Book description
An "essential and riveting" (Jonathan Haidt) analysis of the radical shift in the dynamics of power and influence, revealing how the machinery that powered the Big Lie works to create bespoke realities revolutionizing politics, culture, and society. Renée DiResta's powerful, original investigation into the way power and influence have been profoundly transformed reveals how a virtual rumor mill of niche propagandists increasingly shapes public opinion. While propagandists position themselves as trustworthy Davids, their reach, influence, and economics make them classic Goliaths--invisible rulers who create bespoke realities to revolutionize politics, culture, and society. Their work is driven by a simple maxim: if you make it trend, you make it true. By revealing the machinery and dynamics of the interplay between influencers, algorithms, and online crowds, DiResta vividly illustrates the way propagandists deliberately undermine belief in the fundamental legitimacy of institutions that make society work. This alternate system for shaping public opinion, unexamined until now, is rewriting the relationship between the people and their government in profound ways. It has become a force so shockingly effective that its destructive power seems limitless. Scientific proof is powerless in front of it. Democratic validity is bulldozed by it. Leaders are humiliated by it. But they need not be. With its deep insight into the power of propagandists to drive online crowds into battle--while bearing no responsibility for the consequences--Invisible Rulers not only predicts those consequences but offers ways for leaders to rapidly adapt and fight back.
About the Author
Renée DiResta is the technical research manager at the Stanford Internet Observatory, a cross-disciplinary program of research, teaching, and policy engagement for the study of abuse in information technologies. Her work examines rumors and propaganda in the digital age. She has analyzed geopolitical campaigns created by foreign powers such as Russia, China, and Iran; voting- related rumors that led to the January 6 insurrection; and health misinformation and conspiracy theories pushed by domestic influencers. She is a contributor at The Atlantic. Her bylined writing has appeared in Wired, Foreign Affairs, Columbia Journalism Review, New York Times, Washington Post, Yale Review, The Guardian, POLITICO, Slate, and Noema, as well as many academic journals. DiResta has been a Presidential Leadership Scholar (a program run by the Presidents Bush, Clinton, and the LBJ Foundations); named an Emerson Fellow, a Truman National Security Project fellow, Mozilla Fellow in Media, Misinformation, and Trust, a Harvard Berkman-Klein affiliate, and a Council on Foreign Relations term member.
Alias Stick
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Mad Irishman
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Seal Snake
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Ginger Chaos
⭐️ Loving the fact that I can learn and listen at the same time – multitasking made easy! 🧠🎧 CUE playlist support is a rare gem. Perfect for organizing content efficiently. A middle-of-the-road audiobook that neither impressed nor disappointed. The narrator's voice was agreeable enough for extended listening, though their character differentiation could have been stronger. The production met basic industry standards without any standout qualities.
Fuzzy Claws
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Eye Devil
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Referee
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Vixen
I've been recommending this app to all my friends – it's a true game-changer. This app has made my daily routines more meaningful and enjoyable. Quick access to chapters and controls makes ListenBook a breeze to use. It's an intuitive experience. Drag and drop downloads are genius. It simplifies the entire process.
Mr. Spy
This app's support for various formats and genres ensures that there's always something new to explore. Navigating through chapters is a breeze. It's like the app knows what I need. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a game-changer. It enhances the clarity of recordings and makes my listening sessions more enjoyable. ListenBook’s interface is beautiful and functional. It’s my favorite app for audiobooks.
Baked ZD
The statistics feature is a fantastic addition – knowing how much time I spend on audiobooks is eye-opening, and ListenBook makes tracking it a breeze. The ability to download audio from various sources without syncing is fantastic. ListenBook makes it so easy.
Berry Succubus
The Looping playback and Shuffle features on ListenBook help me customize my listening sessions to my liking. I've never experienced such a smooth audiobook player. The playback is seamless. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that enhances my listening experience. It's these thoughtful touches that matter! ListenBook’s playback is silky-smooth. The app never glitches.
The Dude
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Sprinkle Lovenuts
With this app, audiobook listening has become a seamless and enjoyable part of my everyday life. I can’t believe how easy it is to manage my audiobook library with ListenBook. Highly recommended!
Queen Bee
ListenBook's support for binaural audio processing is a thoughtful touch that reduces listening fatigue. I'm amazed at this app's ability to transport me to different worlds through stories. Discovering new literary worlds has never been this easy. This app's compatibility with various formats ensures that my audiobook library is at my fingertips. 📚🔊 The playback speed adjustment is a game-changer for busy individuals. Time saver!
Canine Hannibal
📚 The simplicity and functionality of this app are top-notch. I can start a book with just a tap and immerse myself in the story instantly. 📱📖 No more hassle with file conversion. This app handles all formats effortlessly. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books at night.
New Cycle
👩🍳 Turning cooking sessions into culinary adventures, complete with intriguing tales! 🍳🎧 Great for fans of this genre! The pacing, narration, and production quality were all excellent. It felt like a movie playing in my mind. I’ll be checking out more from this narrator for sure.
Toe
This app is a time-saver – I can 'read' even when I'm on the move. Seamless integration of audiobooks – this app's ease of use is impressive. Unlocking a world of literary wonders – this app's extensive format support and user-centric approach have rekindled my love for books. 📱🔊 ListenBook has become an integral part of my daily routine. Its compatibility with Apple Watch and CarPlay makes it the ultimate companion for various activities.
Tough Nut
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Daffy Neo
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Fire Queen
ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature has made my audio content much more enjoyable in noisy environments. With ListenBook, my audio content is organized, accessible, and ready to inspire me. Book groups are a thoughtful addition. I can group related titles for easy access.
Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience