This book explores the phenomenon of distortion of information through media via the lens of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the ways in which relevant information distortion and virality have occurred in regard to the disease and its risks.

Brian H. Spitzberg, Senate Distinguished Professor Emeritus in the School of Communication at San Diego State University, is author or coauthor of over 175 scholarly publications on communication competence, media and the dark side of communication, including meme and misinformation diffusion, assessment, interpersonal communication competence, jealousy, conflict, threats, coercion, violence, and stalking.

1. Virus = Language / Language = Virus 2. Meme Level: Constraints of an Attention Economy/Ecology 3. Individual Level: Misinformation Motives 4. Meme x Individual Level: Message Processing 5. Social Network Dynamics Level 6. Societal/Cultural (Media) Ecosystem and Geotechnical Levels 7. Whither Progress?