Technology
Meta staff reportedly discussed whisper strategy to discredit Jonathan Haidt
Slashdot reports that court filings show Meta staff discussed a 'whisper strategy' against social psychologist Jonathan Haidt, though it is unclear whether any plans were carried out.
The short version
- According to court documents reported by Slashdot, Meta staff discussed a 'whisper strategy' to undermine Jonathan Haidt, a critic of social media.[Slashdot]
- Meeting minutes in the filing reportedly show staff discussed how to get the academic community to disavow Haidt.[Slashdot]
- It is not clear whether Meta acted on the ideas in the minutes, which predate Haidt's 2024 book.[Slashdot]
Key facts
- Meta staff reportedly discussed deploying a 'whisper strategy' to undermine Jonathan Haidt, according to court documents.[Slashdot]
- Minutes of internal meetings in a US legal filing show staff discussed how to get the academic community to disavow Haidt.[Slashdot]
- A document titled 'Well-being Meeting Sound-check Notes' refers to turning other academics against Haidt and debunking his work.[Slashdot]
- Minutes from a March 8, 2023 meeting contain an apparent reference to Meta's then vice-president of research, Curtiss Cobb.[Slashdot]
- The minutes were produced before Haidt published his 2024 book, The Anxious Generation.[Slashdot]
What remains uncertain
Sources
Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.