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Professor Amanda Sturgill

@drsturg.bsky.social

Truthmonger. I write books, teach students and make podcasts about you being smarter about misinformation. #WeAreAltGov #DetectingDeception https://bit.ly/UnSpunPod

2127 Posts51316 Follower779 Folgt
Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · 3d ago

Today in detecting deception is a straw man. It's where you pretend someone said something they didn't because it's easier for you to argue against the straw man than with what they actually said. It's a tactic in a bad faith argument.

Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · 2d ago

This makes me sad - the Army bands did some fun and clever stuff with their socials. (And I know nothing about anything, but given that part of their mission is "to promote the Army and national interests, build public trust and confidence," this seems like an odd choice.)

Screenshot of Instagram text from US Army band account. Embedded text reads in compliance with the recently published army directive optimizing social media all US Army band Pershing's own social media accounts will be closed no later than August 7, 2026. Tuesday connected to Persian's own please join our email list parentheses we push out monthly email RE: concerts, workshops, ticketing, etc.) http://usarmyband.com/contact-us #join and the US Army bands concert schedule vacancy, announcements concert ticketing featured events and weather cancellations can be found on our website. Https://:us Armyband.com.
Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · 3d ago

Today in detecting deception is a straw man. It's where you pretend someone said something they didn't because it's easier for you to argue against the straw man than with what they actually said. It's a tactic in a bad faith argument.

Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · 3d ago

If there's no evidence of a crime, it's good that prosecution drops charges. BUT, being arrested and charged in itself brings real cost in time, attorney fees, etc. The THREAT of this is used to stifle dissent. If you think dropped charges are the system working, your privilege is showing.

Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · last wk.

This week's UnSpun episode actually goes through the history of FB on fact checking...shame I didn't wait a couple of days.

Adam Keiper@adamkeiper.com · last wk.

A decade ago, Facebook was so worried about rising misinformation that it paid various news outlets to hire writers specifically tasked with publishing Snopes-like fact-checks. Today, the company is leaping into bed with a purveyor of misinformation to toy with a tool known for getting facts wrong.

The top part of a Newsmax press release dated 28 July 2026 headlined "Newsmax and Meta Enter AI Content Partnership." The screenshotted text of the press release reads: BOCA RATON, FL / ACCESS Newswire / July 28, 2026 / Newsmax Inc. (NYSE:NMAX) ("Newsmax" or the "Company") announced today that the Company has entered into an AI content partnership with Meta Platforms ("Meta"). Under the agreement, Meta will have access to Newsmax's digital news content. Meta will be able to draw upon Newsmax's significant current reporting as well as archived content across its platforms to support AI queries across Meta's apps and devices. "Newsmax applauds the significant resources Meta is putting into AI to keep America at the forefront of this emerging technology," commented Chris Ruddy, CEO of Newsmax. "We are pleased to work with Meta to help ensure users have access to timely, high-quality journalism through AI technologies."
Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · last wk.

I definitely have feelings about this, but I'm not sure they are coherent enough to share - something about his phone being taken at all. Anyway, here's a gift link. What do you think? www.nytimes.com/2026/07/28/u...

A U.S. Citizen Deleted His Phone’s Data. Now He Faces a Felony Charge.

Federal prosecutors charged a man returning to the United States with obstruction because he gave them a passcode that erased his smartphone during a customs search.

nytimes.com

Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · last wk.

A small preview, since the temp protected status for Haitians ended yesterday. Strategically spreading rumors, like when the presidential and vice-presidential Republican candidates said that immigrants were eating pets in 2024 (false), is just 1 of 5 sabotage tactics I go through in the episode.

Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · last wk.

What does the government feel so broken right now? What do techniques outlined in a 1944 OSS sabotage manual have to do with it? Find out in this week's episode of UnSpun, here or where you pod. bit.ly/UnSpunPod

Cover art from OSS Simple Sabotage Field Manual. Words on a blue paper background.
Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · last wk.

Depressing: So many students now assume they have to create their work with AI because they think it will do better than they can. With kindness, I say: 1. You are selling tomorrow's steak for a mccheese today. 2. Risk now is success down the road, as you will learn to get even better results.

Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · last wk.

In the name of all that is good and blessed, it's White House Correspondents' Association NOT Correspondence Association (at which maybe there would be food and writing letters to the White House?). Maybe staff at the White House staying late with a pizza while they answer letters?

Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · last wk.

Monday challenge: Express your disdain better. Instead of "Your neck looks funny" try "Your [action] caused [result]" Here's why: It's easy to ignore personal attacks as being uninformed grievances of cranks. It's harder to ignore facts.

Professor Amanda Sturgill@drsturg.bsky.social · 2w ago

This book isn't brand new, but it's a pretty engaging look at being the lawyer for the New York Times (and used copies are like $2). www.amazon.com/Truth-Our-Ti...

Amazon.com

amazon.com

Anna Bower@annabower.bsky.social · 2w ago

BREAKING: Justice Department agrees to withdraw subpoenas issued to New York Times reporters in leak investigation related to new Air Force One jet. Withdrawal of subpoenas follows hearing before NY federal judge, who indicated he was inclined to quash the subpoenas.