I’ve gotten a few questions over the last day about why I decided to call my Substack The Freedom Academy. The reason is that I was inspired by what I learned about one man’s attempt to combat disinformation and propaganda, and fortify our democracy, during the Cold War. Here is his story:
It's interesting that the Freedom Academy originally focused on the Soviets. We still face Soviet threats (see 2016 presidential election) but also threats from China, Iran and domestically. Looking forward to this course.
I really like Alan Grants idea. Today we’re inundated by disinformation and I am thankful that you are sharing some of your expertise with us and I am looking forward to your lessons.
I share your concern as disinformation spreads through our everyday lives. I am hopeful that being able to better recognize these efforts will help me to become a protector of our democracy. Keep up the great work and spread the word.
Asha, like so many worthy, brilliant, and often misunderstood ideas I am not shocked to learn the original freedom academy had so much resistance. It would also have exposed the ways in which the US was conducting similar operations abroad, AND, the means by which this was being done by the US government or interested parties to all of us as citizens.
Look at how misinformation or outright lies are used in political speech, which is hard to control under the 1st amendment. It be one’s almost Orwellian. If people are educated in these tactics, they are no longer so malleable and controllable as it seems with the cult of “Trump, MAGA”
Question - the impact of what's going on in the cyber world extends well beyond the borders of America, so I wanted to ask if your 'course' applies to those living abroad.
Dec 9, 2022·edited Dec 9, 2022Liked by Asha Rangappa
Your allusion today to the mysterious domain of “civics” suggests that it might offer a useful platform for moving some of Grant’s ideas forward. Should the “chief justice” be responsible to chair a Grant-like commission to avoid the inevitable corrosion of a fully independent body? The legislative branch would be a no-go in this regard and past attempts by the executive (recently Carter and JFK) to promote “civic responsibilities” have fizzled.
Given simple technical training, our 7th graders are smart enough to identify and decode the COVID disinformation that the media’s headline writers will not. Should the Freedom Academy promote early education in statistics? I think California is moving in this direction already. After 3 years of pandemic, we all should be able to explain Simpson’s Paradox (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simpson's_paradox), it is not that hard.
Maybe your substack could be the seed of a modern middle school civics curriculum, I hope you can find a way to be introduced to Sal Kahn (https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics), his content seems to bypass the legacy educational bureaucracy and associated political challenges. This stuff cannot be delegated to the churches, the Boy Scouts or to the NFL.
Exactly what I am looking for, Asha! Most important to me: "the ways in which propaganda and disinformation manipulates consumers’ cognitive biases." I'm looking forward to all of it.
Humbly admitting I have just gone back to the beginning of your Substack. I’ve been wanting to for some time but never have “some time”, doing it anyway today. I find this all so fascinating! I grew up on the south side of Chicago with east coast parents who were very active in political protest. I always joked “I was going to marches before I could walk”. It taught me to question things and look for alternatives. In order to go to high school all students had to pass an Illinois Civics Test. It was a big deal! Does no one do this anymore?
It's interesting that the Freedom Academy originally focused on the Soviets. We still face Soviet threats (see 2016 presidential election) but also threats from China, Iran and domestically. Looking forward to this course.
I really like Alan Grants idea. Today we’re inundated by disinformation and I am thankful that you are sharing some of your expertise with us and I am looking forward to your lessons.
I share your concern as disinformation spreads through our everyday lives. I am hopeful that being able to better recognize these efforts will help me to become a protector of our democracy. Keep up the great work and spread the word.
Interesting, thanks Asha!
I'm happy to be in Dumbledore's army in this case. IRL Order of the Pheonix FTW.
Asha, like so many worthy, brilliant, and often misunderstood ideas I am not shocked to learn the original freedom academy had so much resistance. It would also have exposed the ways in which the US was conducting similar operations abroad, AND, the means by which this was being done by the US government or interested parties to all of us as citizens.
Look at how misinformation or outright lies are used in political speech, which is hard to control under the 1st amendment. It be one’s almost Orwellian. If people are educated in these tactics, they are no longer so malleable and controllable as it seems with the cult of “Trump, MAGA”
Now, it is making sense what your Substack is all about. I look forward to taking your course.
Bravo...worthy goals indeed.
Question - the impact of what's going on in the cyber world extends well beyond the borders of America, so I wanted to ask if your 'course' applies to those living abroad.
Thanks for your work.
I am very excited about this and can’t wait to read your next piece!
The infighting that killed it is one of the most infuriating aspects of Congress. Now with lobbyists and PAC money it's even worse.
Your allusion today to the mysterious domain of “civics” suggests that it might offer a useful platform for moving some of Grant’s ideas forward. Should the “chief justice” be responsible to chair a Grant-like commission to avoid the inevitable corrosion of a fully independent body? The legislative branch would be a no-go in this regard and past attempts by the executive (recently Carter and JFK) to promote “civic responsibilities” have fizzled.
Given simple technical training, our 7th graders are smart enough to identify and decode the COVID disinformation that the media’s headline writers will not. Should the Freedom Academy promote early education in statistics? I think California is moving in this direction already. After 3 years of pandemic, we all should be able to explain Simpson’s Paradox (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simpson's_paradox), it is not that hard.
Maybe your substack could be the seed of a modern middle school civics curriculum, I hope you can find a way to be introduced to Sal Kahn (https://www.khanacademy.org/humanities/us-government-and-civics), his content seems to bypass the legacy educational bureaucracy and associated political challenges. This stuff cannot be delegated to the churches, the Boy Scouts or to the NFL.
Cheers,
Exactly what I am looking for, Asha! Most important to me: "the ways in which propaganda and disinformation manipulates consumers’ cognitive biases." I'm looking forward to all of it.
Humbly admitting I have just gone back to the beginning of your Substack. I’ve been wanting to for some time but never have “some time”, doing it anyway today. I find this all so fascinating! I grew up on the south side of Chicago with east coast parents who were very active in political protest. I always joked “I was going to marches before I could walk”. It taught me to question things and look for alternatives. In order to go to high school all students had to pass an Illinois Civics Test. It was a big deal! Does no one do this anymore?
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