Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

> misinformation (false information spread unintentionally), disinformation (false information spread intentionally), and malinformation (factual information shared, typically out of context

First I heard of 'malinformation'.

I always thought it was the other two at play (misinformation & disinformation), especially disinformation used in propaganda and influence operations.

I also thought disinformation doesn't have to be 'false information'. It can be information used to shape a narrative, factually correct or not.

Anyway this new word 'malinformation' helps if it means we really need to distinguish between all three words.

Also these China-style crackdowns on people shaping political narrative via social media is ridiculous. Nothing wrong with using the net for organized dissent & speaking truth to power.




We need terms like "malinformation" when we're trying to censor things that are true. It's important to create new language when we're trying to guide people's thinking down preferred channels.


Considering everythat happened this past decade of mismanagement you'd think priority 1 would be limiting how tools can be used in bad faith rather than creating new ones of horrifying unchecked scope.


See also cognitohazards (true information which is harmful just to know).

Roko's Basilisk is the perfect toy example. But on a global level the possibility of nuclear arms is a more real world example.

There are many kinds of dangerous true information.

In liberal societies we accept these risks and counter them with harm reduction while relying on trust in individual autonomy, not on policing.


As I understand it, misinformation isn't necessarily unintentional. Disinformation is a type of misinformation.

"Mis" is wrong. "Dis" is intentionally wrong. "Mal" is using real information for bad purpose (to lead you to a wrong conclusion by giving you out of context info, or to injure with information, like with doxxing).


)




Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: