challenge all of the issues. Instead, focus on the bigger picture.
Find out why they believe the disinformation. Don’t challenge all of the issues. Instead, focus on the bigger picture.
If you’re not seen as a trusted source, you may have to influence by proxy. Talk to someone within the person’s sphere of friends or family.
You’ll need to identify someone who can help.
You’ll need to identify someone who can help.
Goodnight everyone. 
