Episode 178 - The Disinformation Age with Ed Coper

Shownotes are done by Ai and so is the edit. It's a little choppy at times, but it will do. Ed is a good friend of the podcast and an excellent guest.

The audiobook can be found here:

Facts and Other Lies by Ed Coper - Audiobook - Audible.com.au

and the actual book in places that hopefully aren't amazon.

In the meantime, buy CBCo beer. Discount code is CRP10. It's good. Trust me.

Here's what the robots think of the show! Enjoy.

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Navigating the Disinformation Age: An Interview with Ed Coper

In this episode of the Conditional Release Program, host Joel Hill welcomes Ed Coper, author of 'Facts and Other Lies: Welcome to the Disinformation Age.' The episode explores various aspects of the modern disinformation landscape shaped by the post-truth era.

Coper's book, published in 2023, delves into academic research and real-world examples of disinformation, sprinkled with humor. The discussion highlights the role of social media, echo chambers, and the psychological aspects that make disinformation hard to combat. The conversation also covers pre-bunking vs. debunking techniques, the evolving role of AI in spreading disinformation, the influence of tech companies like Facebook and Twitter, and the necessity of a robust digital literacy curriculum. Future election campaigns and the role of disinformation are also discussed, with a focus on practical steps individuals can take to promote factual information.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome

00:19 Book Overview: Facts and Other Lies

01:21 The Disinformation Age

03:24 Information Tribes and Social Dynamics

08:55 Shared Reality and Media Fragmentation

13:57 Debunking vs. Prebunking

22:58 The Rise of AI and Bots

29:10 Media Literacy and the Next Generation

35:49 The Attention Economy and Rage Bait

41:13 The Illusion of Immunity to Disinformation

43:32 Internet Arguments and Social Media Dynamics

48:39 The Participatory Nature of Conspiracy Theories

55:22 Disinformation in the Upcoming Federal Election

01:00:36 Meta's Shift and the Influence of Tech Giants

01:08:58 TikTok's Precarious Position and Authoritarian Influence

01:15:02 Closing Thoughts on Disinformation