#1263 - Renée DiResta

Episode Timestamps

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• 00:11:19

  Internet Research Agency: Tactics and Whistleblower Accounts

  • The agency, resembling a social media marketing agency, employs peculiar tactics beyond social media norms.
  • Whistleblower Ludmila Savachuk exposed the agency's operations, revealing mundane social media tasks but with specific engagement targets.
  • Operatives were well-versed in internet and trolling culture, and Mueller's indictment highlighted detailed strategies such as targeting black LGBT individuals authentically.
• 00:15:34

  Building Tribal Identities on Social Media Platforms

  • Creation of diverse fake tribal identities to build in-group dynamics and reinforce specific beliefs.
  • Focused on distinct communities like LGBT, Black, and far right groups with tailored content.
  • Pages aimed at setting standards and affirming tribal beliefs, gradually shaping followers' opinions with long-term influence strategies.
• 00:22:30

  Sleeper Accounts and Repurposing for Propaganda: Black Guns Matter to Anonymous Page

  • Creating sleeper accounts for future use by repurposing old pages
  • Example of the transformation of Black Guns Matter page into an anonymous account
  • Unclear if content was altered; lack of transparency from platforms regarding repurposing
• 00:27:21

  Political Manipulation & Trump Support: Disinformation Influence on US Election

  • Transition from supporting Rand Paul to adamantly pro-Trump
  • Focus on eroding support for traditional conservatives and mainstream Republicans
  • Promotion of political polarization & activism through separate left-leaning and right-leaning pages
• 00:34:41

  Troll Accounts Targeting Famous People on Various Platforms

  • Created multiple troll accounts targeting famous individuals on platforms like Reddit, Tumblr, and Facebook.
  • Posted divisive and controversial content to engage communities and gain followers.
  • Used various platforms like GAB, Reddit, and Tumblr to maximize reach and impact.
• 00:36:51

  Engagement Strategies and Impact of Troll Operation

  • Deployed millions of tweets and original content across different social media platforms.
  • Utilized regramming and spreading techniques to amplify reach and engagement.
  • Focused on impacting conversations and communities, with potential effects on behavior and voting.
• 00:46:09

  Russian Propaganda Tactics: Dubious Content and Narrative Manipulation

  • Russian propaganda includes dissemination through overt domains and think tanks.
  • Narratives target American industries like energy, oil, fracking, and agriculture (GMOs).
  • Examples include narratives depicting Russia as an organic haven and the US as serving toxic food.
• 00:52:59

  Sophisticated Cultural Understanding: Manipulation and Real-world Interactions

  • Foreign operatives show profound knowledge of American culture and politics.
  • In-depth training and engagement with American social and political nuances.
  • Utilization of significant funding, consultants, and real-world manipulation tactics.
• 00:57:31

  Texas vs Islamistization - The Battle for Texas

  • Texans rallying to resist the Islamistization of Texas face off against defenders of Muslim culture
  • Facebook events promoted with ad dollars provoke confrontations and tensions
  • Creation of fake events and rallies to incite mini riots and create division
• 00:59:51

  Black Matters US - The Fake Media Ecosystem

  • Creation of elaborate fake media ecosystem by spreading across multiple platforms
  • Recruitment of individuals for various roles including designers, writers, and protestors
  • Utilization of physical fitness classes under the Black Fist brand to teach self-defense tactics
• 01:09:33

  Influence on Public Opinion by DNC and Cognitive Dissonance

  • Donna Brazil revealed DNC rigging the primaries against Bernie Sanders and for Clinton
  • Many Clinton supporters struggled to accept the truth due to cognitive dissonance
  • Sophisticated strategies utilized to manipulate and influence public opinions
• 01:11:49

  Role of Social Media Platforms in Propaganda and Accountability

  • Independent researchers uncovered content on social media platforms like Pinterest
  • Efforts to hold tech companies accountable for misinformation and propaganda
  • Initiatives to inform users about engaging with propaganda content
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• 01:34:03

  Online Moderation and Regulation Challenges

  • Discussion on the challenges of online moderation and freedom of speech.
  • Concerns about power abuse in online communities through moderation.
  • Examples of regulatory actions in response to the platforms' practices.
• 01:36:31

  Privacy Regulations and Identity Verification

  • Comparison between European GDPR and California GDPR regulations.
  • Discussion on the need for federal privacy regulations in the US.
  • Challenges and potential risks associated with identity verification online.
• 01:46:52

  Social Media Influence on University Protests

  • Conservative speakers facing opposition from groups like Antifa
  • Emergence of violent clashes between groups like Proud Boys and Antifa
  • Shift in behavior mimicking online interactions leading to volatile protests
• 01:49:22

  Impact of Online Communication on Behavior and Perception

  • Rise of smartphone addiction affecting human interactions
  • Challenges in identifying genuine online personas due to fake accounts and catfishing
  • Rapid technological advancements like deep fakes raising concerns about fake internet content
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