Unchecked: The architecture of disinformation
Misinformation and disinformation thrive in today’s technology landscape, and arguably present the greatest threat to modern society. Information architecture – the practice of designing and managing digital spaces – has an opportunity to intervene. This podcast looks at disinformation from an information architecture perspective, and considers ways to expand the practice of IA to address this new reality.
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What is Information Architecture? Information architecture is the practice of designing virtual structures – the shape and form of online spaces and digital products. When you click on a navigation menu or follow the steps in a process, you're experiencing the information architecture of a web site or digital product.
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What is disinformation? Understanding disinformation is the purpose of this podcast. We are trying to figure out exactly what it is and what it means. If information architecture is the practice of designing virtual spaces, then disinformation is something that can occupy that space to disrupt the user's experience. Alternatively, it is a way of manipulating the space (like flooding it with irrelevant facts) to achieve an end unrelated to the space's original intention.
Unchecked: The architecture of disinformation
Episode 11: Disinformation and abortion, with Dr. Ushma Upadhyay
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SYNOPSIS
Speaking to Dr. Ushma Upadhyay, Rachel and Dan dig into misinformation about abortion – who gets them, why they get them, and how they get them. You may be surprised by some of the answers. Dr. Upadhyay describes her research around abortion safety and abortion via telehealth. Rachel proposes the lens “Retraction” and Dan leans on an old favorite, “Personas”.
STORIES OF DISINFORMATION
Y2K hype
- The end of the world in Time
- Y2K Panic in Popular Mechanics
Fraud in Minnesota: A misinformation perfect storm
- Dave Weigel’s post on BlueSky
INTERVIEW
LENSES
⇒ Persona
Everyone makes assumptions about who participates, contributes to, or benefits from a system. Those assumptions are rarely challenged, and therefore become the source of or impetus for misinformation. This lens suggests unpacking assumptions is a crucial step in understanding the system.
- What are your assumptions about who is engaged with your system?
- What are your preconceived notions about who is involved?
- When you use labels to describe your users, does everyone agree on what those labels mean?
⇒ Retraction
Publishing in formal and professional venues includes the capability to correct or retract information published there. This is a crucial part of the process, as new information can change understanding. Moreover, mistakes and misinformation need to be marked as such. This lens invites you to look at the way in which your system supports retraction.
- What are the system’s built-in mechanisms that allow users to retract information?
- How is retracted information treated differently in the system?
- How does the system invite users to challenge information to kick off a retraction process?
CONFERENCE DISCOUNT CODE
Join us at the Information Architecture Conference in Philadelphia in April
Use discount code UNCHECKED to get $50 the base conference fee
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Personnel
- Dan Brown, Host
- Rachel Price, Host
- Emily Duncan, Editor
Music
- Turtle Up Fool, by Elliot
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Unchecked is a production of Curious Squid
Curious Squid is a digital design consulting firm specializing in information architecture, user experience, and product design
