Indivisible Truth Brigade: Use your voice to counter disinformation

Disinformation poses a significant threat, not only by spreading falsehoods but by being deliberately used to create harmful policies and laws. This deliberate spread of false information, often targeting marginalized communities like people of color and the LGBTQ+ community, aims to divide people, undermine trust in institutions and each other, and consolidate authoritarian power. Tax dollars are even wasted defending dubious executive orders and directives based on these lies in court, and the legal challenges can inadvertently give more attention and legitimacy to the original falsehoods.

To combat this, the Indivisible Truth Brigade is highlighted as a grassroots-driven network focused on persuasive communication. This network has logged over 600 million online impressions (though measurement methods have changed) and over 2,000 offline conversations in 2024 alone. With around 13,000 members, the Brigade has been working since August 2020 as part of the Indivisible civics/education wing.

The Brigade's core strategy involves an evidence-based framework that seeks to shift mindsets, including their own, acknowledging that everyone is impacted by disinformation. Their approach is structured using the Indivisible Truth Sandwich, based in part on George Lakoff's work, but adapted to prioritize persuasion. The sandwich has three parts:

Discover: Starting by sharing truthful common ground and shared values. Humans are less likely to share disinformation when they feel seen and respected. Finding common ground, such as a shared concern for children's health or family finances, is crucial.
Disrupt: Gently causing a pause by encouraging critical thinking and asking questions. This involves prompting people to think about where they heard information or who might benefit from its spread. Asking questions gently after establishing common ground is a form of "accuracy inoculation". The goal is to prompt second thoughts, not to be "right". Argument tends to entrench opposition.
Dream: Inspiring one another and encouraging positive collective action.

This strategy works because it engages the "explorer brain" (the thinking brain) rather than the reactive "caveman brain" (the emotional/fear-based brain). People are more likely to listen when they feel psychologically safe and trust the messenger. The focus is primarily on persuading those who are misinformed, not necessarily those who are deliberately spreading lies or are deeply entrenched in their beliefs. It is recognized that persuading people is a long process, and sometimes it is necessary to walk away from harmful or unproductive conversations.

A current campaign, "When Lies Make Laws," focuses on how lawmakers push policies based on disproven theories. The core message is "When lies make laws, conspiracy becomes policy". The strategy involves asking people to consider who benefits and who is left out when these laws are proposed.

Individuals can get involved with the Indivisible Truth Brigade in several ways:

Utilizing the message frameworks and explainers provided by the Brigade.
Sharing messages on preferred online platforms or writing letters to the editor.
Engaging in productive offline conversations using the "truth sandwich" structure.
Practicing non-engagement with harmful content online – avoiding clicks, comments, or shares on negative or nasty posts as it only gives them more attention.
Amplifying the truthful messages shared by others.
Joining AMP teams (Amplification Teams), a pilot project focusing on specific online platforms like Reddit, where organized amplification has shown significant reach. Individuals can sign up to be an AMP team guide or an amplifier.
Becoming a Truth Brigade Ambassador to share monthly updates and resources with local groups.
Signing up to join the Indivisible Truth Brigade to receive weekly emails and resources.

The goal of this work is to counter harmful lies and advocate for policies that solve real problems, emphasizing that it's a community effort.