Separation Anxiety: A New Birther Meme

I am intrigued and often amused at the dynamics of misinformation and disinformation, because they lay bare the elements of effective, credible narratives and identify our blind spots. They often seem to generate a higher speed of distribution if they can tap into a latent need in the audience.

For instance, look at the effectiveness of the corporate archive footage of Rockwell's Retroincabulator (and the subsequent update, the Turbo Encabulator). There are lessons to be learned there.

One recent local example would be the spoof FOP Press Release that did, in fact, become a news story that refreshed public awareness of the issue and took on a life of its own when the authorities over-reacted.

Originally from Alex Leary of the St. Petersburg Times, via Politico, we have this video developed on behalf of US Senate wannabee Steve Welch:



I have to wonder if introducing yourself to the electorate by demonstrating your capacity for smooth, glossy disinformation is going to have unintended consequences. (If, in fact, elections still have consequences — but that is a topic for another day.)

A Countdown of Sorts: 3 Days and a Wake Up