The Fake News Effect: Why We Engage and How to Stop | Dr. Elesa Zehndorfer | TEDxKlagenfurt
NOTE FROM TED: This talk only represents the speaker's personal views and understanding of evolution, the brain, and social media. TEDx events are independently organized by volunteers. The guidelines we give TEDx organizers are described in more detail here: http://storage.ted.com/tedx/manuals/tedx_content_guidelines.pdfWhy are we so easily seduced by fake news, and why do we share it more than the truth? In this talk, Elesa Zehndorfer dives into the psychology behind fake news—exploring how storytelling, emotions, and evolutionary instincts make us vulnerable to disinformation. Through examples from politics, science fiction, and social media trends, she reveals how fake news exploits our negativity bias and hijacks our brains. This talk challenges us to spot fake news strategies and make more mindful choices.
Dr. Elesa Zehndorfer is an eMBA lecturer and award-winning author known for her books on politics and leadership, including Evolution, Politics & Charisma: Why do Populists Win?, Leadership: Performance Beyond Expectations, and the forthcoming Post Truth Politics: A Brave New World? (Routledge). Over two decades, she has presented at conferences across Europe, America, and Asia, and worked at leading universities. In 2023, she spoke at the European Liberal Forum conference on disinformation in Whitehall. Elesa manages the Political Animals and Animal Spirits blog on Psychology Today and is a founding partner of Lakeside Partners GmbH. With a PhD from Loughborough University, her interest in physiology informs her work as a Personal Trainer and Pilates coach and influences her research on how physiology impacts decision-making and emotions in politics, finance, and business. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
More from TED
- 11:55How to regain control of your shopping addiction | Nadia Morozova | TEDxRomaCan the time we spend on shopping be considered as well spent? In this TEDx talk, Dr. Nadia Morozova, Chief Analytics & Insights Officer at Enriched Insights, shares highlights from years of consumer behavior research she conducted in the marketing industry and academia. We spend around 10 days on shopping in a year, while millennials spend almost 35 days a year on researching things to buy on-line. How can we make sure that this time is well spent? Applying a research methodology, which Dr. Nadia Morozova developed during her PhD, she found that close to three quarters of purchases inspired by social media platforms can be classified as unplanned. This TEDx talk provides further insights on the role of different types of purchases in building a positive shopping experience and provides recommendations on specific ways we as consumers can evaluate our time spent on shopping. Nadia is an award-winning analytics and insights expert with around 15 years of international experience from working in large multinational companies.Nadia currently holds the position of Chief Analytics & Insights Officer at Enriched Insights and the focus of her work is to support companies in implementing strategies that focus on customers and consumers by connecting academic and consumer research.In the midst of the age of consumerism, Dr. Morozova’s role is to reconstruct and transform business functions and market strategies, thanks to her keen long-term vision and understanding of the modern consumer. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 15:12You think you have the right to an attorney...but do you? | Olivia Lombardo | TEDxYaleIn criminal court, the Constitution guarantees a lawyer. But in civil cases—where your home, children, or safety are at stake—you’re on your own. 90% of low-income Americans face evictions, custody battles, and domestic violence hearings without legal help, while opponents often have expensive counsel. The result? A system where justice depends on wealth. From tenants wrongly evicted to families chased down by debt collectors, this talk exposes the hidden crisis of civil justice—and why "equal justice under law" collapses when you can’t afford a lawyer. Olivia is a senior at Yale studying Political Science as an Intensive major. Her research examines how race and class shape access to justice, particularly in civil courts where people lack access to legal representation. As a founding member and Co-Director of the Yale-Student Association for Small Claims Assistance (Y-SASCA), Olivia has worked at the forefront of addressing representation gaps through direct service. Olivia has worked in public defense in New Haven and Washington, D.C., and for U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand as a Women in Government Fellow. Olivia aims to challenge assumptions about justice and advocate for more robust legal protections for vulnerable groups using innovative solutions. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 8:51The Courage To Be Seen | Ketut Permata Juliastrid Sari (Tata Juliastrid) | TEDxUEFKetut Permata Juliastrid, was crowned Miss Cosmo 2024 at the inaugural international pageant held at Saigon Riverside Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on October 5, 2024. Representing Indonesia, she triumphed over 55 contestants to claim the prestigious title. With over 300,000 followers and 15 million likes on Instagram, she is not only a beauty queen but also a model, speaker, and social activist. She captivates audiences with her intelligence and eloquence, advocating for sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and support for local artisans. Beyond her title, she collaborates with various organizations to raise awareness about cultural conservation, community support, and sustainable fashion initiatives. Ketut Permata Juliastrid, was crowned Miss Cosmo 2024 at the inaugural international pageant held at Saigon Riverside Park, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, on October 5, 2024. Representing Indonesia, she triumphed over 55 contestants to claim the prestigious title. With over 300,000 followers and 15 million likes on Instagram, she is not only a beauty queen but also a model, speaker, and social activist. She captivates audiences with her intelligence and eloquence, advocating for sustainable tourism, cultural preservation, and support for local artisans. Beyond her title, she collaborates with various organizations to raise awareness about cultural conservation, community support, and sustainable fashion initiatives. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 8:56Why Leaving 'Quê' Was the Best Decision of My Life | Can Nguyen | TEDxUEFCan is a dynamic Training and Development Manager at Hotel Indigo Saigon - part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading international hotel groups. With a strong foundation in HR, coaching, and team building, he has a talent for turning everyday challenges into powerful opportunities for growth. As a visiting lecturer and frequent guest speaker at universities, Can shares stories from his own journey - how stepping into the unknown and embracing change helped him build meaningful success. Through these personal experiences, he inspires students to develop their leadership, communication, and self-growth skills. With nearly 400,000 followers on social media, Can uses storytelling as a bridge to connect with young people, encouraging them to explore their passions, take bold steps, and unlock their full potential. Can is a dynamic Training and Development Manager at Hotel Indigo Saigon - part of IHG Hotels & Resorts, one of the world’s leading international hotel groups. With a strong foundation in HR, coaching, and team building, he has a talent for turning everyday challenges into powerful opportunities for growth.As a visiting lecturer and frequent guest speaker at universities, Can shares stories from his own journey - how stepping into the unknown and embracing change helped him build meaningful success. Through these personal experiences, he inspires students to develop their leadership, communication, and self-growth skills.With nearly 400,000 followers on social media, Can uses storytelling as a bridge to connect with young people, encouraging them to explore their passions, take bold steps, and unlock their full potential. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 16:33We Prepare to Survive Disasters But Not to Cope With What Comes After | Kate Brady | TEDxUNSW SalonNatural disasters not only impact those who are directly affected by their sheer destructible potential, but they also create aftershocks that weaken individuals and communities across the globe. Dr Kate Brady sheds light on an issue that we, as a community, are far too often ignorant of: the fact that even after the earthquake has passed, even after the tallest wave has crashed, even after the storm has settled, the disaster continues. A self-proclaimed “disaster recovery nerd”, Dr. Kate Brady has spent over a decade shaping how Australia – and the world – thinks about life after crisis. From leading as a National Recovery Adviser for Australian Red Cross Emergency Services to working as a Senior Research Fellow at UNSW’s for How We Survive initiative, Dr. Brady brings sharp insight into what has long been overlooked: the sobering reality of disaster recovery. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx A self-proclaimed “disaster recovery nerd”, Dr. Kate Brady has spent over a decade shaping how Australia – and the world – thinks about life after crisis. From leading as a National Recovery Adviser for Australian Red Cross Emergency Services to working as a Senior Research Fellow at UNSW’s for How We Survive initiative, Dr. Brady brings sharp insight into what has long been overlooked: the sobering reality of disaster recovery. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
- 16:18Why entrepreneurs should talk about their losses | Igor Vainshtein | TEDxWilmingtonIn this TEDxWilmington talk, Igor Vainshtein redefines failure as a powerful reset button rather than a dead end. By applying principles of gamification, he shows how entrepreneurs can turn setbacks into strategies and grow through play, not just pressure. Igor challenges us to embrace agility, share our failures openly, and rewrite the rules of success with curiosity and courage. Igor Vainshtein is a startup serial entrepreneur, best-selling author and the inventor of Entrepreneurpoly, a groundbreaking board game that captures the highs, lows, and realities of entrepreneurship. His entrepreneurial journey began at 17, scaling numerous ventures across industries, including e-commerce, technology, manufacturing, and golf.As the founder of 24/7 Golf, Igor achieved remarkable success, expanding to the USA, and securing a successful exit to GOLFTEC. He continues to innovate in the space with Golftrak.app, a cutting-edge solution that helps golfers improve their game using just their phone.A best-selling author of Practical Manifestation and Agile Manifestation, Igor provides actionable strategies for turning dreams into reality, blending principles of project management and agile systems. His work has inspired countless entrepreneurs to embrace resilience, adaptability, and bold thinking. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx
