Andrew Gelman — Discussion of the value of a mathematical model for the dissemination of propaganda

On manufacturing controversy where there is none.

Also about relevance of mathematical modeling.

Short, not wonkish.

The propaganda ideal is to manufacture consent and that is too difficult, to manufacture controversy that paralyzes action. This is similar to the military strategy of achieving victory and where that is not possible to sew chaos.

Statistical Modeling, Causal Inference, and Social Science
Discussion of the value of a mathematical model for the dissemination of propaganda
Andrew Gelman | Professor of Statistics and Political Science and Director of the Applied Statistics Center, Columbia University