Beware of wave of disinformation

To the Times:

The two most recent public opinion polls, both from highly respected and very reputable polling organizations, present a fundamentally different perspective on the state of the race for the Democratic nomination to run for president.

One poll had Joe Biden up over Elizabeth Warren by a huge 15 points and the other had Warren up over Biden by a considerable seven points, an incredible swing of 22 points. Which is right, which more accurately represents reality? We simply do not know, as we have no basis to judge the statistical reliability of their polling methodology. Here is a case where confusion is sown by well-meaning people whose objective is not to be misleading, but to offer fair and unbiased data.

How can we possibly withstand the onslaught of disinformation from the myriad bad actors whose avowed goal is to deliberately obfuscate and deceive us for their own personal agendas. Simply put, when we have no way to discern fact from fiction and truth from falsehood, we are easy prey for foreign governments who would like to influence our opinions and views.

We are easy targets for the purveyors of disinformation, especially when that information comports with our per-existing beliefs. But, these efforts are most damaging when disinformation gets us to question and doubt what we previously believed was true and thereby influences our future choices. When these choices involve who to vote for in a presidential election, the consequences can be monumental.

The public is ripe for manipulation and exploitation, and, in 2020 it will be harder then ever to discern what is true and what is not. These disinformation campaigns may (once again some say) alter the outcome of an election. All we can do is to be on guard, but, sadly, this likely will offer scant protection from those who want to disceive us.

Ken Derow, Swarthmore

We are easy targets for the purveyors of disinformation, especially when that information comports with our per-existing beliefs.