Person
Renee DiResta's books and book recommendations
Renée DiResta is an American professor, writer and former research manager at Stanford Internet Observatory (SIO). DiResta has written about pseudoscience, conspiracy theories, terrorism, and state-sponsored information warfare. She has also served as an advisor to the U.S. Congress on ongoing efforts to prevent online and social media disinformation. During her appearances on podcasts, she has recommended and discussed several notable titles that explore the mechanics of human behavior and information dissemination. On The Jordan Harbinger Show, DiResta recommended Damon Centola's book How Behavior Spreads, utilizing it to explain the mechanism of complex contagion and how behavior spreads across networks in various ways. During the same appearance, she discussed the academic book On Bullshit by Harry G. Frankfurt, applying its framework to illustrate how certain individuals generate and disseminate information entirely without regard for its truthfulness. Additionally, in another episode of the podcast, the host referenced Annie Duke's book Thinking in Bets while discussing how authorities should appropriately communicate uncertainty with the public. Through these recommendations and discussions, DiResta highlights the critical intersection between academic research, psychological frameworks, and the modern spread of digital information and online misinformation.
Books by Renee DiResta
Books recommended by Renee DiResta
-
How Behavior Spreads
How Behavior Spreads by Damon Centola is a sociological book that examines the mechanics of complex contagion and how behavioral trends propagate through populations.
Recommended“and that was the uh so the idea of complex contagion and how Behavior spreads he has a whole book called How Behavior spreads uh that actually kind of walks through this process in a bunch of different ways”
Where to get it
-
On Bullshit
On Bullshit by Harry G.
Discussed“There is actually now an academic book called ‘On Bullshit!’ and it frames it as information without regard for the truth, right?”
Where to get it
-
Thinking in Bets
Annie Duke's Thinking in Bets is an insightful guide that applies poker strategies and decision-making frameworks to everyday life, teaching readers how to navigate uncertainty and avoid cognitive traps.
Discussed“um in yeah you know in authority and media almost like thinking in bets right Have you ever read that book or heard of your book yeah yeah”
Where to get it
Appearances
Other mentions (1: passing, ad reads, own books)
“What I liked about invisible rulers—the reason I picked that for the title of the book is, as you note, it's a reference to the 1920s.”