• Our Social Media 'Bespoke Realities'

  • Feb 10 2025
  • Length: 1 hr and 16 mins
  • Podcast

Our Social Media 'Bespoke Realities'

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  • Summary

  • Mona welcomes Renee DiResta to discuss how social media has distorted our perceptions and how to navigates the world of influencers, online mobs, and lairs.

    The Mona Charen Show is a weekly, one-on-one discussion that goes in depth on political and cultural topics. Ad-free editions are exclusively available for Bulwark+ members. Add the show to your player of choice, here, or find it wherever you get your podcasts and on YouTube. Not yet a member? Join The Bulwark today!

    Eat smart with Factor. Get started at FACTORMEALS.com/monacharen50off and use code monacharen50off to get 50% off your first box plus free shipping.

    References:

    Books & Authors:

    • "Invisible Rulers" – by Renee DeResta(Main topic of discussion)

    Historical References:

    • Father Coughlin & Propaganda (1930s) – Discussion of his use of radio for anti-Semitic and pro-Nazi propaganda, and how he was eventually stopped.

    • Institute for Propaganda Analysis (1930s) – Early efforts to combat misinformation by teaching people how propaganda works.

    Academic & Media References:

    • Helen Lewis (The Atlantic) – Quoted for stating that “the internet is built to empower extremophiles.”

    • Google's Assertive Provenance Report – Discussion of how Google suggests approaches for watermarking and authenticating AI-generated content.

    Key Topics Discussed:

    Misinformation & Social Media Dynamics

    1. Iowa Caucuses (2012 vs. 2020) – How political narratives and distrust in election results evolved.

    2. Measles Outbreak & Anti-Vaccine Misinformation – How misinformation spreads and how online movements gain traction.

    3. Algorithmic Influence & Content Curation – The role of algorithms in shaping political extremism and public perceptions.

    4. QAnon & Wayfair Conspiracy Theory – How misinformation led to real-world harassment and threats.

    5. COVID-19 & Public Trust in Institutions – How institutional silence and slow responses allowed misinformation to fill the gap.

    6. Decline of Trust in Experts – How institutions and scientists need to engage more effectively online.

    7. Influencers & Audience Capture – How social media personalities can be driven toward extremism by audience demands.

    Solutions & Strategies

    1. Pre-bunking – Educating people in advance about misinformation tactics.

    2. Adding Friction – Using design interventions (like Twitter’s “Are you sure you want to share this?”) to slow down misinformation.

    3. Virality Circuit Breakers – Temporary restrictions on the spread of viral misinformation while it is fact-checked.

    4. Watermarking AI-generated Content – Challenges and limitations in identifying AI-created media.

    5. Institutional Preparedness – Advice for organizations on handling misinformation crises.
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