Conversations in Character
Research-grounded interviews on media, misinformation, and reputation—organized by year.
Fake News, Real Money: How the Adtech Industry Monetizes Misinformation with Joshua Braun
Dr. Josh Braun explains how “normal accidents” rooted in the design of the digital world allow bad actors to profit off fake news, spread junk information, and even destroy local journalism.
The Delusion of Power: A Critical Media Literacy Education with Nolan Higdon
An alternative diagnosis of the media landscape: how the economy misleads consumers about their power, what critical media literacy is (vs. conventional approaches), and why empathy matters when speaking with misinformed friends.
Democratizing Character Assassination
The Revolt of the Public and the Crisis of Reputation with Martin Gurri
A “tsunami of information” strips institutions of authority. Who are the public and the elite? Why is the public receptive to character attacks? Which old-fashioned virtues can protect reputation?
Character Assassination and Reputation Management with Jennifer Keohane
The Power (and Pain) of Silence with Kipling D. Williams
Ostracism’s roots, Cyberball experiments, who recovers faster, and how to help others cope with exclusion.
Political Communications 101 with Sarah Isgur
What political comms pros really do, why some character attacks work and others fail, and the Olympic-curling metaphor.
Psychological Profiling of Political Leaders
How psychological profiles of political leaders are developed and used in campaigns and foreign policy.
Political Humor, Caricature and Saturday Night Live
What SNL’s political portrayals reveal about media, persuasion, and character assassination.
Fallen Idols: Toppling Statues throughout the Ages
Statue controversies in historical perspective—from pharaohs to presidents.
Character Assassination in Political Campaigns
Comparing strategies across countries and the long-term impact of Trump’s political style.
Villains or Minions? Dilemmas in Character Assassination
Public characters—heroes, minions, and villains—and where meaningful change comes from.
An Interview with Eric Dezenhall: Clickbait Journalism and Public Character
Character assassination, defamation, conflict management strategies, and how they play out in fiction.