What is disinformation?

Prototypical instances of disinformation include deceptive advertising (in business and in politics), government propaganda, doctored photographs, forged documents, fake maps, internet frauds, fake websites, and manipulated Wikipedia entries. Disinformation can cause significant harm if people are misled by it. In order to address this critical threat to information quality, we first need to understand exactly what disinformation is. This paper surveys the various analyses of this concept that have been proposed by information scientists and philosophers (most notably, Luciano Floridi). It argues that these analyses are either too broad (that is, that they include things that are not disinformation), or too narrow (they exclude things that are disinformation), or both. Indeed, several of these analyses exclude important forms of disinformation, such as true disinformation, visual disinformation, side-effect disinformation, and adaptive disinformation. After considering the shortcomings of these analyses, the paper argues that disinformation is misleading information that has the function of misleading. Finally, in addition to responding to Floridi’s claim that such a precise analysis of disinformation is not necessary, it briefly discusses how this analysis can help us develop techniques for detecting disinformation and policies for deterring its spread

Progressive Housing Policy in the 21st Century: A Contrarian View

After years of cutbacks to housing programs in Canada, there has emerged a consensus that a progressive housing policy requires significant construction of new social housing units to address both the problems of housing affordability and homelessness. This paper argues that large scale social housing should not be the focus of progressive housing policy in the 21st century. We should use the progressive goals of the original welfare state, but we should modify the programs designed to meet these goals. The paper examines the income and personal insecurities faced by low-income households today, contrasting them with the insecurities faced in the early postwar period, and concludes that social housing is poorly suited to the problems of today. To deal with housing affordability problems, the focus should be upon employment programs, education and training, and income support, not upon new social housing. Furthermore, expansion of social housing would do little to help the homeless. The focus of progressive housing policy should be on programs to directly help the homeless. This requires a coordinated combining of housing first with social support programs: a supportive housing strategy

A Survey and Content Analysis of Army Manuals Held by the National World War II Museum Archives

This study is a content analysis of a collection of several hundred Army manuals published by the War Department, the precursor of the United States Department of Defense (U.S. War Department, 2013). The manuals were in varying conditions, address a variety of topics, and were published in years surrounding and during World War II

Moving Beyond Apathy to Environmental Action

It\u27s so nice here compared to Toronto. The air is fresh and the water is so clear. You people don\u27t have any problems. The city is such a polluted mess. I\u27d like to help out but I don\u27t know where to start, plus, it seems hopeless! These are comments of frustrated, environmentally aware high school students who have participated in residential school programs at the Boyne River outdoor and environmental education centre. During their stay of up to a week, their lives have been enriched through a range of outdoor, hands-on, learning experiences. They may have gained a new perspective of the land through cross-country skiing. They may have learned something of the diversity of life through a stream study. Students may have challenged themselves through ropes-course activities and gained self-confidence. Through regular informal evaluations with students and teachers, we felt we were achieving many of our goals. The students reported more knowledge and awareness of their environment. They often developed a greater feeling of self-worth and a greater understanding of each other. Despite this positive feedback, this new understanding about themselves and the environment was not the leading to responsible environmental behavior, but instead to frustration and apathy. Our students are aware of current environmental problems, but they don\u27t know what to do or how to do it. Our objective was to develop a program which culminated in positive environmental action

Social Skill Program Development: A Bottom-Up Approach

This Doctoral Capstone Experience involved developing and implementing a social skills group program for current clients at an occupational therapy outpatient pediatric clinic. The purpose was to provide an additional service for the clinic that clients could participate into further progress one’s social-emotional and social interaction skills. The program was developed for peers alike to learn and enhance their social skills within a realistic and supportive environment. Based on the mentor and client’s needs at Arcadia Center for OT, a social skill program was developed that integrated the bottom-up approach