Renee DiResta
@noupside.bsky.social
🌐Studies influence, propaganda, platform design@Georgetown
✍🏼Lawfare,The Atlantic
📕Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality (invisiblerulers.com) —how influencers, algorithms, &online crowds shape public opinion
🦹🏻♀️Twitter Files supervillain
✍🏼Lawfare,The Atlantic
📕Invisible Rulers: The People Who Turn Lies Into Reality (invisiblerulers.com) —how influencers, algorithms, &online crowds shape public opinion
🦹🏻♀️Twitter Files supervillain
Pinned
Renee DiResta
@noupside.bsky.social
· Apr 15
New from me: an essay on the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, and its remarkable 30 year history of witch hunts & blacklists.
It chronicles the progression of how industries & academia went from capitulation to defiance,& what we can take from that today
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/proc...
It chronicles the progression of how industries & academia went from capitulation to defiance,& what we can take from that today
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/proc...
It’s really hard to overstate how much MAGA X is occupying a full-on alternate reality at this point.
This bullshit lore is then going to pop up again when Elon pours $$$ into the 2026 and 2028 elections to “make sure THEY don’t cheat again” or to “stop the color revolutions” that never happened.
This bullshit lore is then going to pop up again when Elon pours $$$ into the 2026 and 2028 elections to “make sure THEY don’t cheat again” or to “stop the color revolutions” that never happened.
January 3, 2026 at 6:06 PM
It’s really hard to overstate how much MAGA X is occupying a full-on alternate reality at this point.
This bullshit lore is then going to pop up again when Elon pours $$$ into the 2026 and 2028 elections to “make sure THEY don’t cheat again” or to “stop the color revolutions” that never happened.
This bullshit lore is then going to pop up again when Elon pours $$$ into the 2026 and 2028 elections to “make sure THEY don’t cheat again” or to “stop the color revolutions” that never happened.
Grok becoming a mass mainstream nudify app with baked-in viral distribution was entirely predictable; the only surprise is how long it took.
So much of the risk scenario for this assumed mainstream AI model creators would limit its output and this would be a targeted harassment/niche model issue.
So much of the risk scenario for this assumed mainstream AI model creators would limit its output and this would be a targeted harassment/niche model issue.
January 2, 2026 at 5:32 AM
Grok becoming a mass mainstream nudify app with baked-in viral distribution was entirely predictable; the only surprise is how long it took.
So much of the risk scenario for this assumed mainstream AI model creators would limit its output and this would be a targeted harassment/niche model issue.
So much of the risk scenario for this assumed mainstream AI model creators would limit its output and this would be a targeted harassment/niche model issue.
Reposted by Renee DiResta
Having Grok issue an “apology” is not just insulting and stupid (obviously Grok cannot actually “regret” anything, deeply or otherwise) but cowardly: It asks us to assign responsibility to an unconscious piece of software rather than the humans and institutions who should actually be blamed.
January 2, 2026 at 3:12 AM
Having Grok issue an “apology” is not just insulting and stupid (obviously Grok cannot actually “regret” anything, deeply or otherwise) but cowardly: It asks us to assign responsibility to an unconscious piece of software rather than the humans and institutions who should actually be blamed.
Reposted by Renee DiResta
If you are a resident of California, the state now has a portal where you can demand deletion of your personal data from 500+ registered data brokers with a single request form, for free.
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
January 2, 2026 at 2:26 AM
If you are a resident of California, the state now has a portal where you can demand deletion of your personal data from 500+ registered data brokers with a single request form, for free.
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
The algebra crisis is real
January 2, 2026 at 2:31 AM
The algebra crisis is real
Reposted by Renee DiResta
🧵The Minnesota daycare situation is escalating. Yes, there’s been fraud—the grain of truth here.
We now have a combo of “stolen election” + “eating the pets” rumors: rage, participation
Not investigation.
Journalism: evidence→conclusion
Influence: belief→justification
www.fox9.com/news/somali-...
We now have a combo of “stolen election” + “eating the pets” rumors: rage, participation
Not investigation.
Journalism: evidence→conclusion
Influence: belief→justification
www.fox9.com/news/somali-...
Somali-run day care in Minneapolis broken into, vandalized
Someone broke into a Somali-run day care in Minneapolis earlier this week, causing "extensive vandalism," according to Nokomis Daycare Center.
www.fox9.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:06 PM
🧵The Minnesota daycare situation is escalating. Yes, there’s been fraud—the grain of truth here.
We now have a combo of “stolen election” + “eating the pets” rumors: rage, participation
Not investigation.
Journalism: evidence→conclusion
Influence: belief→justification
www.fox9.com/news/somali-...
We now have a combo of “stolen election” + “eating the pets” rumors: rage, participation
Not investigation.
Journalism: evidence→conclusion
Influence: belief→justification
www.fox9.com/news/somali-...
I went to a house party last night with this little girl who is now 5, but this pandemic NYE series always makes me smile when Apple photos resurfaces it.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
January 1, 2026 at 6:09 PM
I went to a house party last night with this little girl who is now 5, but this pandemic NYE series always makes me smile when Apple photos resurfaces it.
Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
Reposted by Renee DiResta
Just released a great discussion with @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social about RFK Junior and the danger of making "natural" the centerpiece of your worldview.
Glenn Beck's AI George Washington makes an appearance as well!
Glenn Beck's AI George Washington makes an appearance as well!
Robert Kennedy’s bizarre obsession with ‘natural’ isn’t going to make Americans healthier
Historian of fitness Natalia Mehlman Petrzela on why an obese president has a health secretary who moralizes about wellness
plus.flux.community
December 31, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Just released a great discussion with @nataliapetrzela.bsky.social about RFK Junior and the danger of making "natural" the centerpiece of your worldview.
Glenn Beck's AI George Washington makes an appearance as well!
Glenn Beck's AI George Washington makes an appearance as well!
🧵The Minnesota daycare situation is escalating. Yes, there’s been fraud—the grain of truth here.
We now have a combo of “stolen election” + “eating the pets” rumors: rage, participation
Not investigation.
Journalism: evidence→conclusion
Influence: belief→justification
www.fox9.com/news/somali-...
We now have a combo of “stolen election” + “eating the pets” rumors: rage, participation
Not investigation.
Journalism: evidence→conclusion
Influence: belief→justification
www.fox9.com/news/somali-...
Somali-run day care in Minneapolis broken into, vandalized
Someone broke into a Somali-run day care in Minneapolis earlier this week, causing "extensive vandalism," according to Nokomis Daycare Center.
www.fox9.com
December 31, 2025 at 8:06 PM
🧵The Minnesota daycare situation is escalating. Yes, there’s been fraud—the grain of truth here.
We now have a combo of “stolen election” + “eating the pets” rumors: rage, participation
Not investigation.
Journalism: evidence→conclusion
Influence: belief→justification
www.fox9.com/news/somali-...
We now have a combo of “stolen election” + “eating the pets” rumors: rage, participation
Not investigation.
Journalism: evidence→conclusion
Influence: belief→justification
www.fox9.com/news/somali-...
The lunatics are running the asylum. Everyone who dealt with this asshole knew what he would do if he had power. It’s up to state & local officials AND PARENTS to push back as hard as they can.
From me, 2016. Even Devin Nunes realized we were headed to insanity:
www.fastcompany.com/3059742/soci...
From me, 2016. Even Devin Nunes realized we were headed to insanity:
www.fastcompany.com/3059742/soci...
December 29, 2025 at 2:01 AM
The lunatics are running the asylum. Everyone who dealt with this asshole knew what he would do if he had power. It’s up to state & local officials AND PARENTS to push back as hard as they can.
From me, 2016. Even Devin Nunes realized we were headed to insanity:
www.fastcompany.com/3059742/soci...
From me, 2016. Even Devin Nunes realized we were headed to insanity:
www.fastcompany.com/3059742/soci...
I hired professional fact checkers for my book bc it tells the story of how Matt Taibbi and Michael Shellenberger *lied about me.* Hired pros prev at The New Yorker. It was very expensive! My book also went through 6 rounds of legal review. So they haven’t sued me. Read it here:
Invisiblerulers.com
Invisiblerulers.com
December 28, 2025 at 6:55 PM
I hired professional fact checkers for my book bc it tells the story of how Matt Taibbi and Michael Shellenberger *lied about me.* Hired pros prev at The New Yorker. It was very expensive! My book also went through 6 rounds of legal review. So they haven’t sued me. Read it here:
Invisiblerulers.com
Invisiblerulers.com
This AI slop Memesita website just makes up quotes. I’m constantly fake-quoted now by clowns who don’t exist alongside completely fake people who don’t exist on a website run by fake editorial staff who don’t exist.
Some other AI or some bad faith dipshit is going to treat this as real. 🙄
Some other AI or some bad faith dipshit is going to treat this as real. 🙄
December 28, 2025 at 4:08 PM
This AI slop Memesita website just makes up quotes. I’m constantly fake-quoted now by clowns who don’t exist alongside completely fake people who don’t exist on a website run by fake editorial staff who don’t exist.
Some other AI or some bad faith dipshit is going to treat this as real. 🙄
Some other AI or some bad faith dipshit is going to treat this as real. 🙄
If you’d like to feel old, know that there is an entire collection of YouTube videos of people reacting to songs on this album. From like the last two years. And they’re all in their twenties.
Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden or Alice In Chains.
This is bc Pretty Hate Machine missed it by a year tbh.
This is bc Pretty Hate Machine missed it by a year tbh.
December 28, 2025 at 5:04 AM
If you’d like to feel old, know that there is an entire collection of YouTube videos of people reacting to songs on this album. From like the last two years. And they’re all in their twenties.
Reposted by Renee DiResta
The “tradwives” whose names you recognize are careerists.
December 28, 2025 at 2:04 AM
The “tradwives” whose names you recognize are careerists.
Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden or Alice In Chains.
This is bc Pretty Hate Machine missed it by a year tbh.
This is bc Pretty Hate Machine missed it by a year tbh.
December 28, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn't Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Soundgarden or Alice In Chains.
This is bc Pretty Hate Machine missed it by a year tbh.
This is bc Pretty Hate Machine missed it by a year tbh.
lol damn hard to decide whether this or his $10M lawsuit against Rep Kamlager-Dove is the more frivolous of Matt Taibbi’s lawsuits. (she read headlines referencing his sex pesty memoir)
Matt Taibbi is suing @eoinhiggins.bsky.social in a very dumb defamation suit.
If claims this nonspecific and broad were actionable under defamation law, Taibbi would be financially bankrupt in addition to intellectually bankrupt.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
If claims this nonspecific and broad were actionable under defamation law, Taibbi would be financially bankrupt in addition to intellectually bankrupt.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Complaint – #1 in Taibbi v. Higgins (S.D.N.Y., 1:25-cv-09511) – CourtListener.com
COMPLAINT against BOLD TYPE BOOKS, Eoin Higgins. (Filing Fee $ 405.00, Receipt Number ANYSDC-31994120)Document filed by Matt Taibbi..(Garson, Robert) (Entered: 11/13/2025)
storage.courtlistener.com
December 27, 2025 at 11:20 PM
lol damn hard to decide whether this or his $10M lawsuit against Rep Kamlager-Dove is the more frivolous of Matt Taibbi’s lawsuits. (she read headlines referencing his sex pesty memoir)
Reposted by Renee DiResta
Some ~personal news~
Yes, I'm being sued by Matt Taibbi
Does that make me the realest free speech warrior?
open.substack.com
December 27, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Some ~personal news~
Christmas Caturday featuring Secret/Shadow (the kids call her by different names). She’s very patient, they were putting bow remnants on her and taking photos this morning. Behemoth would never.
December 27, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Christmas Caturday featuring Secret/Shadow (the kids call her by different names). She’s very patient, they were putting bow remnants on her and taking photos this morning. Behemoth would never.
Like @mmasnick.bsky.social, I also said Breton's letter to Elon was extraordinarily stupid, and had very different views on how to handle antivax propaganda than CCDH. But that was CCDH's speech. The censorship is the state action happening now.
This is the right take:
www.ms.now/opinion/marc...
This is the right take:
www.ms.now/opinion/marc...
Opinion | Marco Rubio is using real censorship to fight fake censorship
Mike Masnick: In the name of protecting free speech, the U.S. government just banned five Europeans from entering the country because it doesn’t like their speech.
www.ms.now
December 27, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Like @mmasnick.bsky.social, I also said Breton's letter to Elon was extraordinarily stupid, and had very different views on how to handle antivax propaganda than CCDH. But that was CCDH's speech. The censorship is the state action happening now.
This is the right take:
www.ms.now/opinion/marc...
This is the right take:
www.ms.now/opinion/marc...
Reposted by Renee DiResta
Mike Benz's stupidity would be funnier if he hadn't been one of the loudest voices lying about USAID--lies that Elon Musk bought and then brought into the Trump administration, and which have since led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
Elon’s white knight “cyber” simp Mike Benz/Frame Game tries to defend Russia, is loudly and stupidly wrong. A play in 3 acts.
December 27, 2025 at 12:38 AM
Mike Benz's stupidity would be funnier if he hadn't been one of the loudest voices lying about USAID--lies that Elon Musk bought and then brought into the Trump administration, and which have since led to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people.
Once upon a time, govt officials demonstrated leadership when rumors went viral after crises. They tried to prevent mobs from falsely accusing people, and took authority seriously.
Now they pile on.
NYT quoted my Substack about rumors and propaganda (🎁 link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/t...
Now they pile on.
NYT quoted my Substack about rumors and propaganda (🎁 link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/t...
Government Officials Once Stopped False Accusations After Violence. Now, Some Join In.
www.nytimes.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Once upon a time, govt officials demonstrated leadership when rumors went viral after crises. They tried to prevent mobs from falsely accusing people, and took authority seriously.
Now they pile on.
NYT quoted my Substack about rumors and propaganda (🎁 link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/t...
Now they pile on.
NYT quoted my Substack about rumors and propaganda (🎁 link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/25/t...
Elon’s white knight “cyber” simp Mike Benz/Frame Game tries to defend Russia, is loudly and stupidly wrong. A play in 3 acts.
December 26, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Elon’s white knight “cyber” simp Mike Benz/Frame Game tries to defend Russia, is loudly and stupidly wrong. A play in 3 acts.
Reposted by Renee DiResta
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
December 26, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Reposted by Renee DiResta
On today's Lawfare Daily, Lawfare contributors look back on the national security news events of the year and their coverage of it.
In this episode, you’ll hear from @nkorpett.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, @mollyroberts.bsky.social,
In this episode, you’ll hear from @nkorpett.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, @mollyroberts.bsky.social,
December 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
On today's Lawfare Daily, Lawfare contributors look back on the national security news events of the year and their coverage of it.
In this episode, you’ll hear from @nkorpett.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, @mollyroberts.bsky.social,
In this episode, you’ll hear from @nkorpett.bsky.social, @annabower.bsky.social, @rparloff.bsky.social, @mollyroberts.bsky.social,
Reposted by Renee DiResta
For 2026, media could commit to not laundering the administration’s talking points in their headlines. The EU bans were not triggered by censorship but about misleading X users.
December 25, 2025 at 3:55 PM
For 2026, media could commit to not laundering the administration’s talking points in their headlines. The EU bans were not triggered by censorship but about misleading X users.