Fake News Frenzy
Crafting a DIY Board Game to Mock Media Manipulation
By Mike Mankiewicz
[email protected]
Photo by Jorge Franganillo on Unsplash
It would seem the Society we live in actually stands for “Strategically Omitting Critical Information Enabling Trivial Yarns.” Everywhere you turn, it’s another disinformation campaign.
Why do we call it disinformation when it’s actually lies? Do we call it disinformation because it sounds more acceptable? It makes it seem like a cheeky little rascal is to blame.
Our big game is establishing a world where the truth is a rare commodity, auctioned off to the highest bidder. Welcome to the absurdity of modern information warfare!
Today, cable news stations are used as weapons right before our eyes. At least when they developed the atomic bomb, they did it in secret. Fake news is a full-blown industry. Tech giants manipulate narratives for their gain.
What do you say to a satirical exploration of the ludicrous world of disinformation? Who needs an educated and informed society anyway?
But we won’t stop there. To truly grasp the ridiculousness of it all, we’ll introduce a DIY board game that you can create using repurposed items to mock the world of the Deception Dealer.
Picture a board game where players battle to spread the most outrageous fake news and score points doing it! You know, just like cable news stations.
Have cable news on and challenge each other as to what part of the story was fact, what was opinion, and what was just plain sensationalism.
Use old washed-out K-Cups to design your own custom game pieces and recycled paper as currency to catch and kill stories. Better yet, take the sensational story and run with it, making it as outrageous as you possibly can!
Search around the house and find coins, bottle caps, colored paper clips, Post-it notes, dice, buttons, chips, or tokens for the most creative player to use as medals, trophies, and awards. Magazine cutouts or index cards can create your own unique playing deck.
The fun is mocking people who try to use lies to manipulate us by creating a board game that pokes fun at their tactics.
Just make sure the rules include:
– Creating ways to twist and manipulate events and conversations to influence public opinion.
– Using fake accounts, bots, and paid influencers to spread harmful content more widely.
– Using social media ad tools to find and engage the people most likely to spread false information.
– Using fake accounts and trolls to silence journalists, opposing views, and honest content.
And don’t forget the snacks! Here are some simple “information snack” recipes for your disinformation party:
Misinformation Meatballs
– 1 pound ground beef
– 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
– 1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese
– 1 egg
– 2 cloves garlic, minced
– Salt and pepper to taste
– 1 cup barbecue sauce
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Combine beef, breadcrumbs, Parmesan, egg, garlic, salt, and pepper in a large bowl.
- Shape the mixture into small meatballs and place on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes, until cooked through.
- Toss meatballs in barbecue sauce before serving.
Conspiracy Crackers and Cheese
– Assorted crackers
– Assorted cheeses (cheddar, gouda, brie, etc.)
– Assorted spreads (honey, jam, mustard, etc.)
- Arrange crackers and cheese on a platter.
- Serve with spreads for guests to mix and match.
Fake News Nachos
– Tortilla chips
– 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
– 1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese
– 1/2 cup black beans
– 1/2 cup corn kernels
– 1/4 cup sliced jalapeños
– 1/4 cup chopped tomatoes
– 1/4 cup chopped green onions
– Sour cream and salsa for serving
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Spread tortilla chips on a baking sheet.
- Sprinkle with cheeses, beans, corn, jalapeños, tomatoes, and green onions.
- Bake for 10-15 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve with sour cream and salsa.
Plus!
You can’t have misinformation snacks without a sensational beverage!
Mix Mango, Apple, Grape, and Orange juice to create a refreshing MAGO Juice! This fruity drink allows players to add their own “truth drops” (sparkling water or something stronger).
These recipes can be a playful and tasty way to highlight the often skewed nature of cable news, providing a fun atmosphere for your Disinformation Party!
