Professor Amanda Sturgill
@drsturg.bsky.social
Truthmonger. I write books, teach students and make podcasts about you being smarter about misinformation. #WeAreAltGov #DetectingDeception https://bit.ly/UnSpunPod
Pinned
When it comes to the battle against misinformation, no one is coming to save us. It's up to us. Here's why and what you need to do. theunspunpodcast.substack.com/p/moving-for...
La Noticia in Charlotte's covering ICE enforcement actions today. It's hard to do journalism when you are not safe. Nationally, there's evidence of citizens and green card holders being caught up. I appreciate journalists doing this risky work.
Check out their work here.
lanoticia.com
Check out their work here.
lanoticia.com
La Noticia | Información y noticias de Carolina del Norte hoy en vivo
Noticias Carolina del Norte hoy. Última hora en Charlotte y Raleigh NC. Clima de 10 días, qué visitar y qué hacer. Agenda, temas y horarios.
lanoticia.com
November 15, 2025 at 10:26 PM
La Noticia in Charlotte's covering ICE enforcement actions today. It's hard to do journalism when you are not safe. Nationally, there's evidence of citizens and green card holders being caught up. I appreciate journalists doing this risky work.
Check out their work here.
lanoticia.com
Check out their work here.
lanoticia.com
Over-parsing the definition sometimes means your argument is very weak.
If you take your car out, put a big dent in it, and return it, I don't want to listen to you saying you just borrowed it as if that clears everything.
If you take your car out, put a big dent in it, and return it, I don't want to listen to you saying you just borrowed it as if that clears everything.
November 15, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Over-parsing the definition sometimes means your argument is very weak.
If you take your car out, put a big dent in it, and return it, I don't want to listen to you saying you just borrowed it as if that clears everything.
If you take your car out, put a big dent in it, and return it, I don't want to listen to you saying you just borrowed it as if that clears everything.
Why isn't Barney in Get Out?
Why isn’t Hannibal Lecter in Eat Pray Love
Why Isn’t Pennywise in The Running Man? It's more complicated than you might think... bit.ly/4a04Vvk
November 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Why isn't Barney in Get Out?
I might have just seen the worst Christmas idea ad I have ever seen.
Go to some website, answer some questions about a loved one, upload a picture and pick a topic, and then they get a book that look like they wrote it with their photo on the cover, but it's AI.
Who would want that? Why?
Go to some website, answer some questions about a loved one, upload a picture and pick a topic, and then they get a book that look like they wrote it with their photo on the cover, but it's AI.
Who would want that? Why?
November 14, 2025 at 10:39 PM
I might have just seen the worst Christmas idea ad I have ever seen.
Go to some website, answer some questions about a loved one, upload a picture and pick a topic, and then they get a book that look like they wrote it with their photo on the cover, but it's AI.
Who would want that? Why?
Go to some website, answer some questions about a loved one, upload a picture and pick a topic, and then they get a book that look like they wrote it with their photo on the cover, but it's AI.
Who would want that? Why?
In my experience, the preening peacocks and grunting baboons who serve them can cause a lot of damage.
But it's the quiet folks in the back with great minsd and terrible ideas that whisper to the peacocks that you really have to watch out for.
Tolkien wrote Wormtongue for a reason.
But it's the quiet folks in the back with great minsd and terrible ideas that whisper to the peacocks that you really have to watch out for.
Tolkien wrote Wormtongue for a reason.
a man with long hair and a beard is looking at another man
ALT: a man with long hair and a beard is looking at another man
media.tenor.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:32 PM
In my experience, the preening peacocks and grunting baboons who serve them can cause a lot of damage.
But it's the quiet folks in the back with great minsd and terrible ideas that whisper to the peacocks that you really have to watch out for.
Tolkien wrote Wormtongue for a reason.
But it's the quiet folks in the back with great minsd and terrible ideas that whisper to the peacocks that you really have to watch out for.
Tolkien wrote Wormtongue for a reason.
So, I feel a little dumb for asking, but this is phishing, yes?
November 12, 2025 at 12:57 PM
So, I feel a little dumb for asking, but this is phishing, yes?
Extremely niche hot take: the nation's pre-eminent newspaper needs to rethink publishing pieces on sartorial choices of politicians. What a waste of ... newsprint? screen real estate?
But seriously, I couldn't care less about party-aligned neckties or whatever. I do care about what they do.
But seriously, I couldn't care less about party-aligned neckties or whatever. I do care about what they do.
November 10, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Extremely niche hot take: the nation's pre-eminent newspaper needs to rethink publishing pieces on sartorial choices of politicians. What a waste of ... newsprint? screen real estate?
But seriously, I couldn't care less about party-aligned neckties or whatever. I do care about what they do.
But seriously, I couldn't care less about party-aligned neckties or whatever. I do care about what they do.
Assuming this is a good faith question, and acknowledging that I'm not a food economics expert, here's what I think.
You asked why people in the U.S. need government food assistance in a country this wealthy. Don't we have charity? It’s a fair question. The answer isn’t simple.
You asked why people in the U.S. need government food assistance in a country this wealthy. Don't we have charity? It’s a fair question. The answer isn’t simple.
Atheist, no church. UK people donate to food banks, community cafes, and orgs like the one linked. Also Sikh langar (kitchen) feed people. We know where to go if we can't afford to eat, and it's not any right wing people offering the help. faresharemidlands.org.uk
FareShare Midlands | Fighting hunger, tackling food waste in the UK
FareShare is the UK's largest charity fighting hunger and food waste. We save good food from going to waste and redistribute it to frontline charities.
faresharemidlands.org.uk
November 9, 2025 at 9:26 PM
Assuming this is a good faith question, and acknowledging that I'm not a food economics expert, here's what I think.
You asked why people in the U.S. need government food assistance in a country this wealthy. Don't we have charity? It’s a fair question. The answer isn’t simple.
You asked why people in the U.S. need government food assistance in a country this wealthy. Don't we have charity? It’s a fair question. The answer isn’t simple.
"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge?
"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
"And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge? "Are they still in operation?"
...
"If they had rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."
#vibe
"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
"And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge? "Are they still in operation?"
...
"If they had rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."
#vibe
So, I go to church. One of the things I do is coordinate volunteers for a homeless family shelter in the city. Most of the 20 families who live there are single mom + kids and often fleeing domestic violence. The moms work, but are usually low wage and get SNAP to help with foods.
November 8, 2025 at 5:52 PM
"Are there no prisons?" asked Scrooge?
"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
"And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge? "Are they still in operation?"
...
"If they had rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."
#vibe
"Plenty of prisons," said the gentleman, laying down the pen again.
"And the Union workhouses?" demanded Scrooge? "Are they still in operation?"
...
"If they had rather die," said Scrooge, "they had better do it, and decrease the surplus population."
#vibe
So, I go to church. One of the things I do is coordinate volunteers for a homeless family shelter in the city. Most of the 20 families who live there are single mom + kids and often fleeing domestic violence. The moms work, but are usually low wage and get SNAP to help with foods.
November 8, 2025 at 12:16 PM
So, I go to church. One of the things I do is coordinate volunteers for a homeless family shelter in the city. Most of the 20 families who live there are single mom + kids and often fleeing domestic violence. The moms work, but are usually low wage and get SNAP to help with foods.
Reposted by Professor Amanda Sturgill
Hey!
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
November 8, 2025 at 1:33 AM
Hey!
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
Calling all Wonder Women!
We all are sisters…pulling together with one spirit.
50 years ago today the first episode of the series Wonder Woman aired.
Poetic #FridayFeeling
Of the bloviating in my feed
the excuses in my classroom
the "we just need you to" in my email
the "but you're so good at" so ...
the "well, you know, they're difficult so..."
I am tired.
Of the bloviating in my feed
the excuses in my classroom
the "we just need you to" in my email
the "but you're so good at" so ...
the "well, you know, they're difficult so..."
I am tired.
November 7, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Poetic #FridayFeeling
Of the bloviating in my feed
the excuses in my classroom
the "we just need you to" in my email
the "but you're so good at" so ...
the "well, you know, they're difficult so..."
I am tired.
Of the bloviating in my feed
the excuses in my classroom
the "we just need you to" in my email
the "but you're so good at" so ...
the "well, you know, they're difficult so..."
I am tired.
Linked-In tells me today is something called "World Productivity Day."
No.
No.
November 6, 2025 at 7:40 PM
Linked-In tells me today is something called "World Productivity Day."
No.
No.
Reposted by Professor Amanda Sturgill
The long-running ideological war on libraries, education, and government workers is not separate from AI boosterism. It is the same ideological war on human knowledge and expertise. In some cases AI is being used to directly supercharge this effort:
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
AI Is Supercharging the War on Libraries, Education, and Human Knowledge
"Fascism and AI, whether or not they have the same goals, they sure are working to accelerate one another."
www.404media.co
November 6, 2025 at 4:21 PM
The long-running ideological war on libraries, education, and government workers is not separate from AI boosterism. It is the same ideological war on human knowledge and expertise. In some cases AI is being used to directly supercharge this effort:
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
www.404media.co/ai-is-superc...
Things I learned researching this week's episode on hybrid war (where your social media is a battlefield):
*Propaganda spikes predict military actions
* Hybrid attacks are calibrated to stay below legal definitions of war
* Democracies use the same tools as their adversaries.
bit.ly/UnSpunPod
*Propaganda spikes predict military actions
* Hybrid attacks are calibrated to stay below legal definitions of war
* Democracies use the same tools as their adversaries.
bit.ly/UnSpunPod
Unspun
Listen to Unspun on RedCircle
bit.ly
November 6, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Things I learned researching this week's episode on hybrid war (where your social media is a battlefield):
*Propaganda spikes predict military actions
* Hybrid attacks are calibrated to stay below legal definitions of war
* Democracies use the same tools as their adversaries.
bit.ly/UnSpunPod
*Propaganda spikes predict military actions
* Hybrid attacks are calibrated to stay below legal definitions of war
* Democracies use the same tools as their adversaries.
bit.ly/UnSpunPod
Reposted by Professor Amanda Sturgill
When your tactics get your foe's government to quit coming to work, replacing it with a meme war, something's working for you.
I learned a lot researching this, including the concept of "autopropaganda," which seems to be where the US is now.
I learned a lot researching this, including the concept of "autopropaganda," which seems to be where the US is now.
November 5, 2025 at 2:09 AM
When your tactics get your foe's government to quit coming to work, replacing it with a meme war, something's working for you.
I learned a lot researching this, including the concept of "autopropaganda," which seems to be where the US is now.
I learned a lot researching this, including the concept of "autopropaganda," which seems to be where the US is now.
When your tactics get your foe's government to quit coming to work, replacing it with a meme war, something's working for you.
I learned a lot researching this, including the concept of "autopropaganda," which seems to be where the US is now.
I learned a lot researching this, including the concept of "autopropaganda," which seems to be where the US is now.
November 5, 2025 at 2:09 AM
When your tactics get your foe's government to quit coming to work, replacing it with a meme war, something's working for you.
I learned a lot researching this, including the concept of "autopropaganda," which seems to be where the US is now.
I learned a lot researching this, including the concept of "autopropaganda," which seems to be where the US is now.
New on the UnSpun #Podcast this week: The media's role in hybrid wars and why you may already be a casualty. Find it here or wherever you pod. bit.ly/UnSpunPod
November 5, 2025 at 2:06 AM
New on the UnSpun #Podcast this week: The media's role in hybrid wars and why you may already be a casualty. Find it here or wherever you pod. bit.ly/UnSpunPod
Idle Monday thought: Universities are having a moment thinking about how to deal with generative AI (ban it? teach it? something else?)
It feels like whatever is picked, it could be used as a political weapon against institutions.
It feels like whatever is picked, it could be used as a political weapon against institutions.
November 3, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Idle Monday thought: Universities are having a moment thinking about how to deal with generative AI (ban it? teach it? something else?)
It feels like whatever is picked, it could be used as a political weapon against institutions.
It feels like whatever is picked, it could be used as a political weapon against institutions.
If you have a grade schooler, maybe throw a couple of extra snacks in their lunchbox this week to give to the teacher, who will know which kids need them.
Do you have gift cards you haven't used that can be used to buy groceries?
Grocery stores, WalMart, Target, Amazon (can order to pick up at Whole Foods), warehouse clubs
This is a good time to call the social worker at your local school and see if families have need.
Grocery stores, WalMart, Target, Amazon (can order to pick up at Whole Foods), warehouse clubs
This is a good time to call the social worker at your local school and see if families have need.
November 3, 2025 at 11:33 AM
If you have a grade schooler, maybe throw a couple of extra snacks in their lunchbox this week to give to the teacher, who will know which kids need them.
Sunday sillies: nerdy knowledge edition. IYKYK
Art by Aram J. French
Find him here: www.patreon.com/cw/mandatory...
Art by Aram J. French
Find him here: www.patreon.com/cw/mandatory...
November 2, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Sunday sillies: nerdy knowledge edition. IYKYK
Art by Aram J. French
Find him here: www.patreon.com/cw/mandatory...
Art by Aram J. French
Find him here: www.patreon.com/cw/mandatory...
It's not all inspiring, but I do recommend Daily Dose of Internet on YT.
Social media can push us to the dark side, with negative content. A new study finds watching inspiring videos for just 3 minutes a day is on par with meditation for boosting mood and reducing stress.
Got 3 minutes? This habit may help boost hope and reduce stress
Social media can push us to the dark side, with negative content. A new study finds watching inspiring videos for just 3 minutes a day is on par with meditation for boosting mood and reducing stress.
n.pr
November 2, 2025 at 11:50 AM
It's not all inspiring, but I do recommend Daily Dose of Internet on YT.
I'm personally donating to emergency food programs, because obviously this is bad.
If you are on team personal responsibility, wouldn't you be ashamed that your employees need handouts?
I'm also wondering where my tax money is presently going.
If you are on team personal responsibility, wouldn't you be ashamed that your employees need handouts?
I'm also wondering where my tax money is presently going.
November 2, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I'm personally donating to emergency food programs, because obviously this is bad.
If you are on team personal responsibility, wouldn't you be ashamed that your employees need handouts?
I'm also wondering where my tax money is presently going.
If you are on team personal responsibility, wouldn't you be ashamed that your employees need handouts?
I'm also wondering where my tax money is presently going.
I teach journalism, so it hurts a little more when I have academic integrity issues with students. Like, if you are willing to cheat because it's hard, civil society can maybe find a different way to use you.
November 1, 2025 at 1:01 PM
I teach journalism, so it hurts a little more when I have academic integrity issues with students. Like, if you are willing to cheat because it's hard, civil society can maybe find a different way to use you.
Reposted by Professor Amanda Sturgill
The goal of the News Creator Corps is to "flood social platforms with accurate information." www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/a-ne...
A new fellowship is all about putting the news in news creator
The goal of the News Creator Corps is to "flood social platforms with accurate information."
www.niemanlab.org
November 1, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The goal of the News Creator Corps is to "flood social platforms with accurate information." www.niemanlab.org/2025/10/a-ne...