I've Got Questions with Sinead Bovell How Social Media Was Designed To Manipulate You | Renée DiResta
Jan 22, 2026
Renée DiResta, a leading researcher on social media and disinformation, unpacks how platform design and algorithms steer attention and amplify outrage. She explains how rumors, memes, and influencer dynamics turn fringe ideas into mainstream narratives. The conversation covers moral language driving virality, the majority illusion, political influencers, AI deepfakes, and ways to rebuild shared reality.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Experts Must Join Conversations Intentionally
- Experts and public officials should pick strategic online moments to participate and offer accessible explanations.
- Choose formats you can sustain and avoid diving into every toxic viral moment.
Influencer Types Map To Political Effects
- Certain influencer archetypes—perpetually aggrieved, contrarian, generalist, guru—exploit platform incentives differently.
- Perpetually aggrieved creators are most likely to intersect with political propaganda and mobilize followers.
Pet-Rumor Turned Political Propaganda
- A Springfield rumor about neighbors eating pets snowballed into a multiweek political narrative amplified by big influencers.
- The rumor spurred memes, campaign talking points, and real-world harm despite lacking evidence.
