"Sorting Fact from Fiction: Finding truth in an infodemic" / Special series from experts in fact checking

Sorting Fact from Fiction
Finding truth in an infodemic

In today’s uncertain times, it has become increasingly difficult to know what’s true. The growth of social media, smart devices and a multitude of online sources offer 24/7 connectivity and unprecedented access to a rapidly expanding sea of information. But with that access comes the threat of those who seek to deceive or trick consumers with misinformation.

From false rumors and online hoaxes, to claims of “fake news” or downright lies, we’re left wondering what to believe and who we can trust. To help Washingtonians better sort fact from fiction, AARP, the Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington and BECU held a series of free online events. Our speakers offered tips on how to spot misinformation and scams, where to go for the facts behind the claims, and what you can do to better navigate today’s information overload.

No worries though if you missed our live events. Each program is available here in its entirety. Click on the links below to watch.

SPECIAL EVENT: If you are interested in more on this topic, check out our October 30 "How To Become a Fact Check Ambassador" training. This deep-dive training with the University of Washington Center for an Informed Public is free, but pre-registration is required.

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EVENT 1: Confronting Misinformation: How to avoid falling for and spreading misinformation, disinformation, and “fake news.”
Taped on Sept. 16, 2020

Jevin West, Director of the nonpartisan Center for an Informed Public at the University of Washington
The spread of misinformation is among the most pressing challenges of our time. New platforms for human interaction and information sharing have opened the door to misinformation, disinformation and other forms of networked manipulation, which not only mislead and create divisions, but also diminish trust in democratic institutions such as science and journalism. 

Jevin West provides us with a powerful set of tools to cut through the most intimidating data. You don't need a lot of technical expertise to call out problems with data. Are the numbers or results too good or too dramatic to be true? Is the claim comparing like with like? Is it confirming your personal bias? Drawing on a deep well of expertise in statistics and computational biology, West will provide examples of selection bias and muddled data visualization, distinguish between correlation and causation, and examine the susceptibility of science to modern misinformation.

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EVENT 2: Inside the Mind of "The Original Internet Godfather": A former Dark Web mastermind details how scammers convince you to hand over your hard-earned money.
Taped on October 3, 2020

Deep within the internet is the Dark Web, a space where criminals can anonymously buy and sell illegal goods and private information. Known as the “Original Internet Godfather,” Brett Johnson created one of the dark web’s first online stores where criminals bought stolen credit cards, Social Security numbers, drugs and guns. After serving seven years in prison, Brett turned his back on criminal enterprise and became a consultant for the Secret Service and the cybersecurity industry.

Check out the following presentation for a rare look inside the mind of a master con-artist. Brett reveals how he became a con man and why he changed his ways - plus you’ll learn how to protect yourself from today's latest scams and schemes.

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EVENT 3: The Future of Lying: The new rules of deception and trust
Taped on October 14, 2020

Jeff Hancock is founding director of the Stanford Social Media Lab and is a Professor in the Department of Communication at Stanford University. Professor Hancock and his group work on understanding psychological and interpersonal processes in social media. The team specializes in using computational linguistics and experiments to understand how the words we use can reveal psychological and social dynamics, such as deception and trust, emotional dynamics, intimacy and relationships, and social support. Recently Professor Hancock has begun work on understanding the mental models people have about algorithms in social media, as well as working on the ethical issues associated with computational social science.

Professor Hancock is well-known for his research on how people use deception with technology, from sending texts and emails to detecting fake online reviews. His TED Talk on deception has been seen over 1 million times and he’s been featured as a guest on “CBS This Morning” for his expertise on social media. His research has been published in over 80 journal articles and conference proceedings and has been supported by funding from the U.S. National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Defense. His work on lying and technology has been frequently featured in the popular press, including the New York Times, CNN, NPR, CBS and the BBC.

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