Discussion Guide

Below are a series of discussion questions that may prove useful for a book club or classroom setting. (Hint: Evil professors might even use these for essay assignments!)

What is LikeWar? How is it changing not just war and politics, but the Internet itself?

What do Donald Trump, ISIS, Chicago gangs, Wendy’s, and Taylor Swift have in common?

How did the history of the Internet shape our wars and politics today?

Can we keep secrets anymore?

What government tactics to controlling the web are the most effective and why?

What has Crowdsourcing meant to politics, war, and reporting?

Why are we are own worst enemies to finding the truth online? Give an example from your own personal experience

What is the real story of fake news? How does it work, where it comes from?

Why do things go viral online?

Why did Russia’s online attacks on the U.S. work so well?

What lessons do you think other groups will take from ISIS’s online efforts?

Why does trolling work?

How did the Trump campaign actually win, and what does it mean for the future of not just politics, but war?

What wins the “wars you cannot see”?

Is Silicon Valley’s job to police the web? Why or Why not?

What policies would you suggest to social media firm leaders?

Name an example of a news story in the last month that showed the lessons of LikeWar. What advice would you offer to the relevant leaders, reporters, audiences involved?

Pick a song and lyric from the Music Playlist and explain what it captures about the phenomenon of Likewar.