Unchecked: The architecture of disinformation
Misinformation and disinformation thrive in today’s technology landscape, and arguably present the greatest threat to modern society. Information architecture – the practice of designing and managing digital spaces – has an opportunity to intervene. This podcast looks at disinformation from an information architecture perspective, and considers ways to expand the practice of IA to address this new reality.
•••
What is Information Architecture? Information architecture is the practice of designing virtual structures – the shape and form of online spaces and digital products. When you click on a navigation menu or follow the steps in a process, you're experiencing the information architecture of a web site or digital product.
•••
What is disinformation? Understanding disinformation is the purpose of this podcast. We are trying to figure out exactly what it is and what it means. If information architecture is the practice of designing virtual spaces, then disinformation is something that can occupy that space to disrupt the user's experience. Alternatively, it is a way of manipulating the space (like flooding it with irrelevant facts) to achieve an end unrelated to the space's original intention.
Unchecked: The architecture of disinformation
Episode 8: Disinformation and gun violence, with Nick Suplina
CONTENT WARNING
This episode of Unchecked deals with the sensitive topic of gun violence.
SYNOPSIS
Nick Suplina, Senior VP for Law & Policy at Everytown for Gun Safety joins Rachel and Dan to talk about the long-standing and persistent disinformation campaign by the gun lobby. Nick highlights the main messages and techniques in use, and we explore the challenges of celebrating prevention. Rachel describes the Lens of Despair and Dan digs into the Lens of Status Quo.
STORIES OF DISINFORMATION
Did moldy bread cause the Salem witch trials?
- Debunking the moldy bread theory (Salem Witch Museum)
Pushing back against disinformation
- George Stephanopolous cuts off the VP (Rolling Stone)
- Airports refuse political video at TSA checkpoint (CNN)
INTERVIEW WITH NICK SUPLINA
- Everytown for Gun Safety
- About Red Flag laws (Everytown)
- Colorado’s new assault weapons ban (CBS News)
- 2022 Safer Communities Act (Wikipedia)
LENSES
Lens of Despair
- How does the system alleviate or exacerbate or manipulate the feeling that nothing can be improved?
- How does the system create a sense of hope?
- How does the system intentionally give agency to its users?
Lens of Status Quo
- What role does status quo play in this domain? What is this system’s role relative to the status quo?
- How does the system discourage users from questioning the status quo?
_____________________________________________________
Personnel
- Dan Brown, Host
- Rachel Price, Host
- Emily Duncan, Editor
Music
- Turtle Up Fool, by Elliot
_____________________________________________________
Unchecked is a production of Curious Squid
Curious Squid is a digital design consulting firm specializing in information architecture, user experience, and product design
