The Friends of the Lehigh University Libraries invite you to join us on Wednesday, February 23, 2022 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. via Zoom for Conspiracy Theories and the Manufacture of Dissent, presented by Dr. Anthony DiMaggio, Lehigh Associate Professor in the Department of Political Science.

Dr. DiMaggio's presentation emphasizes the rise of modern conspiracy theories in an era of rampant misinformation and disinformation. He will discuss his research findings in relation to the primary factors that fuel public acceptance of conspiracies, with a specific focus on conspiracies of the last decade, including the "death panels" controversy and the Affordable Care Act, birtherism, QAnon, "Big Lie" election propaganda, and Covid-19 misinformation and conspiracies. His presentation will look at the importance of political parties, in addition to traditional news, alternative news, and social media consumption, and their power in increasing Americans' susceptibility to conspiracies.

About the speaker:

Dr. Anthony DiMaggio’s research emphasizes the interactions between politics, social movements, the news media, and the American right. He is the author of 11 books, including Rising Fascism in America (2022), Unequal America (Routledge 2021), and Rebellion in America (Routledge 2020). He has been an active participant in social movement politics for the last two decades, and is an avid social commentator.

The lecture will be followed by a Q&A session led by Boaz Nadav Manes, Lehigh’s University Librarian. This event is free and open to the public.

Please register in advance. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

Sponsored by The Friends of the Lehigh University Libraries.

View the recording