Changes

[[File:Defeat-Disinfo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|McCrystal ran a Democrat funded operation against President Trump during the 2020 presidential election.]]

[[File:Defeat-Disinfo.jpg|right|300px|thumb|McCrystal ran a Democrat funded operation against President Trump during the 2020 presidential election.]]

The group, Defeat Disinfo, will use [[artificial intelligence]] and network analysis to map discussion of the president's claims on social media. It will seek to intervene by identifying the most popular counter-narratives and boosting them through a network of more than 3.4 million influencers across the country – in some cases paying users with large followings to take sides against the president.

The group, Defeat Disinfo, will use [[artificial intelligence]] and network analysis to map discussion of the president's claims on social media. It will seek to intervene by identifying the most popular counter-narratives and boosting them through a network of more than 3.4 million influencers across the country – in some cases paying users with large followings to take sides against the president.

 

The initiative reflects fears within the [[Democratic Party]] that Trump's unwavering digital army may help sustain him through the [[pandemic]], as it has through past controversies...The initiative is run by Curtis Hougland, whose received initial funding for the technology from [[DARPA]], the Pentagon's research arm, as part of an effort to combat extremism overseas. He insists Democrats are ill-prepared for the looming battle over information and attention, which is bound to play an outsize role in November.}}

The initiative reflects fears within the [[Democratic Party]] that Trump's unwavering digital army may help sustain him through the [[pandemic]], as it has through past controversies...The initiative is run by Curtis Hougland, whose received initial funding for the technology from [[DARPA]], the Pentagon's research arm, as part of an effort to combat extremism overseas. He insists Democrats are ill-prepared for the looming battle over information and attention, which is bound to play an outsize role in November.}}

McChrystal said his interest in the PAC is about ensuring the accuracy of information leading up to the election, even if it involves chasing viral attention with emotional appeals and other tactics rewarded by online clicks.

McChrystal said his interest in the PAC is about ensuring the accuracy of information leading up to the election, even if it involves chasing viral attention with emotional appeals and other tactics rewarded by online clicks.

Hougland's PAC differs from more traditional Democratic-aligned PACs, such as [[Priorities USA]] and [[American Bridge 21st Century]], in embracing the practice of paying influencers to convey their messaging. The approach raised eyebrows and prompted tech companies to clarify their rules when it was put into practice by the [[Michael Bloomberg 2020 presidential campaign]].  "I have no trepidation about paying content creators in seeking out and amplifying the best narratives," Hougland said.

Hougland's PAC differs from more traditional Democratic-aligned PACs, such as [[Priorities USA]] and [[American Bridge 21st Century]], in embracing the practice of paying influencers to convey their messaging. The approach raised eyebrows and prompted tech companies to clarify their rules when it was put into practice by the [[Michael Bloomberg 2020 presidential campaign]].  "I have no trepidation about paying content creators in seeking out and amplifying the best narratives," Hougland said.

Stephanie Berger, a former national finance director for the Democratic National Committee, is raising funds for the initiative, which is an extension of Hougland's technology company, Main Street One. Andrew Tobias, a former DNC treasurer, was an earlier investor in the start-up. Main Street One's leaders were previously involved in cultivating digital narratives in [[Eastern Europe]]an [[Color Revolution]]s and have now waded into American politics. The organization ran a campaign that paid influencers to boost [[Kentucky]] Democrats before the gubernatorial election last fall. A super PAC supporting Sen. [[Cory Booker]] of New Jersey in his bid for the Democratic nomination paid Main Street One more than $500,000 for similar services in 2019.

Stephanie Berger, a former national finance director for the Democratic National Committee, is raising funds for the initiative, which is an extension of Hougland's technology company, Main Street One. Andrew Tobias, a former DNC treasurer, was an earlier investor in the start-up. Main Street One's leaders were previously involved in cultivating digital narratives during the [[Maidan coup]] and have now waded into American politics. The organization ran a campaign that paid influencers to boost [[Kentucky]] Democrats before the gubernatorial election last fall. A super PAC supporting Sen. [[Cory Booker]] of New Jersey in his bid for the Democratic nomination paid Main Street One more than $500,000 for similar services in 2019.

Hougland said his aim is to maintain the "largest repository of content against Trump," and to be nimble in boosting organic material that is already performing well, such as videos produced by the Biden campaign.

Hougland said his aim is to maintain the "largest repository of content against Trump," and to be nimble in boosting organic material that is already performing well, such as videos produced by the Biden campaign.