Open AccessMemetic rhetorical theory: an analytic model for the spread of information online
Author(s) -
Carleigh J. Davis
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
res rhetorica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.101
H-Index - 1
ISSN - 2392-3113
DOI - 10.29107/rr2021.4.2
Subject(s) - rhetorical question , credibility , epistemology , computer science , sociology , linguistics , philosophy
Modern discourse is often characterized by such extreme polarization that participants operate from entirely different sets of facts. These alternative facts represent a new line of inquiry for rhetoricians, who must determine how false facts gain credibility. This article outlines Memetic Rhetorical Theory (MRT), a model for understanding how information evolves to become credible in a given environment.