RANE Insights: COVID-19 What Makes Conspiracy Theories go Viral

In this Episode of the RANE Insights podcast series, RANE Founder and Chief Collaborative Officer, David Lawrence convenes a roundtable of experts to discuss the origin, virality and consistency of conspiracy theories.

As the COVID-19 virus has proliferated across the globe, so too has the spread of conspiracy theories purporting to explain the virus’ creation and purpose, ranging from theories about Bill Gates to the virus being a US bioweapon. Amid an environment filled with mistrust and uncertainty, the pandemic has provided a perfect breeding ground that enables niche conspiracies to circulate rapidly and even move into the mainstream, which is resulting in behavioral changes that are risking health and safety around the world. RANE experts share their insights on why conspiracy theories go viral amid a pandemic and how to formulate corporate responses that can stem the spread of disinformation. 

Participants
David Broniatowski, Director of the Decision Making and Systems Architecture Laboratory, George Washington University
David conducts research in decision making under risk, group decision making, the design and analysis of complex systems, and how behaviors spread online. This research program draws upon a wide range of techniques including formal mathematical modeling, experimental design, automated text analysis and natural language processing, social and technical network analysis, and big data. His work on systematic distortions of public opinion about vaccines on social media by state-sponsored trolls been widely reported in the academic and popular press.

Robert Ludke | Senior Consultant, ENODO
Bob joined ENODO to provide strategic consultation across different topics and industries. Throughout his career, Bob has advised policymakers in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives, taught at the U.S. International University in Nairobi, Kenya, provided counsel on strategy, reputation management, and public affairs to the largest companies in the world, and led numerous crisis engagements and reputation building campaigns. He has developed an expertise in assisting organizations on CSR, sustainability, and environment, social, and governance (ESG) practices to bolster their brand, safeguard their reputations, and drive business results.

Dr. Scott Shumate, Founder of Valutare
Valutare is a behavior psychology consulting firm which provides risk assessments of client personnel including insider threat and pre-hire screening. Dr. Shumate has over 27 years of experience as a lead behavioral psychologist with the Intelligence Community, where he conducted psychological assessments and studies on a wide range of groups. He can assist clients with Psychological Assessments and Studies, Intelligence Community Support Services, Cultural Intelligence Training and Linguist Support Services.

Matthew Siegel, CMO and Head of Global Client Group, Aperture Investors
Matthew’s career has focused on the application of new technologies and digital marketing strategies to industries undergoing transformation, primarily in media and entertainment. Most recently, Matthew served as Chief Digital Officer at Roc Nation, where he built and managed functions including digital and social marketing, data science and analytics, product development and digital business development. Previously, he ran part of Viacom’s digital music portfolio and led strategy for the company’s internal incubator. He was the co-founder of Indaba Music, a successful startup that developed one of the first crowdsourcing platforms.