Episode 037: The Truth About Disinformation – An Interview with Bob Pearson, Author of “Crafting Persuasion”

Guy Fawkes mask

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU?

We live in the most connected time in our history. With mobile devices, search, mainstream and alternative media, social media, streaming, and gaming – people’s access to information, content, and news is unprecedented. In addition, the barrier to entry to create and publish content is perhaps the lowest it has ever been. However, it has become increasingly difficult for consumers of content (all of us) to distinguish trustworthy information from misinformation or disinformation. Bob Pearson helps us to understand what misinformation and disinformation is, how to identify it, techniques for thinking critically, and where to find reliable information.

GUEST BIO

Bob Pearson is an expert in the areas of communication, marketing, social and digital media, as well as current and future trends in all of those areas. He is the author of four books, including his latest, “Crafting Persuasion”. He currently serves as Senior Technology Advisor to the State Dept’s Global Engagement Center – whose mission is to help the Federal Government recognize, understand, expose, and counter foreign state and non-state propaganda and disinformation efforts aimed at undermining or influencing the policies, security, or stability of the United States, and its allies.

In this interview

00:59 What’s in it for me? / Why this interview? Why now? (Purpose of the interview)
01:56 About Bob Pearson
03:58 The definition of Disinformation
04:24 The major players in the disinformation space
04:58 The definition of Misinformation
05:30 Examples of Misinformation and Disinformation
07:07 The goals of Disinformation campaigns
08:35 Disinformation tactics
10:45 The 1, 9, 90 Model of Influence
12:14 The Disinformation landscape, and how “Disinformers” work
14:12 Is there Disinformation in the mainstream media?
15:19 How do we find reliable information?
17:08 How to architect an influence campaign
19:31 What Bob considers reliable information
21:41 How can we identify Disinformation?
23:19 What are deep fakes?
25:22 What social media platforms (Facebook, Google, Twitter, and Youtube) are doing to shut down Disinformation
27:46 How do we think critically about information?
31:27 A really sensitive question…freedom and censorship
33:23 Current and future trends playing out — we can actually fight Disinformation, here’s how…
34:53 The advice Bob gives to the U.S. Government about Disinformation
36:01 What we can actually do day-to-day to “Turn down the volume” Disinformation
37:00 One secret of Bob’s success
38:23 Bob’s greatest lesson in life and business – do good…today!
40:06 Bob’s one piece of advice to the world – we’re ALL the same…
41:27 What Bob wants most for his life – impacting as many lives as possible
42:50 Final thoughts – Influence, analytics, and continual learning
45:14 Where to find Bob Pearson online
45:53 A beautiful story

To connect with Bob

Website(s): nextpracticegroup.com
https://www.craftingpersuasion.com/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bobpearson/
Twitter: @bobpearson1845

To connect with Mark

https://markabotros.com
Instagram: @markabotros
Twitter: @markbotros
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/businessstrategist/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mbotros/
Email: mark@markabotros.com
The LIFE WORKS Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-life-works-podcast/id1475582936

Podcast Music Credit

Track: Memories — INOSSI [Audio Library Release]
Music provided by Audio Library Plus
Watch: https://youtu.be/GePAKPB6vQY
Free Download / Stream: https://alplus.io/Memories

Photo Credit

Adnan Khan