

Unchecked: The architecture of disinformation
Curious Squid
Misinformation and disinformation thrive in today’s technology landscape, and arguably present the greatest threat to modern society. Information architecture – the practice of designing and managing digital spaces – has an opportunity to intervene. This podcast looks at disinformation from an information architecture perspective, and considers ways to expand the practice of IA to address this new reality. ••• What is Information Architecture? Information architecture is the practice of designing virtual structures – the shape and form of online spaces and digital products. When you click on a navigation menu or follow the steps in a process, you're experiencing the information architecture of a web site or digital product. ••• What is disinformation? Understanding disinformation is the purpose of this podcast. We are trying to figure out exactly what it is and what it means. If information architecture is the practice of designing virtual spaces, then disinformation is something that can occupy that space to disrupt the user's experience. Alternatively, it is a way of manipulating the space (like flooding it with irrelevant facts) to achieve an end unrelated to the space's original intention.
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Apr 23, 2025 • 56min
Episode 2: Disinformation and civic tech, with Cyd Harrell
Cyd Harrell, author and civic tech expert based in San Francisco, dives into the critical challenges of providing accurate, accessible information in government. The conversation explores how technology can foster civic responsibility while navigating the pitfalls of disinformation. Highlights include the concept of accuracy as a spectrum and the importance of accountability in validating information sources. Cyd also shares insights from her book about improving transparency in government communication, emphasizing the need for user-friendly interfaces.

6 snips
Apr 9, 2025 • 1h 6min
Episode 1: Disinformation and healthcare with Susannah Fox
This week features Susannah Fox, author of Rebel Health, who studies the intersection of technology and healthcare. She dives deep into how disinformation permeates patient communities and explores the importance of creating transparent information ecosystems. Fox discusses the challenges of misdirection in healthcare narratives and emphasizes empowering communities to regulate the accuracy of shared information. With insights on the evolution of digital healthcare dynamics, she highlights the need for collective engagement to combat misinformation.

11 snips
Mar 5, 2025 • 38min
Pilot - Introducing Unchecked
Dive into the urgent landscape of disinformation, where historical cases like the 1918 flu pandemic reveal the dangers of misinformation. Explore the chaos of the Los Angeles wildfires and how crises fuel false narratives. Discover the critical need for source verification, and learn how technology both empowers and complicates information sharing. The hosts emphasize the importance of information architecture in combating misleading narratives and call for innovative strategies to navigate this complex information jungle.


