What happens when the way we make sense of the world is mediated by platforms designed to reward speed, outrage, and attention?

In this episode of Art of Citizenry, host Manpreet Kaur Kalra speaks with Dr. Kate Starbird, professor at the University of Washington and co-founder of the UW Center for an Informed Public. They discuss rumors, misinformation, disinformation, conspiracy theories, AI-generated content, and the fragile state of trust in our communication ecosystem.

Every day, we’re confronted with an overwhelming volume of information. Breaking news alerts, viral videos, social media posts shared by friends, influencers, politicians, and strangers. We scroll through competing claims about everything ranging from elections to natural disasters, and increasingly, content generated by artificial intelligence. 

But misinformation is not only a problem of falsehoods. It is also a problem of uncertainty. Rumors spread because it is human nature to try to make sense when things are not clear. And social media platforms have transformed that deeply human process into something more dangerous, more fragmented, and easier to manipulate.

Together, we explore: 

This conversation asks us to consider the bigger question: can a society govern itself if people no longer believe they can know what is happening? And if we want to hold social platforms accountable for the worlds they help create, we also have to ask who has the power to enforce that accountability, and whose definition or truth is protected when they do.

Meet Our Guest

Kate Starbird is a Professor in the Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering (HCDE) at the University of Washington and co-founder of the UW Center for an Informed Public. Her research sits within the fields of human-computer interaction and crisis informatics — or the study of how social media and other digital technologies are used during crisis events. Currently, she focuses on the spread of online rumors, misinformation, and disinformation during crises, elections, and breaking news events. In particular, she investigates the *participatory* nature of rumors and online disinformation campaigns, exploring both top-down and bottom-up dynamics.

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