Your Feed Is a Propaganda Machine
Renee DiResta on how propaganda + surveillance = the internet
Edward Bernays, in some ways the founding father of public relations, once observed, “There are invisible rulers who control the destinies of millions.” He didn’t mean kings and presidents and corporations — he meant the people who designed and deployed propaganda that created popular support (and dampened public opposition) to the “rulers” we can see.
But in the age of the internet — and of social media in particular — it’s not the PR consultants and advertising agencies who have the most power to rule. It’s tech billionaires’ algorithms and the influencers who have learned how to exploit them who shape our bespoke realities through immersive persuasion.
Social media platforms have transformed from places to connect with friends to ecosystems where propaganda thrives, creating fragmented information environments that leave users swimming in increasingly polarized — or just bizarre — content.
In this episode of Cross Tabs, Farrah Bostic speaks with
, a leading researcher on misinformation who traces her journey from concerned parent to disinformation expert. DiResta unpacks how platforms' business models prioritize engagement over truth, explains why political messaging strategies differ dramatically between left and right, and offers practical recommendations for resetting online norms beyond simple calls for media literacy.Want to be a part of the future of Cross Tabs Podcast? Here are a few simple ways to get involved:
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Resources
Edward Bernays' 1929 book introduces the concept of "invisible rulers" who shape public opinion by selling ideologies through group identity, much like selling consumer products.
Renee DiResta's book examines how today's digital influencers function as modern "invisible rulers" by authentically representing specific communities while simultaneously engineering content for algorithmic distribution.
'Shrimp, slop, spam: what counts as creativity?'
DiResta describes how AI-generated "slop content" like fake log cabins and kitchens flooded her social media feeds despite her attempts to signal disinterest through platform controls.
'Instagram 'Error' Turned Reels Into Neverending Scroll of Murder, Gore, and Violence'
The 404 Media article discusses a concerning Instagram issue where users suddenly received violent content in their Reels feeds, a phenomenon DiResta heard about directly from people before the article was published.
'Influence and Improvisation: Participatory Disinformation during the 2020 US Election'
DiResta's research documented how right-wing messaging effectively moved bottom-up from grassroots supporters through influencers to mainstream media during the 2020 election, contrasting with Democrats' top-down messaging approach.
The Lawfare Podcast "Lawfare Daily: A World Without Cesars"
DiResta mentions writing for Lawfare as part of her current work examining information ecosystems and digital influence.
Our Guest
Renée DiResta is an Associate Research Professor at Georgetown's McCourt School who studies how information spreads and distorts online. Her research examines the ecosystem of influence operations, from viral misinformation to coordinated propaganda campaigns. DiResta investigates the interplay between algorithms, influencers, and human behavior that shapes our online information environment. She has advised Congress, the State Department, and global leaders on countering digital manipulation and is the author of ‘The Invisible Rulers,’ which explores propaganda in the digital age. You can follow her work on Bluesky, Threads, and through her substack, “Agents of Influence”:
Your Host
Farrah Bostic is the founder of The Difference Engine, a strategic research and innovation consultancy. Drawing on her extensive background in research and strategy, she examines how power dynamics and data patterns shape both democratic institutions and market environments, bringing a sharp analytical perspective to the intersection of politics, data, and business.
Her incisive questioning style and ability to connect political movements with business implications makes Cross Tabs essential listening for political analysts, business leaders, and engaged citizens seeking to understand the forces shaping our political and economic landscapes.
Learn more about Farrah’s experience helping B2B and B2C companies across various industries turn audience insights into effective strategies at thedifferenceengine.co, and be sure to connect with her on LinkedIn if you’d like to discuss how The Difference Engine can help.
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