Debunk It! Fake News Edition

Debunk It! ain't bunk--it's the real deal on how anyone can learn to see through disinformation and find their way to the truth, regardless of the source or topic. In an era where too many people purposefully or unwillingly spread lies, misinformation and just plain old propaganda, this book offers a clear and actionable way forward to a better understanding of the world and our place in it. Plus it shines a light on some of the most vile examples of misinformation and gives you the straight story on some of today's most lied-about issues. An essential book for our modern era.--John R. Platt, editor, The Revelator

A helpful and humorous tool to help teens understand and unpack the proliferation of unethical nonsense. Grant's (Eureka!: 50 Scientists Who Shaped Human History, 2016, etc.) authorial voice--sometimes clever, sometimes corny--helps readers understand the spread of misinformation in the media and ways to detect such falsifications. Grant unpacks the rhetorical strategies by which liars and spin doctors operate, allowing readers to better distinguish and analyze quote mining, cherry-picking, intimidation, false anomalies, and other deceptive traps. Although Grant overuses the word 'bullshit, ' the message is clear: We live in a world where facts frequently go unchecked and misinformation spreads instantaneously. Thoughtfully and methodically examining case studies such as climate change deniers and anti-vaxxers, Grant guides readers in a clearheaded yet entertaining approach to distinguishing falsehoods from facts. The value of this volume goes far beyond the news, as the author explains psychological traps such as confirmation bias and stereotyping and the tragedy of the prejudice that led to a slow response to the AIDS crisis, among other examples. Originally published in 2015, this revised and updated edition includes an additional section on fake news and even addresses how that term is misappropriated. This introduction to the importance of critical thinking in the age of misinformation is both well researched and academic as well as teen friendly. In an era of fake news, click-bait, and viral media, this book demands to be read.--Kirkus Reviews