Social Scientist @NotreDame. Studies misinformation, media literacy, & AI. Author of Misguided: https://mybook.to/MisguidedBook https://matthewfacciani.substack.com www.matthewfacciani.com
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“Jonathan Howard, a neurologist and psychiatrist in New York City, received an email from YouTube on Friday night, which stated that Vinay Prasad, who is the FDA’s top vaccine regulator, had demanded the removal of six videos of himself from Howard’s YouTube channel.”
In this new episode of Misguided: The Podcast, I talk with physicist & author @drg.bsky.social about: • Why facts alone often fail • How conspiracies spread and persist • The social & structural forces shaping public health matthewfacciani.substack.com/p/the-irrati...
“rural hospitals, in particular, could lose between $58 billion and $137 billion over the next decade because of the bill’s provisions. As many as 300 rural hospitals were at risk for closure because of the GOP’s bill” apnews.com/article/rura...
Yes it was on my “to read” list! Thanks for sharing :)
New work by @brendannyhan.bsky.social & @jasonreifler.bsky.social shows further evidence of positive impact of prebunking This is why EIP wrote What to Expect rumor guides for certain periods in elections! And it’s why election deniers reframe this as “brainwashing” www.science.org/content/arti...
"Mr. Kennedy and the rest of the Trump administration tell us, over and over, that they want to Make America Healthy Again. That’s a great slogan. I agree with it. The problem is that since coming into office President Trump and Mr. Kennedy have done exactly the opposite."
Some fun fake news for a change: a professor who teaches a course on social media creates a fake video with his students showing how he cancelled class after the Taylor Swift engagement. It went viral on TikTok. www.knoxnews.com/story/entert...
“A respected network of hospitals and cancer centers is halting enrollment in clinical trials for children with brain cancer after the federal government said it would no longer provide funding to the group.” www.nytimes.com/2025/08/28/w...
Grateful for this generous review of Misguided! It highlights the heart of my book: our deep need for belonging can be a powerful force for connection, but it also leaves us vulnerable to misinformation. Thank you, Peder! www.linkedin.com/feed/update/...
"We show that negativity toward other groups is not always key to going viral. Rather, positive ingroup emotions appear to play a leading role in times of crisis." www.pnas.org/doi/10.1073/...
After CDC Director Susan Monarez was fired for resisting vaccine policy changes, @jeremyfaust.bsky.social reminds us that public health must come before ideology. #USANotRFK
"She said that there were two things she would never do in the job. One was anything that was deemed illegal, and the second was anything that she felt flew in the face of science, and she said she was asked to do both of those" www.reuters.com/legal/litiga... #USANotRFK
Today: CDC said ENOUGH. We stand with them and for America. #USAnotRFK Read & share this letter. Images or newsletter version below. techingitapart.substack.com/cp/172217963 @niniandthebrain.bsky.social @enirenberg.bsky.social @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social @matthewfacciani.bsky.social
“These departures are not just bureaucratic reshuffling; they are a hemorrhage of institutional memory and expertise. Each of these scientists carried decades of hard-earned knowledge that cannot simply be replaced by a new appointee or a quick hire.” open.substack.com/pub/techingi...
Outside the CDC, people are chanting “USA, not RFK.” They are fed up with having one unqualified person dictate the nation’s health. #USANotRFK
It's terrible. More and more are using software to make their emails look legit.
I just got hit with this scam today. The emails are well-written and way more personalized than the scams I’ve seen in the past. As someone currently job hunting, I can see how easy it would be to fall for it, it preys on the hope that a company is genuinely interested in you. Very cruel.
A new scam involves an AI chatbot sending you a personalized job description, expressing excitement about your potential application. But when you reply with your resume, they recommend using a paid resume service, claiming it will improve your chances of being noticed.
I was hoping to post this podcast episode this week, but ironically, I caught COVID-19, and lost my voice. So, I couldn't record an introduction. I hope to post it early next week.
David offered a useful analogy: he compared this trend to catching a cold—things feel worse and worse for a while, but eventually, the fever breaks, and you start to see signs of recovery.
In my latest podcast episode, I spoke with David Robert Grimes, and we both agreed that the rise of pseudoscience and misinformation is likely to get worse before it gets better.
read the full letter here: x.com/dr_demetre/s...
"Having worked in local and national public health for years, I have never experienced such radical non-transparency, nor have I seen such unskilled manipulation of data to achieve a political end rather than the good of the American people." - Dr. Demetre's resignation letter from the CDC
"The news of these resignations set off a firestorm in public health circles. This is not normal." insidemedicine.substack.com/p/breaking-n...
Adding just six hours of media literacy training to an American Government course significantly improved students’ ability to identify credible sources and boosted their confidence in evaluating where information comes from. theconversation.com/college-stud...
I caught COVID-19 this week. The pandemic may have faded from the headlines, but the virus hasn’t disappeared and is still very contagious. Please take care of yourself and others—mask if you’re sick and stay home if you can.
“A 19th-century con man sold land in a fake country, exploiting trust and shared identity. His tactics—scarcity, forged credibility, persuasive storytelling—mirror today’s online scams.” www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/misg...
Public health strategies should leverage physicians’ trusted status while addressing demographic differences in trust to improve engagement.
Physicians are the most trusted messengers for H5N1 health information (76.2%) and vaccine advice (53.0%), far ahead of personal research (36.7%) and local/state health departments (32%). www.nature.com/articles/s41...
People often reject media literacy interventions because their prior beliefs and perceptions of the source’s reliability shape whether they trust and accept them, so using highly trusted sources is critical for uptake! www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Yes! That's a cool app :)
🚨 New research alert: A short online game called Bad Vaxx helps people spot and resist vaccine misinformation. Just 15 minutes of play made participants better at recognizing manipulative tactics, without making them distrust real information. matthewfacciani.substack.com/p/how-playin...
“In a rare move for a U.S. public official, Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., called for a paper that found no link between aluminum in vaccines and disease to be retracted. The journal rejected the request.” www.scientificamerican.com/article/rfk-...
“We already see a lot of actors — based on this monetization of platforms like X — that are using AI to produce content that just seeks to maximize attention…So misinformation, often highly polarized information — as AI models become more powerful, that content is going to take over."
Yes, thankfully some people do find it interesting. Unfortunately, there isn’t much funding from federal or private organizations to hire me either.
“In the weeks and months before the Aug. 8 shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention headquarters in Atlanta, posts tying Covid vaccines to mental illness accrued millions of views online” www.nbcnews.com/tech/interne...
Awesome! Thank you so much!!
Yes that’s me! Very cool to see that shoutout :)
Awesome! I hope you enjoy it, and I'm looking forward to hearing your thoughts!
My class officially launches tomorrow, so there’s still time to sign up if you haven’t already! matthewfacciani.substack.com/p/the-social...
I just recorded the first lecture for my course on the social psych of misinformation! With all the uncertainty in academia, I was worried I might never teach again. But teaching online is showing me that I can still share insights from social science, & maybe reach a much wider audience as well!
”It’s a lot easier to blame food dyes, vaccines, or lack of exercise for every health issue your family faces… It makes you think if you eliminate or do that one thing, or take a supplement instead, it will all be fine. It gives you control — a false sense of control.”
📚 Weekly video lessons 💬 Live Q&A each Thursday 🤝 Community discussion 🔗👇Details + syllabus here: matthewfacciani.substack.com/p/the-social...
My new 4-week online course — The Social Psychology of Misinformation — kicks off August 25. We’ll dive into: 🧠 Why people believe false information 🤝 How identity, trust, and networks shape our beliefs 🔍 Media literacy & fact-checking strategies 🤖 The role of AI & algorithms in shaping what we see
"Our analysis of 51,680 political videos from the 2024 U.S. presidential cycle reveals that toxic and partisan content consistently attracts more user engagement—despite ongoing moderation efforts." misinforeview.hks.harvard.edu/article/toxi...
Source: www.pewresearch.org/journalism/2...
Americans say they value honesty and intelligence in their news, but they often assume that it’s their own political side that represents honesty.
I sometimes browse Twitter/X to see what’s circulating in right-wing media. Now my feed is full of complaints about the Cracker Barrel logo. I wonder how many people are genuinely upset, and how many are posting mainly to signal to their community or generate ad revenue.
Awesome! Thank you so much and I hope you enjoy the class :)
"Halting studies midway can also ruin the data already collected and ultimately harm the country’s potential for scientific breakthroughs by disrupting scientists’ work in the middle of their careers" apnews.com/article/supr...
"By discarding a policy built to protect against political interference and align with a federal standard, EPA has embraced a broader agenda that centralizes control of science in political hands." scilight.substack.com/p/epa-pulls-...
That’s a good idea! I regularly break down papers on my newsletter and could do that for this paper
This is an exciting finding because actively open-minded thinking has been correlated with greater resilience against misinformation, but this study shows a way that it can be quickly taught.
New study finds that teaching people to think in a more actively open-minded way made them less likely to believe conspiracies, better at telling real from fake news, and more careful about what they shared. www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
Starting Aug 25, I’m teaching a 4-week online course on the psychology of misinformation—how it spreads, how to spot it, and how AI/algorithms shape what we see. Course details and syllabus here! matthewfacciani.substack.com/p/the-social...
RFK Jr. cut millions from autism research while staying silent on Trump’s rollbacks of climate and pollution protections, even as his administration reverses regulations on chemicals linked to autism. www.propublica.org/article/rfk-...
"86% of physicians surveyed said they'd encountered more misinformation among patients within the last five years than in years before." www.nbcnews.com/tech/misinfo...
"When the federal workforce is not safe, America is not safe. HHS Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., is complicit in dismantling America’s public health infrastructure and endangering the nation’s health by repeatedly spreading inaccurate health information" www.savehhs.org/letter/hhs-s...
Starting Aug 25, I’m teaching a 4-week online course on the psychology of misinformation—how it spreads, how to spot it, and how AI/algorithms shape what we see. Course details and syllabus here! matthewfacciani.substack.com/p/the-social...
“According to the lawsuit, Maddox was allegedly unaware of any potential dangers while purchasing the milk” www.cbsnews.com/miami/news/f...
Thank you!! 🙏
It’s disheartening to see people suggest that science communicators should work for free, while charlatans profit from spreading lies. Thankfully, that seems to be changing, but in a healthy society, science communicators (and everyone else) deserve to earn a living wage for their work.
Absolutely, and that is something I hope I can help with.
I'm now working to support myself through my independent newsletter, where I offer writing on media literacy, courses on misinformation, and consulting services. I'm still earning well below the U.S. poverty line, but the good news is, I'm growing quickly! matthewfacciani.substack.com
It’s demoralizing to watch grifters grow absurdly wealthy by spreading lies that make their audiences feel good, while scientists lose research funding, some lose their jobs (as I did), and hiring freezes sweep across universities and medical centers.
"accounts of the so-called "dark TikTok" falsely geolocated outside Brazil advance in the national market. 'Dark' accounts are anonymous profiles, created exclusively to generate views and achieve monetization, that is, to start receiving payments for engagement on the platform"
I've read many articles debunking the supposed link between vaccines and autism, but this might be the best one. @unbiasedscipod.bsky.social uses excellent graphics to clearly break down the deceptive tactics behind the myth, helping readers recognize flawed scientific reasoning when they see it.
Founding Members get exclusive perks—including quarterly 1:1 calls with me (limited to the first 10), full course access, and direct input on future topics. Your support helps sustain independent, evidence-based work at a critical time. matthewfacciani.substack.com/p/launching-...
"Newsmax will pay $67 million to settle one of the last outstanding defamation lawsuits against a news organization for airing false claims that the 2020 election was rigged." www.npr.org/2025/08/18/n...
"A man accidentally poisoned himself and spent three weeks in hospital after turning to ChatGPT for health advice." www.telegraph.co.uk/business/202...
"We have to meet that energy with better tactics, not by dismissing it, but by giving people real tools, accurate frameworks, and, in a way, making them feel like they have a seat at the table of decision-making."
"And empowerment is exactly what misinformation and wellness movements have learned to weaponize. They promise agency, the thrill of “doing your own research,” the feeling that you’re in control of hidden knowledge." techingitapart.substack.com/p/why-data-a...
I've been a big fan of David McRaney's books and podcast for a long time, so it was great to finally join him as a guest on his show, where we talk about my new book, Misguided! you-are-not-so-smart.simplecast.com/episodes/320...
I found this interesting given that I've found similar results in my own work: "taking the perspective of a character fighting as opposed to spreading misinformation is more effective on some outcome measures." I may write up a longer summary of this study on my newsletter.
New study finds that a short game teaching players how to spot manipulation techniques common in vaccine misinformation made them better at recognizing false claims and more cautious about what they shared online. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
How Feeling Wronged Can Fuel Conspiracy Beliefs www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/misg... by @matthewfacciani.bsky.social "Victim Justice Sensitivity predicts conspiracy beliefs beyond politics or mistrust." "Link is stronger in individualistic countries, showing a cultural role in these beliefs."
“The West Wing has created a scorecard that rates 553 companies and trade associations on how hard they worked to support and promote President Trump's "One Big Beautiful Bill” www.axios.com/2025/08/15/w...
“If we want to defend against synthetic manipulation, we need to understand not just what people believe, but why it resonates. As AI evolves and plays a bigger role in shaping what we see, understanding our own biases becomes even more critical.” www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/misg...
That’s so great to see!
A great example of how our university strongly supports the social sciences. The top story on our College of Arts & Sciences' website is on USC Sociology alum @matthewfacciani.bsky.social's new book on misinformation. sc.edu/study/colleg...
Had a great time with the Skeptical Inquirer Presents audience discussing the social psychology of misinformation and my book Misguided. Always rewarding to see how engaged and curious people are about this topic. www.youtube.com/watch?v=So8N...
A 6-month trial of a 4-day workweek (with no pay cut) across multiple countries led to significant improvements in burnout, job satisfaction, and both mental and physical health. www.nature.com/articles/s41...
The course is aimed at adults, but much of the content would apply to teenagers as well.
This one is 4 weeks long, and lectures are posted each Sunday with the live discussion on Thursdays.
The price increases to $50 after Monday, August 18. Class begins the following Monday, August 25. I may offer another class in the future, but it will likely run longer and cost more than this inaugural session. Sign up here! matthewfacciani.substack.com/p/announcing...
I’m thrilled to see so many sign-ups for my online course about misinformation! Some people were surprised it’s only $40, but I kept the price low so more people can join, learn why we’re all vulnerable to misinformation, and build skills to protect themselves and others.
Here is our recorded conversation if you missed us live! matthewfacciani.substack.com/p/misguided-...
I’m joining @sciencewhizliz.bsky.social on Substack Live today at 12pm EST! We’ll be talking about my new book, how to fight misinformation, and ways to improve science communication and rebuild public trust. Hope to see you there! fromthescienceclass.substack.com
"They (AI chatbots) not only repeated the misinformation but often expanded on it, offering confident explanations for non-existent conditions." www.mountsinai.org/about/newsro...
“During a series of romantic chats on Facebook Messenger, the virtual woman had repeatedly reassured Bue she was real and had invited him to her apartment, even providing an address.” www.reuters.com/investigates...
Also, I apologize about my audio quality on this one: my power went out right before we started recording, and I had to record on my phone!
I recently joined the New Books in Public Policy podcast to talk about my book Misguided—we covered why people believe misinformation, how it spreads, and what we can do about it. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/m...
Boosting the signal for folks wanting to learn more about the spread of #misinformation.
My class starts August 25th, and you get full access to my course by becoming a paid annual subscriber ($50). Sign up via this link and save 20% off before 8/18! matthewfacciani.substack.com/earlybird
I’m currently ranked #2 on Substack’s rising science list! This comes just after launching my new course on the social science of misinformation. I’m beyond grateful for all the support so far, and looking forward to starting this class soon!
web.archive.org
The Internet Archive lets you capture a snapshot of any webpage exactly as it appears now — creating a permanent, timestamped version you can cite later. This preserves evidence, prevents content from being quietly edited or deleted, and ensures that future readers can verify the original source.
Thank you! I agree :)
My book, Misguided, is now available at all major book retailers! mybook.to/MisguidedBook
Almost five years after I wrote this on Facebook, my first book was published. Back then, I thought I might just self-publish a short e-book—I honestly didn’t think I could land any sort of book deal. I’m so glad I took the chance, wrote up a proposal, and cold-emailed a few publishers.
