Overview

"Political rumors and misinformation pollute the political landscape. This is not a recent phenomenon; before the currently rampant and unfounded rumors about a stolen election and vote-rigging, there were other rumors that continued to spread even after they were thoroughly debunked, including doubts about 9/11 (an ""inside job"") and the furor over President Obama's birthplace and birth certificate. If misinformation crowds out the truth, how can Americans communicate with one another about important issues? In this book, Adam Berinsky examines why political rumors exist and persist despite their unsubstantiated and refuted claims, who is most likely to believe them, and how to combat them. Drawing on original survey and experimental data, Berinsky shows that a tendency toward conspiratorial thinking and vehement partisan attachment fuel belief in rumors. Berinsky argues that in fighting misinformation, it is as important to target the undecided and the uncertain as it is the true believers. In a world where most people don't pay attention to politics, political leaders are often guilty of disseminating false information--and failing to correct it when it is proven wrong. Berinsky suggests that we should focus on the messenger as much as the message. Just as important as how misinformation is debunked is who does the debunking."

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Adam J. Berinsky is the Mitsui Professor of Political Science at MIT and the founding director of the MIT Political Experiments Research Lab. A specialist in the fields of political behavior and public opinion, he is the author of Silent Voices: Public Opinion and Political Participation in America and In Time of War: Understanding American Public Opinion from World War II to Iraq. Tom Campbell hosted morning radio shows for over twenty-five years in New York, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Virginia, during which time he voiced comedy bits, interviewed celebrities, MC'd concerts, flew in a stunt plane, landed by helicopter on an aircraft carrier, and even joined a seance hoping to connect with Houdini. Tom brought his vocal skills to the equally exciting world of audiobook production in 2017, and he's narrated over fifty audiobooks, including the Devolution series by John Casey (books reviewed by the CIA!); Conrad's Honor by Alex Ryan; the seven-book Linear Tactical series by Janie Crouch; the Lunatic City series by T. Allen Diaz; thrillers by Mike McCrary, and many more. Tom possesses a deep, rich baritone, ideally suited for the sarcastic detective, the clandestine spy, the romantic lover, the wandering cowboy, or the military commander. Whether it's mystery, romance, political thriller, multi-character, autobiography, or nonfiction, Tom loves giving voice to the printed word.

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