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Meet Karen Troussier (artist and disinformation campaigner)
In a recent session, I had the pleasure of interviewing Karen Troussier, an artist and disinformation campaigner to exposing fake news and tackling online impersonation.
Karen’s commitment to rooting out misinformation is inspiring, and she exemplifies the essential role members like her play in maintaining a democratic and independent organisation, one free from corporate influence and driven by the values of its community.
During our conversation, I invited Karen to imagine her fantasy cultural year, a playful exercise filled with surprises, personal anecdotes, and laughs along the way.
Karen shared her journey from theatre to activism, describing how her background in the arts equipped her to navigate diverse environments. In one unique job with a diamond company, her theatre training even inspired her to create a fictional persona for the role.
Today, her work centres on exposing fake information, especially on social media, where she regularly encounters fake celebrity accounts designed to mislead. Although Karen has made progress in reporting these accounts, she spoke about the ongoing need for vigilance and more resources, particularly skilled videographers who could help her broaden her reach. Her goal is to increase awareness around the dangers of misinformation in today’s society.
Karen and I discussed the broader challenges of combating conspiracy theories and the impact misinformation has on public trust and cultural narratives. Candidly, she recounted her experiences debunking conspiracy theories linked to high-profile events and individuals. She also shared her collaborations with renowned doctors and researchers in France who support her mission, underscoring the widespread professional recognition of this urgent work.
As our conversation turned lighter, I encouraged Karen to envision her ideal cultural itinerary for the year ahead. This hypothetical adventure included a prestigious New York foundation backing her year-long research on misinformation, along with a book deal, TED Talk, and even a television series.
In this scenario, Karen would travel first-class to the U.S., stay in a luxury suite in New York’s Freedom Tower, and immerse herself in domestic research on conspiracy theories. She filled out this fantasy with her personal touches, such as listening exclusively to Ben Harper’s music and dining at a restaurant in Greenwich Village.
Together, we explored Karen’s cultural interests, taking her on a virtual tour of New York’s iconic arts and entertainment scene. Her picks ranged from a Shakespearean tragedy to a contemporary ballet by Ballet Rambert, the Broadway musical Cats, and an opera performance of Tosca. Her film choice was A Star is Born, which she noted she hadn’t finished and looked forward to experiencing fully for its emotional storytelling.
To conclude, I envisioned a celebratory dinner for Karen, her partner, and a special guest of her choice. She chose her late mentor, Georges Vard, a revered theatre director from Geneva, who left a lasting impact on her career and personal philosophy.
As we wrapped up, Karen and I exchanged our mutual appreciation. I thanked her for her valuable contributions to the Arts and Culture Network and for her tireless efforts in the challenging realm of online information.
This engaging dialogue highlighted Karen’s dedication to authenticity and truth and underscored the network’s commitment to supporting artists who use their influence to benefit society.
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Mark Walmsley FRSA FCIM AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
Arts & Culture Network
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Mark Walmsley FRSA AGSM
Chief Culture Vulture
Arts & Culture Network
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