Manufacturing Consensus : Understanding Propaganda in the Era of Automation and Anonymity

An in-depth exploration of social media and emergent technology that details the inner workings of modern propaganda Until recently, propaganda was a top-down, elite-only system of communication control used largely by state actors. Samuel Woolley argues that social media has democratized today's propaganda, allowing nearly anyone to launch a fairly sophisticated, computationally enhanced influence campaign. Woolley shows how social media, with its anonymity and capacity for automation, allows a wide variety of groups to build the illusion of popularity through computational tools (such as bots) and human-driven efforts (such as sockpuppets—real people assuming false identities online—and partisan influencers). They use these technologies and strategies to create a bandwagon effect by bringing the content into parallel discussions with other legitimate users, or to mold discontent for political purposes. Drawing on eight years of original international ethnographic research among the people who build, combat, and experience these propaganda campaigns, Woolley presents an extensive view of the evolution of computational propaganda, offers a glimpse into the future, and suggests pragmatic responses for policy makers, academics, technologists, and others. "Until recently, propaganda was a top-down, elite-only system of communication control used largely by state actors. Samuel Woolley argues that social media has democratized today's propaganda, allowing nearly anyone to launch a fairly sophisticated, computationally enhanced influence campaign. Woolley shows how social media, with its anonymity and capacity for automation, allows a wide variety of groups to build the illusion of popularity through computational tools (such as bots) and human-driven efforts (such as sockpuppets--real people assuming false identities online--and partisan influencers). They use these technologies and strategies to create a bandwagon effect by bringing the content into parallel discussions with other legitimate users, or to mold discontent for political purposes. Drawing on eight years of original international ethnographic research among the people who build, combat, and experience these propaganda campaigns, Woolley presents an extensive view of the evolution of computational propaganda, offers a glimpse into the future, and suggests pragmatic responses for policy makers, academics, technologists, and others."--Dust jacket Elementary Statistics: A Step by Step Approach was written as an aid in the beginning statistics course to students whose mathematical background is limited to basic algebra. The book follows a non-theoretical approach without formal proofs, explaining concepts intuitively and supporting them with abundant examples. The applications span a range of topics, including problems in business, sports, health, architecture, education, entertainment, political science, psychology, history, criminal justice, the environment, transportation, physical sciences, demographics, and travel.The text is strengthened by its offering in ALEKS, now featuring Custom Question Authoring, Video Assignments, interactive tools, and more!ALEKS is a course assistant that helps math instructors forge Constructive Learning Paths for their students – blending personalized modules with instructor-driven assignments to ensure every student always has another block to build on their knowledge base. Cover 1 Half Title 2 Title Page 4 Copyright Page 5 Dedication 6 Contents 8 Preface 10 Acknowledgments 14 1 Propaganda, Social Media, and Political Bots 18 2 Understanding Manufactured Consensus 50 3 State Use of Computational Propaganda 78 4 Automated Political Influencers 97 5 Social Media Companies, the Technology Industry, and Propaganda 125 6 Journalism and Political Bots 147 Conclusion: Provocations, Solutions, and the Future of Manufacturing Consensus 172 Notes 194 Index 222 A 222 B 223 C 224 D 224 E 225 F 225 G 226 H 226 I 226 J 226 K 227 L 227 M 227 N 227 O 228 P 228 Q 228 R 228 S 229 T 230 U 231 V 231 W 231 X 231 Y 231 Z 231