LikeWar: The Weaponization of Social Media

December 2018 No Comments

“LikeWar: The Weaponization of Social Media”

Speaker: Singer, P. (New America)

Date: 3 December 2018

Speaker Session Preview

SMA hosted an exclusive Q&A session featuring Dr. Peter Singer (New America) as a part of its SMA DHS Speaker Series. During this Q&A session, the following questions were addressed:

1. Could you explain the meaning of the term “likewar”?

2. How did you conduct the research for this book?

What motivated you to write on the weaponization of social media?

4. What can we do to prevail and thrive during the age of “likewar”?

Does objective proof exist, and does it matter? How can we use truth to our advantage?

6. Do you think that there is a need for a national information strategy? Do you believe the government should create an information agency to tackle this “likewar” issue?

7. A prior SMA presenter discussed a study on the indoctrination of fake news in which study groups were provided falsified materials for a court case, and their reactions were observed. The only factor that reduced the impact of this fake news was if the subjects were warned beforehand that falsified information may be presented to them. What do you think of the impact of initial skepticism?

8. China is starting to implement a social credit system, which is based on the premise that what you do and say online reflects your character. Do you think it’s possible to find a middle ground, where we can identify problematic individuals but also avoid the implementation of such a system?

9. What are your thoughts on the following statement?: “The network days will have a larger impact on society than the Enlightenment or the Industrial Revolution.”