Lou Watson
@ideascout.bsky.social
Chief Idea Scout. Reader, listener, connector, creator. Following news, insights on strategic comms, consumer behaviour (as linked to persuadability and motivation), democracy, war studies and mis/disinformation.
Proud to be part of this esteemed crowd for @prca-hq.bsky.social at 12 GMT. Join us lnkd.in/eGaeJb_q cc @candacekuss.bsky.social #trends #socialmedia #disinformation
January 9, 2025 at 9:49 AM
Proud to be part of this esteemed crowd for @prca-hq.bsky.social at 12 GMT. Join us lnkd.in/eGaeJb_q cc @candacekuss.bsky.social #trends #socialmedia #disinformation
2025 has to be the year that we find a way to better spot, manage and regulate against dis and misinformation
Manchester Arena attack survivor calls for protection from conspiracy theorists www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024...
Manchester Arena attack survivor calls for protection from conspiracy theorists
Martin Hibbert says his family were terrified after YouTuber who claimed they were ‘crisis actors’ covertly filmed them
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2024 at 12:05 PM
2025 has to be the year that we find a way to better spot, manage and regulate against dis and misinformation
Have seen this complaint raised from all forms of media outlet. Give credit to the credit. ⬇️⬇️
Original reporting takes time, effort, and integrity — so why is it so often copied without credit? We're calling out the growing plagiarism problem in journalism.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/the-plagiari...
ukdefencejournal.org.uk/the-plagiari...
The plagiarism problem in journalism
Original reporting takes time, effort, and integrity — so why is it so often copied without credit? We're calling out the growing plagiarism problem in journalism.
ukdefencejournal.org.uk
December 20, 2024 at 1:47 AM
Have seen this complaint raised from all forms of media outlet. Give credit to the credit. ⬇️⬇️
The brazenness of this claim in light of X link suppression but more, it demonstrates a fragility that nobody should want in a leader. (It’s not a good look for somebody so concerned by vanity metrics either)
Unlike ABC and Disney, the Des Moines Register will fight back
Donald Trump is suing the Iowa paper because he’s still mad about an election poll he didn’t like. The paper isn’t standing for it.
December 18, 2024 at 7:37 AM
The brazenness of this claim in light of X link suppression but more, it demonstrates a fragility that nobody should want in a leader. (It’s not a good look for somebody so concerned by vanity metrics either)
Ukraine brings war close to home in Moscow #CBR general
#BBCNews - General's assassination pierces Moscow's air of normality
www.bbc.com/news/article...
By @bbcstever.bsky.social
www.bbc.com/news/article...
By @bbcstever.bsky.social
General's assassination pierces Moscow's air of normality
The killing of Igor Kirillov is a wake-up call for the Russian capital, writes Steve Rosenberg.
www.bbc.com
December 18, 2024 at 7:33 AM
Ukraine brings war close to home in Moscow #CBR general
Reposted by Lou Watson
#BBCNews - Russia launches huge attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#UkraineWar
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#UkraineWar
Russia-Ukraine war: Moscow launches huge attack on energy infrastructure
The Kremlin says the strikes were in response to Kyiv using US-made missiles to attack its territory.
www.bbc.com
December 14, 2024 at 12:49 AM
#BBCNews - Russia launches huge attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#UkraineWar
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#UkraineWar
Rent-an-Andrew discovering that his tree is increasingly sparse. ‘you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on’
Prince Andrew ‘confidant’ loses appeal on UK ban over national security
Prince Andrew ‘confidant’ loses appeal on UK ban over national security
Chinese businessman known to Duke of York loses appeal over decision to bar him on national security grounds
A Chinese businessman described as a “close confidant” of the Duke of York has lost an appeal over a decision to bar him from entering the UK on…
www.theguardian.com
December 13, 2024 at 5:42 PM
Rent-an-Andrew discovering that his tree is increasingly sparse. ‘you sit at the very top of a tree that many, many people would like to be on’
Volume up. This morning’s mood 🥰 youtu.be/yhcWH8KZXEg
Still Woozy - Get By [Official Audio]
YouTube video by Still Woozy
youtu.be
December 13, 2024 at 8:14 AM
Volume up. This morning’s mood 🥰 youtu.be/yhcWH8KZXEg
Own goal 🥴
FT front page has a story that billionaire financier Michael Spencer whining that top CEOs should be "paid like footballers" to make us competitive.
It then notes the average Premier League salary is £2.1m and the average FTSE 100 CEO earns £4.1m.
It then notes the average Premier League salary is £2.1m and the average FTSE 100 CEO earns £4.1m.
December 12, 2024 at 9:40 PM
Own goal 🥴
Reposted by Lou Watson
Trump just nominated Kari Lake to a job she can't have. Senate approved a bipartisan board in December that has oversight over Voice of America and other US funded broadcasters
www.voanews.com/amp/senate-a...
.
www.voanews.com/amp/senate-a...
.
Senate Approves USAGM Board
www.voanews.com
December 12, 2024 at 6:16 AM
Trump just nominated Kari Lake to a job she can't have. Senate approved a bipartisan board in December that has oversight over Voice of America and other US funded broadcasters
www.voanews.com/amp/senate-a...
.
www.voanews.com/amp/senate-a...
.
Reposted by Lou Watson
Donald Trump asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit accusing him of making defamatory statements during his campaign about five Black and Hispanic men who were wrongly convicted and imprisoned for the 1989 rape of a white jogger in New York reut.rs/4isLRaZ
Trump asks judge to dismiss Central Park Five defamation lawsuit
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit accusing him of making defamatory statements during his campaign about five Black and Hispanic men who were wrongly convicted and imprisoned for the 1989 rape of a white jogger in New York’s Central Park.
reut.rs
December 12, 2024 at 3:07 AM
Donald Trump asked a federal judge to dismiss a lawsuit accusing him of making defamatory statements during his campaign about five Black and Hispanic men who were wrongly convicted and imprisoned for the 1989 rape of a white jogger in New York reut.rs/4isLRaZ
Reposted by Lou Watson
The fact that such preemptive pardons by Biden are widely seen by many serious people as probably needed to defend many prominent Trump critics from wrongful prosecution (& worse) in the upcoming Trump Administration 2.0 is a very very sad moment for US democracy.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/rcn...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/rcn...
Biden weighs pre-emptive pardons for potential targets of Trump’s retribution
During the 2024 campaign, Trump made threatening comments about people he said had slighted or wronged him.
www.nbcnews.com
December 7, 2024 at 12:45 PM
The fact that such preemptive pardons by Biden are widely seen by many serious people as probably needed to defend many prominent Trump critics from wrongful prosecution (& worse) in the upcoming Trump Administration 2.0 is a very very sad moment for US democracy.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/rcn...
www.nbcnews.com/politics/rcn...
Previously shared Sweden’s info warfare advisory, civil war preparedness in Finland, Norway and now Germany www.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...
‘Would you survive 72 hours?’ Germany and the Nordic countries prepare citizens for possible war
Apps and booklets are offering advice on how to build a bunker, stockpile food and live without electricity in case the worst happens
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2024 at 6:36 AM
Previously shared Sweden’s info warfare advisory, civil war preparedness in Finland, Norway and now Germany www.theguardian.com/world/2024/n...
Motives and details unclear but this is an unbelievable incident coming out of the U.S. Await further reports….
This is starting to look like the first case of lone-wolf anti-corporate terrorism in the US that I am aware of.
December 5, 2024 at 7:21 AM
Motives and details unclear but this is an unbelievable incident coming out of the U.S. Await further reports….
December 4, 2024 at 10:23 AM
Reposted by Lou Watson
Authoritarian scholars note that dictatorial actors intentionally flood the information environment with hyper-provocative content and rhetoric to confuse and fatigue the populace. It helps with driving their submission to dominance.
cc: @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social
@brianklaas.bsky.social
(1/2)
cc: @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social
@brianklaas.bsky.social
(1/2)
December 3, 2024 at 10:27 AM
Authoritarian scholars note that dictatorial actors intentionally flood the information environment with hyper-provocative content and rhetoric to confuse and fatigue the populace. It helps with driving their submission to dominance.
cc: @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social
@brianklaas.bsky.social
(1/2)
cc: @ruthbenghiat.bsky.social
@brianklaas.bsky.social
(1/2)
It’s not the fact that surveillance is technologically possible it’s the sheer commitment on man power and resourcing, that makes this state backed media surveillance case so compelling.
#BBCNews - Russian agent 'wanted successful UK operation after Skripal'
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#Marsalek
www.bbc.com/news/article...
#Marsalek
Russian agent 'wanted successful UK operation after Skripal'
Austrian Jan Marsalek acted as a Russian agent and gave instructions to a UK-based spy cell, a court hears
www.bbc.com
December 3, 2024 at 10:34 AM
It’s not the fact that surveillance is technologically possible it’s the sheer commitment on man power and resourcing, that makes this state backed media surveillance case so compelling.
Uploads innocuous picture of dog in garden. Fascinating awakening into digital footprints.
Ever wondered exactly what it's possible for software to glean from an image you upload to the web, based on AI and metadata? Drop one of your pics onto this site and prepare to have a really uncomfortable moment when you realise (again!) that the panopticon is very real: theyseeyourphotos.com
They See Your Photos
Upload a photo to find out how much an AI sees.
theyseeyourphotos.com
December 3, 2024 at 10:28 AM
Uploads innocuous picture of dog in garden. Fascinating awakening into digital footprints.
Reposted by Lou Watson
Kash Patel, Donald Trump's pick to run the FBI, has repeatedly hawked "detox" supplements that can supposedly "reverse" the Covid-19 vaccines, promoting the kits in a series of Truth Social posts that spread false claims about vaccine safety and "shedding."
December 2, 2024 at 8:43 PM
Kash Patel, Donald Trump's pick to run the FBI, has repeatedly hawked "detox" supplements that can supposedly "reverse" the Covid-19 vaccines, promoting the kits in a series of Truth Social posts that spread false claims about vaccine safety and "shedding."
Reposted by Lou Watson
A commonly used disinformation tactic is the false dilemma (also known as a false dichotomy).
A false dilemma is when the speaker insists there are only two options available--and that you must choose or the other--when, in reality, there are many other options available.
youtu.be/FdfrARIGLBg?...
A false dilemma is when the speaker insists there are only two options available--and that you must choose or the other--when, in reality, there are many other options available.
youtu.be/FdfrARIGLBg?...
Disinformation Tactics: False dilemma (False Dichotomy)
YouTube video by Cambridge Disinformation Summit
youtu.be
December 2, 2024 at 3:29 AM
A commonly used disinformation tactic is the false dilemma (also known as a false dichotomy).
A false dilemma is when the speaker insists there are only two options available--and that you must choose or the other--when, in reality, there are many other options available.
youtu.be/FdfrARIGLBg?...
A false dilemma is when the speaker insists there are only two options available--and that you must choose or the other--when, in reality, there are many other options available.
youtu.be/FdfrARIGLBg?...
This is a great long read and the threads by @klonick.bsky.social are insightful and funny (🎣🪤). I particularly love ‘you can’t bring facts to a feelings fight’ #misinformation
I’m super excited to announce I'm part of an amazing team (<3 @williambrady.bsky.social @killianmcloughlin.bsky.social @mjcrockett.bsky.social) that just published a paper in @science.org on the role of outrage in spread of misinformation
Link here:
science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Summary in🧵🔽
1/
Link here:
science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Summary in🧵🔽
1/
November 29, 2024 at 1:55 PM
This is a great long read and the threads by @klonick.bsky.social are insightful and funny (🎣🪤). I particularly love ‘you can’t bring facts to a feelings fight’ #misinformation
I’m not condoning fraud but surely this could have been overcome and justified in a media statement. Has the politics of politics gone OTT?
BREAKING: Louise Haigh has resigned as Transport Secretary following the revelation about her conviction for fraud
November 29, 2024 at 7:37 AM
I’m not condoning fraud but surely this could have been overcome and justified in a media statement. Has the politics of politics gone OTT?
This is useful and helpful in understanding a contributory media ecosystem that fuels #disinformation and fear. Thanks @katestarbird.bsky.social and team
Here's a graphic explaining how the Big Lie was seeded and mobilized into the events of January 6, 2021 through a kind of "participatory disinformation" process. Trump's "war on drugs" refrain could catalyze a similar kind of participatory propaganda and mobilization cycle.
November 28, 2024 at 4:37 PM
This is useful and helpful in understanding a contributory media ecosystem that fuels #disinformation and fear. Thanks @katestarbird.bsky.social and team
No matter the context, red flag for anybody who asserts ‘I’m the most intelligent person here’. The ability to know what you don’t know is much more highly prized.
November 28, 2024 at 3:37 PM
No matter the context, red flag for anybody who asserts ‘I’m the most intelligent person here’. The ability to know what you don’t know is much more highly prized.
Reposted by Lou Watson
Former British army soldier Daniel Khalife found guilty of spying for Iran www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Daniel Khalife: Former British soldier found guilty of spying for Iran
Khalife first contacted a man linked to Iranian intelligence soon after joining the British Army, his trial heard.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2024 at 11:12 AM
Former British army soldier Daniel Khalife found guilty of spying for Iran www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...