Invisible Rulers

The People Who Turn Lies into Reality

By: Renée DiResta

Narrated by: Anna Caputo

A brilliant, original analysis of the radical shift in the dynamics of power and influence, revealing how the machinery that powered the Big Lie works to create bespoke realities revolutionizing politics, culture, and society.

Renée DiResta’s powerful, original investigation into the way power and influence have been profoundly transformed reveals how a virtual rumor mill of niche propagandists increasingly shapes public opinion. While propagandists position themselves as trustworthy Davids, their reach, influence, and economics make them classic Goliaths—invisible rulers who create bespoke realities to revolutionize politics, culture, and society. Their work is driven by a simple maxim: if you make it trend, you make it true.

By revealing the machinery and dynamics of the interplay between influencers, algorithms, and online crowds, DiResta vividly illustrates the way propagandists deliberately undermine belief in the fundamental legitimacy of institutions that make society work. This alternate system for shaping public opinion, unexamined until now, is rewriting the relationship between the people and their government in profound ways. It has become a force so shockingly effective that its destructive power seems limitless. Scientific proof is powerless in front of it. Democratic validity is bulldozed by it. Leaders are humiliated by it. But they need not be.

With its deep insight into the power of propagandists to drive online crowds into battle—while bearing no responsibility for the consequences—Invisible Rulers not only predicts those consequences but offers ways for leaders to rapidly adapt and fight back.

This booked wrecked me emotionally and I’m grateful it did.

This was an emotional rollercoaster type of experience. At moments, the intensity of my feelings made me want to stop (or throw my airpods away), yet I couldn’t—and I’m so glad I didn’t. The last chapter, left me feeling more informed, self-aware, and, surprisingly, optimistic. I highly recommend it.

the more things change...

Propaganda is not new but has morphed and expanded. Essential insight into the wierding of online and offline communication by lucrative tale-spinning influencers. How propaganda ate the internet. Some helpful hints on doing some things but more on how it unfolded and laying out and connecting the elements than providing a complete set of fixes. Especially valuable for gaining a sense of orientation as to what is going on and what types of responses haven't been working so as to help figure out more options for the future and not dispair. Getting a grip on what is going on is in itself empowering and that is a direct counter to the purpose of the propaganda to disorient, and cause disengagement. So the overall effect of the book feels to me hopeful and a foundation for staying engaged and figuring out better options for future communication world, Kind of like pulling one boot out of the mud and looking for a better place to put it down, while being very aware of the other boot still being deep in the mire. Since the author didn't read the book, I was very glad to hear her voice on the Moderated Content podcast June 12, 2024, during which she discusses the book and interacts with Annalee Newitz, author of Stories are Weapons (apparently not yet available as an audiobook) as well as Alex Stamos and Evelyn Douek on the book's topics. I think on the podcast their interactions add a bit more about what to do. As the two authors respond to one another and to questions, they expand a bit more on some points.

explains a lot

Cogent analysis explaining a new, near insurmountable, barrier to an informed citizenry. Recommend to your friends buried in social media

high quality, very academic.

dense book. we'll researched. unfortunately no one who really needs to hear this book will listen to it. important info nonetheless.

Distortions in public opinion on social media

Serious analysis of problems and advantages of new media platforms and how to combat their worse tendencies