The Art of Conjuring Alternate Realities: How Information Warfare Shapes Your World by Shivam Shankar Singh and Anand Venkatanarayanan, published by HarperCollins India in 2021, is a timely and incisive exploration of how information warfare is fundamentally reshaping societies, politics, and individual perceptions. The book investigates the mechanisms through which politicians, nation-states, cybercriminals, and other actors manipulate the information environment to create competing and often conflicting versions of reality. Drawing on examples from religion, mythology, cybercrime, intelligence operations, and global politics, the authors explain how the battle for control has shifted from physical and economic domains to the domain of information and perception.

The Art of Conjuring Alternate Realities is significant for several reasons:Demystification of Information Warfare: It breaks down the complex mechanisms of information manipulation, making them accessible to lay readers and experts alike.Practical Relevance: The book is highly relevant in an age where misinformation and "fake news" have real-world consequences, from elections to communal violence.Empowerment through Awareness: By explaining how realities are conjured and sustained, the book empowers readers to recognize and counteract manipulation, both as individuals and as members of society.

1. Evolution of Power and ControlThe book traces the evolution of power from brute military strength and economic dominance to the current age, where the ability to shape and control information has become the most significant tool for acquiring and maintaining power. The authors argue that the manipulation of narratives and beliefs is now central to how individuals, organizations, and countries assert influence.2. Information Warfare and Influence OperationsCentral to the book is the concept of "information operations" or "influence operations," which involve the deliberate creation of alternate realities through propaganda, misinformation, and psychological manipulation. The authors demystify these operations, showing how they are not new but have become far more potent and pervasive with the advent of digital technology and social media.3. Human Biases and VulnerabilitiesThe book opens with stories that illustrate how inherent human biases—such as susceptibility to emotion, tribalism, and confirmation bias—are exploited by those seeking to conjure alternate realities. These biases make individuals and societies vulnerable to manipulation, often leading to the widespread acceptance of falsehoods and divisive narratives.4. The Role of Institutions and Social MediaThe authors examine why politicians often see independent institutions as threats and seek to undermine them, and why the conflict between social media giants and governments is inevitable. Social media platforms, in particular, are depicted as new-age imagined communities that can be as influential as nation-states or religious groups, sustained by ritual, storytelling, and community dynamics.5. Polarization and Fragility of SocietyA recurring theme is the increasing polarization of societies, driven by competing realities and echo chambers. The book explains why societies are more divided than ever, why this makes them fragile, and what can be done to restore a sense of shared reality and constructive debate.6. Global and Indian PerspectivesWhile the book uses Indian mythology and pop culture to explain complex concepts, it also provides a global perspective, analyzing how information warfare plays out in international relations, such as the cyber and information conflict between China and the US. It moves beyond Western-centric case studies, offering insights relevant to both Indian and global audiences.

The book's use of Indian epics, mythology, and cultural references makes it uniquely resonant in the Indian context, while its universal themes ensure its relevance worldwide. It draws parallels between ancient forms of narrative control—such as religious storytelling and myth-making—and modern techniques of perception management. This approach helps readers see the continuity in how societies have always constructed and contested realities, but also highlights the unprecedented scale and speed enabled by digital technology today.

Since its publication, the book has contributed to public discourse on the dangers of information manipulation in India and beyond. It has sparked conversations about the responsibilities of political parties, the role of social media companies, and the need for stronger institutions to safeguard truth and democratic debate. The book's insights have been cited in discussions about electoral integrity, communal harmony, and the challenges of regulating digital platforms.By exposing the strategies used by politicians, cybercriminals, and even "godmen" to recruit followers and shape beliefs, the book encourages critical thinking and skepticism. It has helped readers understand why intelligent people fall for scams or cults, why societies remain divided even in the face of clear facts, and why debates increasingly focus on what is "real" rather than what is "right".

The Art of Conjuring Alternate Realities is a compelling and essential read for anyone seeking to understand the forces shaping our perceptions, beliefs, and societies in the digital age. By blending theory, real-life examples, and cultural storytelling, Shivam Shankar Singh and Anand Venkatanarayanan reveal how the war for our minds is being waged—and how we can defend ourselves against it.The book ultimately offers hope: by recognizing the mechanics of information warfare, individuals and societies can develop the resilience needed to preserve reality, restore trust in institutions, and foster healthier, more constructive public discourse. As the battle for control shifts ever more into the realm of information, the insights offered by this book are not just timely—they are vital for the future of democracy and social cohesion.