The hottest Misinformation Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Health Politics Topics

Is the impact of generative AI on elections overblown?

Unmoderated Insights • 4 HN points • 03 Sep 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Elections Misinformation Media Technology Governance
  1. Many claims about AI messing up elections are being exaggerated. So far, real events have had a bigger impact than AI-generated content.
  2. Misinformation isn't new, but AI makes it easier to create and share harmful content quickly. The real issue lies in how platforms handle this content.
  3. Companies should improve their systems to control harmful content and support election integrity. It's not just about AI—it’s also about the responsibility of social media platforms.

✅ Global risks report

Wadds Inc. newsletter • 139 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🌍 World Politics Global Risks Conflict Misinformation Economic outlook Climate change
  1. Extreme weather is a big concern for the year ahead, with more heatwaves and flooding expected. The hottest summer in 2023 has made this risk even clearer.
  2. Misinformation, especially from AI, is threatening elections and social unity. It's hard for governments to control this while also protecting free speech.
  3. Economic uncertainty is growing globally, with inflation and conflicts in places like Ukraine and Israel adding to the worries. Many economies are facing tough and uncertain futures.

Congress Corrects the Record on CDC Director Walensky’s False Claim about Masks

The DisInformation Chronicle • 670 implied HN points • 09 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Misinformation Public Health COVID Policy
  1. Congress is correcting CDC Director Walensky's false claim about masks to ensure public trust in health officials.
  2. There is pushback against misleading claims on masks' effectiveness, with concerns about conflicts of interest and Cochrane's troubles.
  3. Cochrane board member Catherine Marshall failed to disclose consulting gigs with the New Zealand government on COVID policy, raising questions about her advice and potential conflicts.

Information Disorder Syndrome

Who is Robert Malone • 14 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Misinformation Mental health Free speech Public Policy Censorship
  1. Information disorder is when people share false information, whether on purpose or not. It can be categorized into three types: misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation.
  2. There are different levels of severity for this 'syndrome.' The mildest level involves sharing false info without intending to harm, while the most severe level involves sharing harmful false information on purpose.
  3. Managing information disorder requires careful handling of false information and may need community engagement and counseling for those who repeatedly share harmful content.
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Pandemic Reporting Failed to Seek Facts While Favoring Biopharma Public Relations

The DisInformation Chronicle • 665 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Journalism Pharma Reporting Misinformation Advocacy
  1. Pandemic reporting should prioritize seeking facts over favoring biopharma public relations.
  2. Journalists should uphold journalistic ethics and verify claims before publishing articles.
  3. Advocacy journalism threatens democracy by undermining informed decision-making and should be countered with fact-based reporting.

Tiktok's Latest Wellness Craze Sends People on a Teeth-Clenching Ride of Untamed Diarrhea

Torture Chamber Small Talk • 179 implied HN points • 27 Jan 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Wellness Medical Advice Nutrition Misinformation Safety
  1. Be cautious about following medical advice from unverified sources, even if they have a large following.
  2. Some wellness trends promoted on social media platforms like TikTok can be risky and lack scientific backing.
  3. Avoid jumping on health trends without proper research and consideration of potential risks.

The 5 types of people who argue on the Internet [SBSQ #5]

Silver Bulletin • 169 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Controversies Misinformation
  1. People argue on the internet for various reasons, with different levels of precision and competitiveness.
  2. When making political contributions, it's more effective to donate to downballot candidates, causes, or effective charities, rather than major-party presidential or high-profile races.
  3. Controversies about platforms like Substack raise concerns about the spread of misinformation and the importance of critical thinking among the public.

Links to Consider, 2/18

In My Tribe • 243 implied HN points • 18 Feb 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Misinformation Libertarianism Political Beliefs Elite Institutions
  1. Misinformation experts can be biased and self-serving when classifying content, leading to selective communication in modern democracies.
  2. The social consensus on freedom can be fragile, with liberties suddenly deemed 'Problematic' by media outlets.
  3. Political beliefs are often about tribal alignment rather than logical reasoning, making persuasion through reason challenging.

The Media Wants You Wearing N95 Masks Forever

Unmasked • 151 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Masks COVID-19 Vaccines Media Misinformation
  1. The media is pushing for people to wear N95 masks indefinitely, despite lack of evidence on their effectiveness
  2. Vaccines and boosters are being portrayed as insufficient protection against viruses, encouraging continued mask-wearing
  3. Misinformation in the media is causing confusion by spreading inaccurate claims about rising COVID infections and the effectiveness of N95 masks

Rethinking Information Disorder via Argumentation Theory Lens

The End(s) of Argument • 139 implied HN points • 12 Jul 23
🚌 Education Misinformation Disinformation
  1. Reading intent in information disorder is challenging because it's hard to know the motives of individuals and misleading content may vary in severity.
  2. Considering evidence within argumentation can help understand the validity of information. Fabricated evidence is invalid for any argument, while contextually misleading evidence may be valid for specific arguments.
  3. Assessing information disorder types involves evaluating the necessity of understanding the argument context to judge evidence validity, rather than solely focusing on malicious intent.

Robert Califf the FDA commissioner is making inappropriate and irresponsible claims about vaccines and boosters on twitter

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 176 implied HN points • 04 Jan 24
🏥 Health Politics FDA Vaccines Boosters Misinformation Twitter
  1. FDA commissioner Robert Califf is making inappropriate claims about vaccines and boosters on Twitter.
  2. Califf's claims are not supported by randomized trials, which go against FDA standards.
  3. Califf is spreading misinformation and using low quality evidence, acting more like a Pfizer spokesperson than a respected academic and scholar.

URGENT: Authors of a big new paper on Covid's heart risks presented its results in a misleading way likely to scare people the paper itself shows are not in danger

Unreported Truths • 64 implied HN points • 11 Oct 24
🏥 Health Politics Public Health Medical Research Pandemic response Misinformation
  1. A recent study found that most people who had Covid do not have an increased risk of heart problems long-term, contrary to scary headlines. It's important for people to have accurate information about their health risks.
  2. The reported increased risks mainly came from hospitalized Covid patients, who are already known to be at higher risk. Most people who were infected but did not need hospitalization had similar heart health to those who never contracted Covid.
  3. The misleading presentation of the study's findings could create unnecessary fear for those who had mild Covid cases. It’s crucial for people to understand their actual risk so they can manage their health appropriately.

Why is Apoorva Mandavilli giving lectures on misinformation when her own articles require so many corrections?

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 110 implied HN points • 21 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Misinformation Corrections
  1. Apoorva Mandavilli is giving lectures on misinformation even though her articles have many corrections
  2. The errors in Apoorva Mandavilli's articles raise concerns about her credibility
  3. It's important to address the issue of misinformation and accuracy in journalism

MAHA Alliance press conference video: "We will never do that study" -- Tony Fauci

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 14 implied HN points • 15 Feb 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Government Media Misinformation
  1. Tony Fauci stated that there will never be a study comparing vaccinated and unvaccinated groups, which raises questions about vaccine transparency.
  2. Del Bigtree emphasized that the NIH has refused to conduct a specific study that could potentially harm vaccine companies.
  3. The lack of willingness to perform these studies brings up concerns about the motivations behind promoting vaccines and the handling of misinformation.

30,000 registration mailers and the problem with the phrase "technically true"

The End(s) of Argument • 19 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Election Misinformation Evidence Political Discourse
  1. The importance of providing context when presenting facts. In the example of 30,000 registration mailers, key details like the mailers not conferring voting rights were crucial.
  2. The issue with the phrase "technically true" and how it can be misleading. Just because something is 'technically true' doesn't mean it's not deceptive when used selectively to support an argument.
  3. Highlighting the necessity of clear, undistorted evidence in making claims. It's crucial to ensure that the evidence presented truly supports the argument being made.

'Experts' Continue To Spread More Misinformation In Response To CDC Update

Unmasked • 67 implied HN points • 14 Feb 24
🏥 Health Politics Misinformation COVID Policies Vaccines Lockdowns
  1. CDC facing criticism and misinformation from some 'experts' after updating guidance, sparking debates over COVID policies and decisions.
  2. There is ongoing discussion about the accountability and responsibility of those involved in pandemic decisions to achieve permanent resolution.
  3. A reader-supported publication sharing views on COVID measures and advocating for awareness and recognition of mistakes made during the pandemic.

What's the best way to redpill someone on the COVID vaccine (and vaccines in general)?

Steve Kirsch's newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🏥 Health Politics Vaccines Public Health Misinformation Education
  1. Building trust is key. People are more open to new ideas when they feel respected and understood.
  2. Using open-ended questions can help others reflect on their beliefs without feeling attacked.
  3. Changing someone's beliefs takes time and patience. Even small conversations can plant seeds for future thoughts.

King Elon, the Owner of the Ball

The Leftovers • 59 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Social media Tech Companies Misinformation Advertising Digital Platforms
  1. Football games in childhood were impacted by the ownership of the ball, highlighting power dynamics within groups of kids.
  2. Elon Musk's actions as the 'Owner of the Ball' on Twitter have negatively affected the platform's value and functionality, leading to significant repercussions.
  3. Using Twitter effectively requires understanding its algorithms and limitations, as well as being cautious about how interactions and content are promoted.

CDC Director Rochelle Walensky Resigns After An Endless List of Disastrous Mistakes

Unmasked • 144 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Public Health CDC Resignation Misinformation Trust
  1. CDC Director Rochelle Walensky resigned due to a string of disastrous mistakes.
  2. The CDC made poor quality research, spread misinformation, and issued ineffective mask recommendations.
  3. Walensky's leadership eroded trust in public health institutions and her mistakes caused harm instead of value.

A Crisis of Trust

Random Minds by Katherine Brodsky • 79 implied HN points • 06 Nov 23
🎭️ Culture Trust Misinformation Technology AI Ethics
  1. Trust is becoming scarce in our rapidly evolving world, leading to a crisis that affects both our personal lives and society.
  2. The digital age and the advancements in artificial intelligence make it challenging to discern truth from misinformation, posing a threat in how we perceive reality.
  3. In navigating the landscape of distrust, critical thinking is crucial, and seeking out diverse perspectives and reliable sources can help us identify trustworthy sources in a climate of uncertainty.

Vax Facts: Do the Polio Vaccines Used In the U.S. Stop Infection and Transmission of the Polio Virus?

Injecting Freedom • 45 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines Immunity Misinformation
  1. The post discusses whether the polio vaccines used in the United States can stop infection and transmission of the polio virus, focusing on the IPV vaccine mandated for grades K-12.
  2. It questions the effectiveness of the vaccine in preventing polio transmission in school settings, prompting readers to consider their answer of 'Yes' or 'No'.
  3. To access the full post and answer, readers are encouraged to subscribe for a 7-day free trial to the Injecting Freedom newsletter.

Reasonableness: An Introduction

The End(s) of Argument • 39 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🚌 Education Beliefs Reasoning Misinformation Evidence Argumentation
  1. Two primary accounts of the relation between evidence and belief in misinformation research are naive and non-naive models, both with limitations.
  2. People's pursuit of reasonableness influences how they collect and share evidence to support their beliefs, aiming to seem rational to others.
  3. Beliefs are often maintained through a balance of evidence and perceived reasonableness, impacting how individuals process and adopt new information.

Vax Facts: Do the Tetanus Vaccines Used in the U.S. Stop Infection and Transmission of the Tetanus Bacterium?

Injecting Freedom • 29 implied HN points • 12 Mar 24
🏥 Health & Wellness Vaccines Immunity Misinformation
  1. Tetanus vaccines used in the U.S. are part of a combination vaccine mandated for grades K-12 to prevent transmission of tetanus in school settings.
  2. Some believe that the tetanus vaccine stops infection and transmission of the tetanus bacterium.
  3. There is a 7-day free trial to access more information on the effectiveness of tetanus vaccines in preventing infection and transmission.

Happy Holidays

Conspirador Norteño • 40 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Misinformation Social media
  1. The blogger will continue exploring deceptive uses of generative AI related to the 2024 U.S. election season.
  2. There will be a focus on dissecting and debunking misleading coverage of misinformation in mainstream publications.
  3. Less content will be dedicated to consolidating older threads from Twitter, with a shift towards discussing other platforms like Bluesky and Mastodon.

Remembering the Outgoing CDC Director’s Greatest Moments

Injecting Freedom • 68 implied HN points • 08 Jul 23
🏥 Health Politics Public Health CDC Misinformation Vaccines
  1. The outgoing CDC Director's statements on vaccine efficacy and mutations were controversial.
  2. There were concerns about the CDC's recommendations for certain groups like children and those with heart disease.
  3. The call for better fact-checking from the CDC Director was met with skepticism due to past misinformation issues.