Spark - Let's Discuss Mis(Dis)insformation!

**Let's Discuss Mis- (and Dis-) information and Solutions - A Spark Discussion** Let’s get together and discuss the problem of misinformation and disinformation and share solutions. How can we battle the river of manipulative lies? Can we prevent or identify disinformation? Who should be accountable? How can instances be debunked without amplifying them? How can we avoid falling victim ourselves? How will this issue change as social media develops? An expert on this topic will give a brief history, examples on how to spot material meant to deceive us and how (or not) to respond to it. Then we’ll discuss aspects of it - bring your discussion questions and topics. **No prior reading needed – just interest in talking about this topic.** Here are some recommendations if you want more information: **Websites (with links)** - [Barrington Indivisible Truth Brigade Resources- Resources for Effective Communication](https://www.indivisiblebarrington.org/resources/truth-brigade#h.i68tkhhn1245) - [Disinfo-Busters Persuasion through Education](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1g7KnhlJQWwUVa8ihE69-GZcG07ulMgoM/edit#heading=h.nefp513xyh7k) - [University of Michigan Resource Guide “’Fake News’ and Misinformation” Articles](https://guides.lib.umich.edu/c.php?g=283063&p=4471741) **Articles** - ["Why Do People Believe in Conspiracy Theories?” by David Ludden in Psychology Today.](https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/talking-apes/201801/why-do-people-believe-in-conspiracy-theories) - ["Why Do People Believe in Conspiracy Theories?” by Shweta Mishra in www.scienceabc.com](https://www.scienceabc.com/social-science/why-do-people-believe-in-conspiracy-theories) - ["Contemporary trends in psychological research on conspiracy beliefs. A systematic review” by Irena Pilch et al. in the NIH database](https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9945548/#S3) - ["Have beliefs in conspiracy theories increased over time?” by Joseph Uscinski et al.](https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1