Renee DiResta

A brilliant, original investigation into the radical shift of power as invisible rulers create bespoke realities revolutionizing politics, culture, and society.

Anyone who wishes to destroy legitimate political and social power has a new weapon. It is the anarchist's dream, 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.

What we used to call influence has become something violently toxic. Renée DiResta gives us a powerful original framing to explain how it now shapes public opinion through a virtual rumor mill of niche propagandists. While they position themselves as trustworthy “Davids”, their reach, influence, and economics make them classic Goliaths, invisible rulers who create bespoke realities that control the destinies of millions of people, their work driven by a simple maxim: “if you make it trend, you make it true.”

By revealing the machinery and the dynamics of the interplay between influencers, algorithms, and online crowds, DiResta vividly illustrates the way belief in the fundamental legitimacy of institutions that make society work is deliberately undermined.  This alternate system for shaping public opinion, unexamined until now, is rewriting the relationship between the people and their government in profoundly disturbing ways.

From taking on and defeating California’s anti-vaxxers a decade ago to uncovering the ways that China and Russia target the American public and our elections, - and now herself a target of Congressmen Jim Jordan and hyper-partisans of the lunatic fringe – DiResta has not merely been an observer of the machinery promulgating the Big Lie and the unyielding culture wars. As analyst, investigator, and participant, she provides unprecedented insight into the way influencers shape the opinion and behavior of massive crowds, with the power to drive those crowds into battle – while bearing no responsibility for the consequences. 

The People Who Turn Lies into Reality

Invisible Rulers

Ryan Vinyard

Brady Forrest

Thanks to the decreasing cost of prototyping, it's more feasible for professional makers and first-time entrepreneurs to launch a hardware startup. But exactly how do you go about it? This book provides the roadmap and best practices you need for turning a product idea into a full-fledged business. Written by three experts from the field, The Hardware Startup takes you from idea validation to launch, complete with practical strategies for funding, market research, branding, prototyping, manufacturing, and distribution. Two dozen case studies of real-world startups illustrate possible successes and failures at every stage of the process. Validate your idea by learning the needs of potential users Develop branding, marketing, and sales strategies early on Form relationships with the right investment partners Prototype early and often to ensure you're on the right path Understand processes and pitfalls of manufacturing at scale Jumpstart your business with the help of an accelerator Learn strategies for pricing, marketing, and distribution Be aware of the legal issues your new company may face

Building Your Product, Business, and Brand

The Hardware Startup

Nick Pinkston

With the decreasing cost of prototyping, it’s now more feasible for professional Makers and first-time entrepreneurs to develop a hardware startup. But how exactly do you go about it? This book provides the roadmap and best practices you need for turning a product idea into a full-fledged business. Featuring real-world case studies with experts from the field—from pre-prototype to shipping, and business idea to incorporated company—this book illustrates successes and failures at every stage of a hardware startup. There are plenty of resources to help you build a software startup, but the same ecosystem doesn’t yet exist for starting a hardware company. The Hardware Startup provides the answers you need to get going. Delve into the manufacturing process, from pre-prototype to model to a device that’s ready to ship Use incubators and accelerator programs to help get your business off the ground Learn fundraising methods, from crowdfunding a product or business to growing a network of angel investors or venture capitalists Understand relevant legal issues, including manufacturing and liability concerns, incorporation, and creating a corporate structure

Renee DiResta

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