Renee Diresta recent interview on "Muh Russia" election meddling

Election Meddling DIGG, con't. 1-23-19

//http://radiowest.kuer.org/post/disinformation-report c 52 minutes, sorry can't embed//

With all the hot water New Knowledge is in, you'd think their Head of Research, Renee Diresta, would by lying low. But no, she's out giving breezy interviews like this one. There is another interview from 1-4-19 attached, plus an article describing NK's problems. In two recent interviews, Diresta does not address NK's problems or the role she played in creating them.

Diresta is the Head of Research at New Knowledge; Head of Policy at Data for Democracy. She talks about how social media can be weaponized for commercial or political purposes. Says she got into studying disinfo while an advocate for Vaccinate California, a group that seeks to make vaccinations mandatory. Said a small group on social media had an inordinate influence on negative public opinion about vaxxing.

She wants to know: What amplifies public opinion, especially when it comes to what she considers conspiracy theories.

Says it's less about people and more about the system that influences them, how it uses "tribal reinforcement"–fostering a sense of connectedness with others–to keep us on-site, so it can monetize us. Talks about "conspiracy cross-pollination" comes about because social media promotes it, such that people who are anti-vax find their way into anti-chemtrails groups (etc)…"or into far-Right anti-government conspiracies, as well":

"It's because the recommendation engine is actively promoting things like Pizzagate and QAnon to people who believe in more of the sort of pseudoscience and traditionally…Lefty conspiracies."

~9:15

Interviewer then shifts the focus to the Internet Research Agency (IRA)–the Russian group that Diresta and other fake researchers claim influenced the 2016 and 2018 elections. [HE CLEARLY PRESUPPOSES THAT IRA INTERFERENCE IS REAL, MAKING DIRESTA'S TASK REALLY EASY.]

Other topics

~14 How social media can radicalize people.

~16 refers to her "disinformation report" for the SSCI (not the real name–see >>4949614 PB ("Tactics & Tropes…")*

~18 She studied Russian for 3 years

~19 NK & Graphika/Oxford did research on Russian interference using data from SSCI; both arrived at "many of the same conclusions"

~22 Describes the IRA (from her POV); then how it engages people [remember this is ALL LIES, but she sounds convincing]

~26 Claims there is special IRA targeting of blacks & latinos not to vote DEM

~34 Tries to make a link between the GRU & IRA wo citing evidence

~35 Says IRA "infiltrated activist communities"; wanted to "drive people to the streets" [some of what is discussed sounds like Antifa marches]

-38 These are KGB techniques [HEY, HOW DOES SHE KNOW THIS?]

~41 Spy-trade craft aspect: Find someone's vulnerability and exploit it

~42 How do we tell organic vs non-organic social media activity? We can't, not really. Most activity is organic. [THIS IS AN EXAMPLE OF HER SMARTS–SHE DOESN'T OVERREACH]

~46 Refers to "IRA memes" from "Russian pages" [NO SAUCE AS USUAL]

~48 "It's an arms race." Groups pushing propaganda like IRA will try to influence people; social media will counter. She wants to "fight disinfo" with real info. [DOES SHE HAVE ANY?]

————–

Several fascinating things about this interview

1. Interviewer accepts and promotes "muh Russia" narrative (that the IRA has been actively engaged in election meddling).

2. Interviewer never asks Diresta about the recent NK scandal over election meddling in the Alabama Senate Race. It's amazing that he can completely ignore what is a very public scandal in which she is directly involved.

3. Diresta is a very smooth, fluent speaker; she moves effortlessly from truth to lies and back again, never missing a beat–which makes her a formidable opponent in the world of propaganda warfare. Not to be underestimated.

4. Every time she says "IRA" just sub out "Dem party" and you'll have useful info. Is she deluded or a good liar? She's in very deep; is she a spook?

5. Would love to hear how she would do against a skeptical interviewer.

*To "learn more" (from NK website–buyer beware),check out: https://www.newknowledge.com/articles/the-disinformation-report

Previous DIGGS on Renee Diresta

>>4897038 pb, >>4858211 pb, >>4406880bpb

>>4961799

"The Information War": Sam Harris interviews Renee Diresta

"Muh Russia" Election Meddling DIGG, con't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SXy6MsmFBc, ~1:20min

1-4-19, PAGE 1 of 3

Interview begins around 10min mark.

Brief highlights below; details on pages 2 and 3.

Key Points (see notes for timeposts):

• She focuses on 'the spread of hyper-partisan and 'destructive' narratives across social networks"

• often boring because of the need to skirt what this implies (that these narratives should be suppressed)

• Harris says Diresta is a member of the CFR. Wonder what their agenda is?

• She is also a Truman National Security Project Security Fellow. (What's that?)

• There is an interesting exchange where Harris asks whether the Russian 2016 disinfo is truly real, leading to this exchange (~27mins):

''H: is there ANY basis for doubt about that at this point?''

''D: (testily) Nope.''

''H: This is crystal clear?….''

''D: (tight-lipped) It HAPPENED. There's really nothing else to say about it. The Intelligence agencies know it happened, foreign governments know it happened, researchers know it happened. The platforms acknowledge it happened. Sure, there's some small number of people who continues to live like ostriches, but that doesn't mean it didn't happen.''

• She mentions Q, Pizzagate & conspiracy theories in the same sentence (as in her 1-23-19 interview); must be a talking point.

• Mentions Project Lahkta; DIG topic??

• Pretty obviously wants the govt to regulate social media & more self-policing from them: "We'd need something that does create a deterrent….the sense that this sort of thing will not be tolerated"

• We need this because "these operations are geared to feed hatred and increase polarization."

Previous DIGGS on Renee Diresta

>>4897038 pb, >>4858211 pb, >>4406880 pb

>>4961811

Moar Detailed Notes (Harris interviewing Renee Diresta)

"Muh Russia" Election Meddling DIGG, con't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SXy6MsmFBc PAGE 2 OF 3

Diresta investigates the spread of hyper-partisan and 'destructive' narratives across social networks." Has coauthored report on the "Russian disinfo campaign before and since 2016 election." Member of the CFR.

Has advised politicians, policy makers…Holds "degrees" in computer science and political science from SUNY [Those are Bachelors degrees–see her Linked-In profile.] Truman National Security Project Security Fellow. "Authority" on Russian influence campaign.

Tristan Harris recommended her to him. Renee and he met in 2017; she'd written a story about bots, he focused on impact of social networks. He has been called the "social conscience of Silicon Valley."

Focus today: on Russian bots and social media policy. She tells the story of her involvement in vaxx advocacy when enrolling her child in school. Wanted to eliminate opt-out possibility. "Discovered" activists and manipulation to dominate the narrative. Discovered fake personas introduced after a bill was introduced to make vaxxes compulsory.

Harris asks how she knows they were fake. She says because they were created within days of the bill being introduced. [DOES THIS MAKE THEM FAKE?] New accounts were created to dominate the conversation. She says the activism is real but it's overlayed by manipulative tactics.

Next asked by someone in Obama admin to look at online ISIS tactics after writing an article on her "research." Focus on radicalization pathways. Wanted to know what was happening and what they could do about it. Russia came later.

~18 Q from Harris about difs in social media platform reactions to taking down objectionable content like ISIS beheadings–how similar are they? Should they be censored? (This was in 2015.)…..

Harris: Are these platforms publishers? Can they moderate?

Diresta: At the time, they didn't want to be publishers. That is changing. She thinks the public wants them to be more accountable now….speaks of the small number of platforms and how it lends itself to effectice manipulation….one problem: outrage gets clicks. So companies use it.

~26. Talks about Pizzagate as an example (and how conspiracy types could be drawn into new conspiracies with suggestions on the platforms).

"And then, soon enough, QAnon started to show up in the recommendation engine…And so the question becomes, Where is the line?…So where is the responsibility? Should we have the recommendation engines not service that kind of content? Or is even making the suggestion a form of censorship? These are the types of questions we'll see in 2019."

~27. Harris changes the focus to Russian interference in the US 2016 election. Mentioned "Tactics & Tropes report." He notes that many people–like Trump supporters–don't buy into this idea, think it's fake news. Maybe the best of part of the interview (see notes on p. 1); she's not AT ALL happy with this line of inquiry. Vehement that the Russian interference was real, but cites NO EVIDENCE that proves it (appeal to authority instead).

………

~30. H observes that "it happened" to favor Trump, not HRC. He continues along these lines and asks her about the Internet Research Agency. She is now comfortable again; goes back into her spiel, similar to other interview. Says Russian bots were created with different "personalities" to create a tribal response (attract people to bond with one another).

[Talks a lot about IRA; some things she said could be true but it's hard to assess; listen if you want & decide for yourself.]

>>4961817

Moar Detailed Notes (Harris interviewing Renee Diresta)

"Muh Russia" Election Meddling DIGG, con't.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0SXy6MsmFBc PAGE 3 of 3

~32. 2015: the IRA/Russians turned their attention to the US.

Project Lakhta in 2015: goal was to develop bonds, relationships with Americans. Later, they used slides to bring in divisive/exploitative material. Wove in their support for Trump and opposition to HRC. Long boring part because it's mostly lies.

~54: Discussion about this stuff as information warfare. She says "the adversary" sees it that way, so "we" have to. Was "encouraged" by Sen. Warner, who has "put out a number of calls to regular social media."…

Diresta does not think that "we" (the US to other countries? to terrorists?) are doing information warfare. [REALLY??]

~57. "We'd need something that does create a deterrent….the sense that this sort of thing will not be tolerated." [She thinks enemies take advantage of our free speech system.]

They talk about free speech; Harris favors free speech but asks, "What if it gets 10x worse?"

~58. She expresses dismay; doesn't seem optimistic. [LAYING THE GROUNDWORK FOR ADVOCATING CENSORSHIP] "There are these huge "cognitive vulnerablities…because of a shared affinity"

"I think there needs to be some kind of education." Went to Estonia & Sweden, where (she says) they've been dealing a lot with foreign propaganda. [???]

~1:01: When asked if she thinks it's up to each individual to develop the skills to resist propaganda, she says that she thinks we have to be "in communication with the government." [POLITE ALLUSION TO BIG BROTHER APPROACH] Says there was a DARPA program to explore social manipulation and MEMETIC WARFARE (2012-2015). People thought it was "creepy" and the program was shut down.

Harris suddenly veers off into an anti-Trump rant, talking about how we're now living in a world where it's an "epistemological free-for-all," implying just about everything he says is a lie. "We understand the incentives that govern this."

She is sympathetic: "I think that's true" Goes on to talk about fake news, which is a problem because "these operations are geared to feed hatred and increase polarization." More Trump bashing….

Harris: Issue of information warfare key: "These issues have to be front and center…in the next election cycle". How to make a prominant concern?

[HERE's HER CHANCE AND SHE TAKES IT]

~1:07 Diresta: "We've already seen that some social media regulation that is going to play in the next election." Speaks of anti-trust. Wants regulation "that gets at the problems that matter." Talks about Diamonds & Silk situation; not impressed with the idea that conservative bias is a real problem. She wants to go back to the problem of targeting blacks (discouraging them from voting).

~1:13 "The platforms have to be full partners in the solution, because they're the first line of defense."

The key takeaway? "You are not immune." She thought a lot of it was funny when she was reading it. Just didn't like the idea that it came from a Russian troll farm; it was pretty innocuous. Says they target lots of different people.

Harris laments the fact that so many reports are not done by real reporters but just bloggers, etc. She more or less agrees. [COMMON PEOPLE AS REPORTERS JUST DON'T CUT IT.]

>>4961820

The Biggest Democrat Expert on Russian Trolls was a Russian Troll

"Muh Russia" Election Meddling DIGG, con't.

1-2-19

]]]The following article needs posting for two reasons:]]]

(1) It's not in QResearch archive (DIGGERS can use)

(2) It was published 2 days before the attached Renee Diresta interview

In her Jan 4 interview, Diresta emphatically claims that the Russian election interference narrative is not just a theory but a proven fact:

"It HAPPENED. There's really nothing else to say about it. The Intelligence agencies know it happened, foreign governments know it happened, researchers know it happened. The platforms acknowledge it happened. When the Democrats and the media wanted to prove that Russian trolls were everywhere, and supporting Republicans, they turned to Jonathon Morgan and Renee DiResta."

In another interview two weeks on Jan 23 (attached), Diresta again ignores the Alabama scandal–and the fact that New Knowledge engaged in exactly the same kind of tactics which they accuse the Russians of engaging it.

COMPARE and CONTRAST.

Excerpt

Morgan and DiResta had originally been part of Obama’s futile effort to fight ISIS on social media, before discovering a much more lucrative field. ISIS was losing on the battlefield and the Democrats were losing elections. The Hillary campaign had hatched a conspiracy theory blaming its loss on Russian trolls And Morgan and DiResta soon became the experts providing the data linking Republicans to Russian trolls

They invented the Russian conspiracy, then they faked the crimes.

Every time there was a story on Russian election interference, Morgan would show up on CNN or NBC. And his message was the same, the Russian bots were everywhere and they were a major threat.

……….

https://canadafreepress.com/article/the-biggest-democrat-expert-on-russian-trolls-was-a-russian-troll

>>4961860

moar than we ever wanted to know….

>>4961865

>>4961829

Alas, doesn't take much to alter the graphic. But it's a great idea.

>>4961899

>>4961912

Here fren looked the link up, I wanted it too

1-29-19

Clinton stresses actions over words when it comes to Puerto Rico’s recovery

Clinton stresses actions over words when it comes to Puerto Rico’s recovery

Foundation bearing the former president’s name announced commitments from local nonprofits during event held in San Juan

Foundation bearing the former president’s name announced commitments from local nonprofits during event held in San Juan.

…………….

https://www.elnuevodia.com/english/english/nota/clintonstressesactionsoverwordswhenitcomestopuertoricosrecovery-2473771/

>>4961960

How is it detrimental? What happens?

>>4962028

Exactly right anon. This is the end of the line. Here we stand.

>>4962050

I do hope to get a little sleep tonight. Got excited by the digg and sort of "forget" to sleep. Until now. But always nice to be here, frens.

>>4962053

Same to you friend. Content to be here, comfy.

>>4962081

Map would be great. Mine's getting marked up!

After marinating in NK all day, I'm thinking these guys are really deep in–DS, maybe all spooks.

Listening to Diresta: she is one smooth customer. Only time she was off her game is when she was asked whether she was sure about Russian meddling. She did NOT like that one bit. She just said it's a fact, no sauce.

I'd love to see here with a real journalist but she's too smart for that.

I don't know whether I realized she is CFR until today; she's been in since at least 2006. That report they put out for the SSCI is such junk–all smoke and mirrors (last night's KEK). I'll read the rest on your post and send you another reply. There was an earlier post on Albright. Yours?

>>4962081

Haha, if I'd read moar I wouldn't have asked you that last question….

Re vax: Diresta is big on that, talked a lot about it. "how she got her start"; then ISIS. Wonder how much she knows about ISIS….

next installment in a few minutes….

>>4962081

Tow Center targets extreme "right wing" groups

NK targets Russian bots/ops

Methods IDENTICAL

They are fighting to hand onto the narrative

I'm guessing the reports were paid for by GGV; $11mil given to NK as a startup. In some article I was looking at. Sound familiar?

But why doesn't the SSCI want to pay? It's either optics or legalities. There must be so much hidden stuff with SSCI. BTW, even wonder what kind of data SSCI supplied to NK? Was is "raw" data or massaged data?

I'm betting GIGO.

That report Renee et al wrote has ZERO analysis or stats just conclusions. Last night's post.

Re torpedo on Dec 18. Who launched it? Q team? Heh-heh. Why did Q send us this post? Looked like one little project. Look what has resulted from it. could be there are projects like this in EVERY STATE, starting with Tennessee. Still wanting to dig on Matt.

I got stuck on Renee today because people reveal things in interviews that they otherwise don't. Revealing but not fun to listen to. "Muh russia….blah blah blah…"

Re the map:

Just the map alone is plenty.

Yes, we can post our thoughts.

Just add anything special, different, interesting.

Q !!mG7VJxZNCI ID: 47ea0a No.4393450 📁

Dec 20 2018 13:33:09 (EST)

https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democratic-operatives-created-fake-russian-bots-in-alabama-race-designed-to-link-kremlin-to-republican-roy-moore📁

The [D] party will cease to exist once it's all exposed.

FAKE NEWS can no longer control [dampen] public awareness of the TRUTH.

DARK TO LIGHT.

Q

>>4962193

looks like it's up to us for now, fren….leader-up….

>>4962237

Just ran it off.

Let's see, I've run into the Chinese connection, but that's real fuzzy right now. Means the connections concern those I haven't dug on much yet.

>>4962247

Go with God, anon. It's all good. I just know I was meant for this. You may have something else to do. WWG1WGA.

>>4962105

Very nice. Let me look, will have a few q's.

>>4962307

I don't give track every little thing, too busy digging. KEK.

>>4962187

Adam Waldman

When you add him do we get Deripaska, Comey & Assange (just to name a few???)

>>4962407

Alabama election meddling

>>4962407

>>4962379

Only giving you a hard time. Still got plenty of space on the bottom especially if you squeeze it a little on the sides.

The thing is, eventually it will get unwieldy. But the purpose of maps is to see the territory. Maybe the most useful thing abut such graphics is the holes they show. That, and the power dynamics. (Eventually, you figure there are some entities that EVERYBODY looks to And that tells you who has the power.) Unforunately, these are the ones who are also the best hidden. Like Soros; on your chart, he's barely there. But really, he needs another storey (or layer, in Photoshop parlance), because he's really everywhere. Or at least his money is.

Questions (defer if you're still baking):

What is

RF

USSD

PBM

T&TIFA

I'll keep the Virginia donors in the back of my mind….maybe they will appear…..

>>4962503

thx, I was thinking "that guy at NK", I thought I should look it up but I'm too tired. Did you skip Waldman because it's hard to know where to place him? Wanting to get more info first? He is sort of a mystery man. Knows everything about everybody else but no one knows much about him.

You mentioned the word "democracy" being everywhere. It always sounds so nice, kind of like socialism with a better image. They're good at names–Soros especially. Open Society Foundation; what could sound better?

One common denominator with all these guys: they are all anti-Russia; they badly need a villain to justify taking over everything. They Russian values with conservative values and try to confuse them in people's minds. May be the real reason for accusing Trump of being a Russian agent–just to start associating the two in peoples' minds.

Aggressivenesss goes right up to the German Marshall Foundation level. They are warlike and hostile; super into psychological projection. And they know what they are doing, they are not naive. To justify NATO, they need an enemy: Russia abroad and alt-right nationally.

Oh, just remembered. Pretty obvious, but for NK, they have two wings: research (NK/H68/SSCI reports) and action (D4D). But, really, it's all about ACTION. They do zero real research only do propaganda that looks like research to those who lack expertise. REALLY thin, tho, a true Achilles heel.

>>4962514

God bless all our Cali friends. We will never forget. I truly hope we discover what went on and that it never happens again.

>>4962510

Suggestion: Put the ones you're not sure of in a list or on the side and let people suggest connections. But it doesn't really matter that much. You could also use blow ups on page 2 for dense areas. Many possibilities but just as is, it's great. I will have to go now, absolutely dead. Will return to type another day!