Attack from Within audiobook cover - How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America

Attack from Within

How Disinformation Is Sabotaging America

Barbara McQuade

2.9 / 5(33 ratings)
Start ListeningDownloadQR code that opens AudiobookHub on the App StoreTry free on iPhoneScan to start in 5 seconds

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

Listen to Attack from Within — Free Audiobook

Loading player...

Key Takeaways from Attack from Within

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Attack from Within

Mind Map

Attack from Within
Evolution of Disinformation+
America's Internal War+
Real-World Consequences+
Solutions for Democracy+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 5
What is the 'liar's dividend' as described in the text?
  • A. The financial profit social media companies make from spreading sensationalist fake news.
  • B. The phenomenon where a relentless barrage of untruths breeds public skepticism and normalizes deceit.
  • C. A political strategy where candidates accuse opponents of lying to distract from their own failures.
  • D. The historical tactic used by authoritarian regimes to rewrite history books and erase rivals.
Question 2 of 5
Why does the text describe America's constitutional devotion to free speech as a 'double-edged sword'?
  • A. It protects the marketplace of ideas but currently struggles under the weight of falsehoods masquerading as truth.
  • B. It prevents the government from keeping state secrets, making them easily accessible to foreign adversaries.
  • C. It forces privately owned social media platforms to host all content, regardless of its legality or safety.
  • D. It prioritizes the voices of politicians and public figures over the concerns of everyday citizens.
Question 3 of 5
According to the text, what is the practical, underlying effect of increasingly strict photo ID requirements for voting?
  • A. They eliminate all instances of voter fraud but slow down the vote-counting process.
  • B. They discourage young voters from participating due to complex digital registration requirements.
  • C. They disproportionately disenfranchise voters from marginalized communities, acting as a subtle form of voter suppression.
  • D. They allow foreign adversaries to more easily hack and manipulate electronic voting registries.
Question 4 of 5
Which term is used in the text to describe a situation where the rhetoric of public figures inspires individuals to commit acts of violence?
  • A. Algorithmic radicalization
  • B. Stochastic terrorism
  • C. The Trojan Horse effect
  • D. Gaslighting
Question 5 of 5
Which of the following is proposed in the text as a legislative or regulatory solution to combat the spread of disinformation?
  • A. Amending Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act and introducing transparency in online political advertising.
  • B. Banning all foreign-owned social media platforms from operating within the United States.
  • C. Implementing a government-run agency to fact-check and approve all news articles before publication.
  • D. Completely repealing First Amendment protections for online political discourse.

Attack from Within — Full Chapter Overview

Attack from Within Summary & Overview

Attack from Within (2024) delves into the critical examination of how disinformation has been weaponized to challenge the fabric of democracy, distort public discourse, and erode fundamental trust in public institutions. This exploration serves as a call to action, urging you to recognize, confront, and disarm the insidious threats posed by disinformation, thereby fortifying the resilience of democratic values.

Who Should Listen to Attack from Within?

  • Students or practitioners of law interested in national security and disinformation
  • History and political science students
  • Advocates for democracy and free speech

About the Author: Barbara McQuade

Barbara McQuade, with a legal career highlighted by her role as the US Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan, currently teaches at the University of Michigan Law School. Her expertise extends to media, where she serves as a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC, and co-hosts the #SistersInLaw podcast. Her professional journey spans everything from journalism to significant legal practice, marking her as a seasoned expert in criminal law, national security, and data privacy.

🎧
Listen in the AppOffline playback & background play
Get App