Hoaxlines: Recent Episodes
Novel Science
Novel Science (NS) is a science communication project at the intersection of science and society, with a special focus on efforts to influence or manipulate the public.
We have a disinformation newsletter that tells readers about the latest emerging threats, disinformation narratives, fact checks, research, and recommended reads related to public influence efforts.
Hoaxlines is our public database of mis/mal/disinformation that went live in January of 2021. We’re learning as we go and improving the database along the way.
Key findings in this report * Between February 5 and 13, 2022 a dataset with 99,900 tweets declined by 6,959 tweets. Engagements disappear in one of three ways: voluntary deletion of the tweet, voluntary deletion of the account responsible for the engagement, or a user suspension. * Hoaxlines assessed a subset of missing engagements – a tweet, reply, quote, or retweet would be an engagement — and found that for MaximeBernier and TimCast, the majority of the engagements lost could be explained by user suspensions. Users behind the missing engagements often had recent creation dates. * Two users in the top 100 most active accounts for the truck-related hashtag dataset also appeared in the top 100 most active accounts for the Pfizergate hashtag in November 2021. * Suspensions explained most of the lost engagements we examined but we also found that some users deleted the engagement and were still active on the platform. Other users deleted their accounts altogether. * Taken together, the evidence in this report suggests inauthentic activity may be boosting prominent promoters of truck-related hashtags. Suspension indicates that Twitter may be aware of this platform manipulation.
If so, even if the platform cannot ascertain who is responsible for the activity, it is ethically questionable that the platform has not disclosed this. Twitter’s silence may leave users more vulnerable to influence efforts, allowing bad actors to sow chaos and potentially threaten national security.
For the full report visit novelscience.substack.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
Hoaxlines Disinformation Newsletter #6.14.21 Two Disinformation Campaigns Unmasked, Democratic Allies Face China, Russia, and QAnon May Pivot to Satanic Panic.
Newsletter: https://novelscience.substack.com/p/two-disinformation-campaigns-unmasked
Subscribe: https://novelscience.substack.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
Article: https://novelscience.substack.com/p/why-we-see-the-same-conspiracy-theories
Title: Why We See the Same Conspiracy Theories During Crises and How Adversaries Can Use Them Against Us
Subtitle: Our minds respond predictably to uncertainty. We struggle to take in new information. We may be more paranoid and not knowing anything for sure can leave us desperate for certainty. Bad actors can seize on this--in fact, they often do.
ABOUT US: Novel Science (NS) is a science communication project at the intersection of science and society, with a special focus on efforts to influence or manipulate the public. We currently have a disinformation newsletterthat tells readers about the latest emerging threats, disinformation narratives, fact checks, research, and recommended reads related to public influence efforts.
- Hoaxlines is our public database of mis/mal/disinformation that went live in January of 2021. We’re learning as we go and improving the database along the way. The database may be more helpful to researchers, journalists, and intelligence professionals. If you know of an article or a narrative that belongs in the database, please help by letting us know. Click the button “Submit a Story” and fill out the prompts. It is OK if you aren’t sure something is false or misleading but want us to take a look.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
This is the first installment written in response to the appearance of former White House officials who headlined alongside a merciless dictator at an event held by a group with a history of coercive behavior, sex abuse, links to foreign intelligence, fraud, spreading disinformation, and extremist ideology. The question is why?
Disclaimer: The author does not accuse any parties of wrongdoing, but is “just asking questions.”
Full article https://novelscience.substack.com/p/senior-former-white-house-officials
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available.
Article: https://novelscience.substack.com/p/part-2-familiar-vectors-of-viral
Title: Part 2: Familiar Vectors of Viral Disinformation
Subtitle: Former White House leadership headlines an event hosted by an authoritarian cult. Attendees have popped up around m/disinformation, raising questions about what their appearances mean.
ABOUT US: Novel Science (NS) is a science communication project at the intersection of science and society, with a special focus on efforts to influence or manipulate the public. We currently have a disinformation newsletter that tells readers about the latest emerging threats, disinformation narratives, fact checks, research, and recommended reads related to public influence efforts.
Hoaxlines is our public database of mis/mal/disinformation that went live in January of 2021. We’re learning as we go and improving the database along the way. The database may be more helpful to researchers, journalists, and intelligence professionals. If you know of an article or a narrative that belongs in the database, please help by letting us know. Click the button “Submit a Story” and fill out the prompts. It is OK if you aren’t sure something is false or misleading but want us to take a look.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
A bizarre story born in the depths of the internet about political elites that trafficked and ate children evolved into what we now know as Qanon. Qanon. It’s a catch-all collection of conspiracy beliefs that weaves anti-semitic Nazi propaganda, Christian tropes, and anti-intellectualism. The identity of their prophet, known only as Q, has almost certainly changed. Q is anonymous, hence the name Qanon, so followers and researchers can’t say with certainty who the original or subsequent prophet was.
Read the full story.
Subscribe to never miss Novel Science writing on science and society.
Visit the Hoaxlines Disinformation Database.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
Russia Today expands disinformation tactics and shifts coverage to amplify GOP censorship in a bid to draw American eyes.
Written by E Rosalie and published by Rantt in Feb 2021.
Subscribe at NovelScience.Substack.com to never miss new research, writing, and expert-curated articles.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
You're listening to the science and society newsletter from Novel Science for January 31.
We skipped the week following the attack on the US capitol. Then, we wanted to see what the new administration would do before sending out a newsletter, so this one's packed full.
Kick back, relax, and get ready for the 411.
Subscribe | editor@novel-science.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
A new strain of the virus causing COVID-19 appeared in the UK in September. By mid-November, the new variety of SARS-CoV-2 appeared in ¼ of new cases. Now, in December, that portion is much larger at over 60% of new cases. The change left Prime Minister Boris Johnson little choice but to restrict movement over Christmas.
It’s a warning that Americans should heed. Had Johnson acted swiftly and controlled the virus versus allowing uncontrolled spread, UK citizens might have had a very different Christmas.
Find more articles, infographics, and our latest work at NOVEL SCIENCE.Subscribe to receive the newsletter with expert-curated updates on COVID-19, research, and science and society.
Email editor@novel-science with questions, comments, or concerns.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
How the world’s greatest public health organization was brought to its knees by a virus, the president and the capitulation of its own leaders, causing damage that could last much longer than the coronavirus.
Written by James Bandler, Patricia Callahan, Sebastian Rotella, and Kirsten Berg for ProPublica on Oct 15, 2020, republished by NOVEL SCIENCE
Article: https://novel-science.com/inside-the-fall-of-the-cdc/
Subscribe to the Science & Society Newsletter for the latest COVID-19 updates, expert opinion, and the latest research.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
The GAO report details its audit of congressional and federal spending in the Covid-19 pandemic.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
Research Shows An Unexpected Benefit of Mask-Wearing
Masks may not just prevent you from spreading or getting the virus. Now, a growing stack of evidence seems to say that a mask can make the severity of infection much less. If so, that could make a mask more powerful than any therapeutic. How would that happen — the proof to suggest such a thing would have to be strong, right?
Subscribe | editor@novel-science.com | Twitter | Facebook | Medium | NOVEL SCIENCE
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
What People Worried About the Quality of COVID-19 Studies Should Know Recalled COVID-19 studies have raised valid questions about who or what to trust about the pandemic.
Subscribe | editor@novel-science.com | Twitter | Facebook | Medium | NOVEL SCIENCE
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
Origins of Snake Oil: The Truth About the Most Famous Retracted COVID-19 Study The controversial study gave hope to the world. That was about three seconds before scientists found the trial suffered worrisome flaws. Whether the drug helped people heal faster or protected them from infection, this study couldn’t have shown. Subscribe | editor@novel-science.com | Twitter | Facebook | Medium | NOVEL SCIENCE
Please write with questions, comments, or corrections. Thank you for listening!
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
What the Dengue Vaccine Riddle Says About the Future and Which Countries Will Rise and Fall
Outbreaks have crushed and shaped civilizations for thousands of years. Not fighting the threat won’t protect you from a fall.
Subscribe | editor@novel-science.com | Twitter | Facebook | Medium | NOVEL SCIENCE
Keywords, News, Dengue, Infectious Disease, Pandemics, Outbreaks, Public Health, Science, Research, Vaccines, Foreign Policy, Leadership, Management, History, Plague, COVID-19
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
What You Should Know About Herd immunity in the US
Subscribe | editor@novel-science.com | Twitter | Facebook | Medium | NOVEL SCIENCE| The longer the pandemic goes on, the more “quick fixes” with an apparent end in sight, appeal. Whether we should pursue herd immunity is a fair question to ask. We have nothing to lose by exploring the idea. If we find out it offers better cost-benefit profile, then we should go with it. If it doesn’t, then we need to unify and stick to the goal, wholeheartedly.
Returning to life as it was or resuming a total “lockdown” are also not the only options available to us. Dispense with this idea and consider these five aspects.
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
Deja Flu: Hard Lessons from the 1918 Pandemic We Apparently Didn’t Learn Because We’re Repeating Every Last On
The single greatest lesson in 1918 was simple. Tell the truth. The utterly broken relationship between the public and its leadership fractured entirely under the strain of war and outbreak. Learning from it means a better future. Subscribe | editor@novel-science.com | Twitter | Facebook | Medium | NOVEL SCIENCE Visit the article for full text and a historical photo gallery
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
Is the Death Rate Up or Down, Do More Tests Equal More Cases, And What Does Percent Positive Tell Us? Unsure what to make of recent headlines and quotes from officials? Fear not. I got you.
This post addresses the most common headlines or quotes sent to me in the past week or two. While there are people in public health with a far deeper understanding of infectious disease, claims like these I can handle.
This address does not rise to the standard of an academic journal nor contain enough detail to interest an expert audience. If you’re a no-nonsense human being who just wants to know what to make of headlines and claims floating into your social media feeds, this is for you.
I’ve simplified so as not to confuse or burden readers with information not needed. There are exceptions to almost everything, so please keep that in mind.
Nobel Prose is the podcast belonging to NOVEL-SCIENCE.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
I’m a public health scholar. I watched the conspiracy video. Here’s what I want you to know.
You may wonder about that viral video, and if so, I hope you read this. I hope you thoughtfully consider everything.
Subscribe | editor@novel-science.com | Twitter | Facebook | Medium | NOVEL SCIENCE
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message
This is a reading of an article from medium.com/@e.rosalie and is not a normal podcast episode. For citations and text format see the website. Please send questions, comments, and corrections to e.rosalie.writes@gmail.com
Send in a voice message: https://anchor.fm/novelscience/message