Today, we’re diving deep into the murky waters of Russian disinformation. Click to listen to the corresponding LATE STAGE RAGE podcast episode on this topic.
Straight from the Kremlin
Russian disinformation is like a cancer – it spreads division and weakens our society. Russia has talent for this, but it’s not just them. Political parties, news outlets, corporations… they all use similar tactics to manipulate us. And if you think you’re immune, think again. We’re all susceptible. I’ve been working hard at SLOWING DOWN my reactions to disinformation, but I’ve fallen for it, too. The 2016 U.S. elections were a masterclass in disinformation. Russia didn’t care who won, they just wanted us at each other’s throats. And it worked. Blaming one side or the other is a distraction. The real winner was division.
Here’s the playbook Russia and others use:
Fake News
Fabricated stories designed to deceive.
Deepfakes
Terrifying AI-generated videos or audio that make anyone say or do anything. Imagine a convincing fake video of President Biden declaring war – chaos!
Misleading Narratives
Take Ukraine. Yes, it has corruption. But Russia weaponizes that truth to hide the bigger picture – they caused much of that corruption and invaded because Ukraine was fighting back.
Trolls and Bots
Fake social media accounts flood platforms with lies, outrage, and distractions to drown out reasonable voices.
Cyberattacks
Stealing information, disrupting infrastructure… it’s all part of the game.
Sound familiar? It should. These tactics are being used right now, all around us.
What Can We Do?
The good news? We’re not powerless. Here’s some ways to fight back:
Own Your Mistakes
We all fall for bad information sometimes. Admit it, learn from it, and move on.
Be Skeptical
Question everything. Don’t just trust one source. Do your own research.
Seek Out Diverse Perspectives
Don’t fall into echo chambers. Get your news from a variety of reliable sources.
Fact-Check
Use reputable fact-checking sites like Politifact, Factcheck.org, or Snopes.
Remember, don’t let anyone, especially not Russia, tell you what to think. Think for yourself. Protect your freedom by using it wisely.
To understand the threat fully, hear from experts like historian Dr. Timothy Snyder. He has incredible insights into Russia, China, and the dangers of political warfare. I’ve included a five minute audio clip of Dr. Snyder’s address to Congress in the corresponding podcast episode.
RESOURCES
I’ve compiled a list of resources to help you stay informed and protect yourself:
- Global Engagement Center
- Disarming Disinformation
- Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA)
- CISA “Shield’s Up” Project:
- Center for European Policy Analysis (CEPA)
- Atlantic Council
- Dr. Timothy Snyder’s entire testimony to congress (2024-04-17)
- More from Dr. Timothy Snyder on the issue
- Congressional Record of Dr. Snyder’s April 17, 2024 address
Fact checking:
Join the Rage Party!
Share this post, subscribe to my podcast, and let’s fight back against the forces of disinformation. Together, we can reclaim our minds and our democracy.
Stay vigilant. Stay angry. And stay tuned for more LATE STAGE RAGE.
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