Tribe, Truth, and Technology: Barbara McQuade on the Disinformation Crisis

In this episode of Hearsay Culture, Dave Levine speaks with Barbara McQuade about her book Attack from Within, exploring how deliberate falsehoods spread through politics, media, and technology to manipulate public opinion and undermine democratic institutions. McQuade draws on her experience as a federal prosecutor to explain the differences between misinformation and disinformation, the psychology that makes people susceptible to both, and the growing role of social media platforms and algorithms in amplifying harmful narratives. The discussion also examines the tension between combating disinformation and protecting free speech, including the role of Section 230 and possible reforms focused on transparency […]