Fake News, Witch Hunts, and Mind Control: An Infodemiologist’s Guide to the Truth

What’s the truth and what’s a lie? What is the difference between misinformation and disinformation? How can I tell the difference?

Looking to weaponize information, talking heads and other so-called experts use disinformation and conspiracy theories to prey on our fears and emotions. Why? It can be to get us to act and behave in a certain way. It may be done for some gain like money, power, or even an election.

There is so much being done to create and craft messages to counter disinformation but not as much to explain the infodemic itself. Not much to explain science, health and other topics to those unfamiliar with it. To be fair, it can be difficult to explain one’s field or passion because we are immersed in it and know it well. We don’t always know what others don’t know. What seems obvious may not be.

That’s where this book comes in. Fake News, Witch Hunts, and Conspiracy Theories is truth-telling through research and education to help you survive the infodemic.

Dr. Hoffmann is a former dean of the Jandoli School of Communication, the School of Graduate Studies, and an entrepreneur. She received her doctorate and master’s degree in communication from the State University of New York at Buffalo and her Bachelor of Science degree from St. Bonaventure University. Her research and teaching focus on conflict management, conflict resolution, and corporate communication and strategy. Prior to going into academia, Dr. Hoffmann worked as corporate communications manager for The CRS Companies and for Catholic Health.

She has taught courses in Business Writing, Marketing Communication Research, Organizational Structures and Behavior, Communication and Influencing Skills, and Leading Change. She has also developed courses in Health Communication and Communication in Conflict, and she oversaw independent study projects in Communication Research Methods and an MBA Special Topics course in Sustainable Community Development.