Unchecked: The architecture of disinformation Episode 11: Disinformation and abortion, with Dr. Ushma Upadhyay
SYNOPSIS
Speaking to Dr. Ushma Upadhyay, Rachel and Dan dig into misinformation about abortion – who gets them, why they get them, and how they get them. You may be surprised by some of the answers. Dr. Upadhyay describes her research around abortion safety and abortion via telehealth. Rachel proposes the lens “Retraction” and Dan leans on an old favorite, “Personas”.
STORIES OF DISINFORMATION
Y2K hype
- The end of the world in Time
- Y2K Panic in Popular Mechanics
Fraud in Minnesota: A misinformation perfect storm
- Dave Weigel’s post on BlueSky
INTERVIEW
LENSES
⇒ Persona
Everyone makes assumptions about who participates, contributes to, or benefits from a system. Those assumptions are rarely challenged, and therefore become the source of or impetus for misinformation. This lens suggests unpacking assumptions is a crucial step in understanding the system.
- What are your assumptions about who is engaged with your system?
- What are your preconceived notions about who is involved?
- When you use labels to describe your users, does everyone agree on what those labels mean?
⇒ Retraction
Publishing in formal and professional venues includes the capability to correct or retract information published there. This is a crucial part of the process, as new information can change understanding. Moreover, mistakes and misinformation need to be marked as such. This lens invites you to look at the way in which your system supports retraction.
- What are the system’s built-in mechanisms that allow users to retract information?
- How is retracted information treated differently in the system?
- How does the system invite users to challenge information to kick off a retraction process?
CONFERENCE DISCOUNT CODE
Join us at the Information Architecture Conference in Philadelphia in April
Use discount code UNCHECKED to get $50 the base conference fee
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Personnel
- Dan Brown, Host
- Rachel Price, Host
- Emily Duncan, Editor
Music
- Turtle Up Fool, by Elliot
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Unchecked is a production of Curious Squid
Curious Squid is a digital design consulting firm specializing in information architecture, user experience, and product design