Misinformation March

Discussion Questions

• What do you think are the main reasons that people are drawn to misinformation? How does the book help us understand why it's so difficult to combat?
• How do cognitive biases like confirmation bias and the “illusory truth effect” contribute to the spread of misinformation?
• How does social media amplify the spread of misinformation, according to Van der Linden? Do you think the ideas he suggested would be useful in combating misinformation on social media platforms today?
•  How does misinformation affect and shape someone’s political beliefs, and what things can individuals, media outlets, or even governments do to mitigate its effects?
• At what point does misinformation cross a line into harmful or malicious intent? How should society approach the ethics of spreading false information—particularly when it’s done knowingly?
• How does misinformation affect the public’s trust in institutions, science, and the media? What role does trust play in how individuals understand and react to information?
• In the context of global crises like the COVID-19 pandemic, misinformation has played a large role in public health challenges. How does the book explain the concept of an "infodemic," and what steps can we take to prevent it in future global emergencies?
• What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation, and how should strategies for addressing them differ, according to Van der Linden?
• How does misinformation in the field of science differ from misinformation in other areas?
• How do you think misinformation will evolve and change in the future? What additional strategies might be needed to deal with future challenges, like AI?