Disinformed: A History of Humanity’s Search for the Truth

In this gripping narrative, Dr. Daniel William Lawrence explores humanity’s troubled relationship with truth, from the propaganda tactics of King Sargon of Akkadia to the sophistication of present day hyper-targeted political advertising on social media. Spanning thousands of years of human history, Dr. Lawrence urges us to fight against disinformation and wrest back control of our minds using the critical toolbox of rhetoric: the ancient, lost art of persuasion laid down long ago by Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle. From the first known author, the High Priestess Enheduanna, to the modern-day developments of social media and algorithmic and procedural communication and targeted advertising, Dr. Lawrence shows how rhetoric is not just a tool to persuade and manipulate, but a toolkit for us all to use to evaluate the onslaught of persuasive messaging that we confront in our everyday lives. The time to take back the truth is now.

Dr. Daniel William Lawrence is Assistant Professor of Writing at the University of Wisconsin - Superior where he is a faculty member of the Department of Writing, Language, and Literature. He received his PhD in Rhetoric & Technical Communication from Michigan Technological University and BA in English from Northern Michigan University. Blending the philosophy of technology, digital media theory, and classical rhetoric, Dr. Lawrence connects ancient rhetorical concepts to contemporary life and issues in technology in his work. His textbook, Digital Writing: A Guide to Writing for Social Media and the Web, is a rhetorical guide to the rhetorical and ethical use of digital tools. His peer-reviewed research has appeared in Digital Ethos: Evaluating Computer-Mediated Communication, Teaching Reading and Writing in the Era of Fake News, Harlot: A Revealing Look at the Arts of Persuasion, among other places. Dr. Lawrence was born in Marquette, MI in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan where he enjoys visiting with family. He keeps a cozy home in Superior, WI with his wife and three children, where they enjoy gardening, walking, and talking about Hobbits, humans, language, and the universe. Visit www.danlawrenceauthor.com, and follow @DrDanLawrence on Twitter and DrDanLawrence on YouTube.