TED Talks Daily A surprisingly effective way to fight misinformation | Dave Jorgenson
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Feb 23, 2026 
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Media Fear Is Historical
- Media has always provoked fear and been mistrusted across history, from Plato to early film viewers.
- New forms of media repeatedly force societies to adapt rather than panic.
The Train That Made People Duck
- Dave reenacts the reaction to the 1896 Lumière train film by dramatically ducking on stage.
- The stunt illustrates early shock at novel visual media and how people misread 2D imagery as real threat.
War of the Worlds Panic
- Dave recounts the 1938 Orson Welles broadcast that sparked real panic and mobs.
- The example shows how believable formats (radio) can spread falsehoods widely and quickly.