20 ms·

I'm rather bothered that I know nothing about Soros except a bunch of vague, negative feelings about him that have pop-culturally osmosed to me through constant

I'm rather bothered that I know nothing about Soros except a bunch of vague, negative feelings about him that have pop-culturally osmosed to me through constant usage of his name in 4channish/the_donaldish media. He's some kind of evil mastermind destroying civilisation with his vast wealth. I know this is almost certainly not true, but I'm so bothered that this is my immediate thought. I feel like the alt-right has succeeded in partially hijacking some of my brain. Mayb some of you will think I'm some kind of easily-manipulated idiot and that you would never fall prey to similar thought processes. That we're all too smart to really believe Facebook and that "critical thinking" is all we need. That the things Soros is talking about in this article could never happen to us. I in turn think that this kind of intellectual arrogance is a bit dangerous and precisely leads to the kind of manipulation that social media can have on us.

toastking 9y ago
It's also been experimentally proven that people have issues discerning fake news online. Our news literacy is falling rapidly. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/23/503129818/study-finds-students-have-dismaying-inability-to-tell-fake-news-from-real https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/23/503129818...
- olavk 9y ago
  Why do you think it is falling? As far as I can see, the article does not mention repeating this experiment over time.
- bornonline1 9y ago
  I was under the assumption that our news literacy was never high enough to begin with. So to say "fall rapidly" seems misleading.
  - a_tractor 9y ago
    Yeah seems more like people are used to passively consuming knowledge and information from consolidated media, all pushing a rather narrow, barely even two-sided narrative of world events, and so are still adjusting to, and indeed inadequately prepared for, an information landscape that for the first time in a long time isn't so tightly controlled and delivered. There is also the assumption that literacy in general was ever this high...
  - B1FF_PSUVM 9y ago
    If anything, the last couple of years have been very enlightening.
- Brockenstein 9y ago
  People have a problem discerning fake news in general. We just live in a society where so much noise is generated it's literally impossible for any individual human being to sort it out on a day to day basis. And that's only if you're consciously aware of the problem and flaws and weaknesses of human beings. If you're ignorant about either subject, or both, or don't accept that it applies to you somehow, forget it. You're relying on those flaws to guide your way and then it's just Garbage In, Garbage Out.
- CandidlyFake 9y ago
  It's the only way the news industry stays in business. Not just in the US but around the world.
Slansitartop 9y ago
> I'm rather bothered that I know nothing about Soros > He's some kind of evil mastermind destroying civilisation with his vast wealth. Those characterizations may have their origins in an element of truth, dating from the early 90s. Paul Krugman described his Soros's actions thusly: > [N]obody who has read a business magazine in the last few years can be unaware that these days there really are investors who not only move money in anticipation of a currency crisis, but actually do their best to trigger that crisis for fun and profit. These new actors on the scene do not yet have a standard name; my proposed term is 'Soroi'.[65] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros#1992_pound_short https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros#1992_pound_short)
- justherefortart 9y ago
  The principals of finance are the same for everyone. Just because the UK (like Mexico, Argentina, and most of SE Asia) decided to ignore the rules, doesn't make him a bad person. It makes him an intelligent investor. When you're screwing with monetary policy and most college kids (in finance and economics) know what you're doing will blow up in your face. To assume investors won't take advantage is not only naive but ignorant. Play stupid games with your policy, win stupid prizes. This would be like turning over the Fed's duties to the US Congress. If this ever happens, diversify in other currencies, tangible assets, and precious metals. Because it's going to be a hell of a ride.
  - raverbashing 9y ago
    I'm sure the medical companies that sold HIV infected blood products to countries that didn't check for the HIV virus were also "intelligent investors" in your mind. Or the Chiquita fruit company It might not be illegal but ethics come back to you
    - cornholio 9y ago
      There is nothing unethical in taking money away from a first world government in fair market deals, within the rules set out by those same governments. They employ tens of thousands of well paid experts who's job is exactly to maximize national interest and who would not blink an eye to crush investors like Soros, would the places be reversed. Comparing that to poor individuals who were abused by large corporations is disingenuous.
luckydata 9y ago
Have you tried reading something about it? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros#1992_pound_short https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros#1992_pound_short George Soros is an investor that has never been shy about using his wealth to support his political positions (that are generally very liberal). Now you know pretty much all there is to know, and why the al-right hates him. Oh, and that he survived Nazi-Germany occupated Hungary. The last thing especially hurts the feelings of the alt-right - although I prefer to call them Nazis.
- devmunchies 9y ago
  >Now you know pretty much all there is to know From a Wikipedia page? Don't be naive. > although I prefer to call them Nazis. I guess you just like to speak in hyperbole.
  - luckydata 9y ago
    You're cute. This is a picture for the "alt-right" protest in Charlottesville in Virginia. http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/170814010139-charlottesville-white-supremacists-tiki-torch-780x439.jpg http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/170814010139-charl... Either Nazis or a very bad case of post workout muscle soreness.
  - RestlessMind 9y ago
    > I guess you just like to speak in hyperbole Some excerpts from a detailed article[1] about an alt-right leader: It was in this spirit that Anglin “doxed” Gersh and her husband, Judah, as well as other Jews in Whitefish, by publishing their contact information and other personal details on his website. He plastered their photographs with yellow stars emblazoned with jude and posted a picture of the Gershes’ 12-year-old son superimposed on the gates at Auschwitz. He commanded his readers—his “Stormer Troll Army”— to “hit ’em up.” ... On July 4, 2013, The Daily Stormer launched in beta mode, replacing Total Fascism. Anglin named his new site after Der Stürmer, a virulently anti-Semitic Nazi-era weekly that Hitler had read devoutly. (As Anglin would later write, the official policy of his site was: “Jews should be exterminated.”) ... The Stormers had a private chat server through a company called Discord, and I used an alias to listen in as they talked amongst themselves about genocide, often in graphic terms. “All I want is to see [Jews] screaming in a pit of suffering on the soil of my homeland before I die,” Auernheimer wrote. “I don’t want wealth. I don’t want power. I just want their daughters tortured to death in front of them and to laugh and spit in their faces while they scream.” ... So yes, at least some prominent members of alt-right are nazis in deeds and words. [1] https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/12/the-making-of-an-american-nazi/544119/ https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/12/the-mak...
127 9y ago
It only works because at some moment your brain thinks it's part of the same in-group and thus starts adopting what is said automatically and integrating them into your personality. It's really strange how it happens, but also very understandable. The tribal and sectarian effect in me (and I assume also in rest of human beings) is really, really strong, and really subtle.
forgottenpass 9y ago
I know this is almost certainly not true, but I'm so bothered that this is my immediate thought. I feel like the alt-right has succeeded in partially hijacking some of my brain. You noticed propaganda because you have built mental roadblocks for the alt-right. You would probably have just operated on the assumption, if it wasn't for the fact your brain also noticed the links to something you distrust and kicked the thought upward for further inspection. I don't think you're an easily manipulated idiot. It happens to all of us. Propoganda works; that's why people use it. BUT, now that you have seen exactly how it works, you owe it to yourself to leverage that discovery into making your brain reject more propaganda (especially the kind you're predisposed to agree with).
DenisM 9y ago
Soros funded a great chunk of Russian science throug the rough nineties, and got nothing in return but the gratitude from the scientists and students. The government kicked him out afterwards. He will forever remain a philanthropist in my mind.
spinchange 9y ago
If you want to know more about him or his philanthropic work, I suggest checking out what his charitable foundation: https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/about https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/about He's also written a number of books, some a better read than others, but I find all of his ideas interesting, even if his communication of them is at times a little dense. (It's clear he is or wants to be a philosopher at heart) It is striking the way he's demonized. When you press people (like in person, not on the internet) why they think he's the devil incarnate, you usually get some really wild ad hominem not rooted in reality or a realization that they don't really know why they hate him so much other than he's a benefactor of their political opposition and they were told to. It does have an effect, even subconsciously, after a while
- kbenson 9y ago
  > When you press people (like in person, not on the internet) why they think he's the devil incarnate, you usually get some really wild ad hominem not rooted in reality or a realization that they don't really know why they hate him so much other than he's a benefactor of their political opposition and they were told to. Sure, but we could probably say the same of the Koch brothers. They both occupy similar positions of power and influence on opposite sides of the fence, and suffer similar attacks.
  - spinchange 9y ago
    I've never seen people claim the Koch's literally aided and abetted the Nazis (this is something that's actually claimed about Soros in spite of fleeing Europe with his parents as an adolescent). There's a hatred and fear of Soros that surpasses his political activities. He's pretty active with bonafide "do gooder" stuff and it's equated with Pizzagate-style conspiracies and worse that you don't see on the opposite side of the fence. What I'm saying is, it isn't strictly political and it's certainly not equivocal.
    - tclancy 9y ago
      It's anti-Semitism. The one thing you can say for the ignorant throughout history is that they are both consistent and enthusiastic about their awful beliefs.
siegecraft 9y ago
Not bothered enough to do the work of educating yourself, though?
Spooky23 9y ago
He’s basically a typical big money guy whose business behavior seems amoral. The difference is that he’s politically involved and has a different viewpoint than many.
ryandrake 9y ago
This is something advertisers have known for centuries: if you repeat something enough, it will work it’s way into your brain. It doesn’t even have to be true or even make sense. A lot of things we believe, if we investigate and are honest with ourselves, we only believe because of how often it gets repeated.
Quarrelsome 9y ago
he helped destroy sterling in "black wednesday" by adopting a very short position against it from which he profited massively and families lost their homes due to spike in interest rates implemented by the government to try to reign in the crash.
- rwmj 9y ago
  I think you mean Norman Lamont's idiotic policies did that, backed up by the Bank of England who really should have known better.
jpfed 9y ago
Well, my problem with Soros is my wife attended the Women's March a whole freaking year ago and she still hasn't gotten her check!
- tclancy 9y ago
  Just stop into your local pizza place and ask about uranium.
- paganel 9y ago
  I attended an anti-corruption protest in the capital of my country last year (I live in Eastern-Europe) and I’m also waiting for Soros’s promised pay. On a more serious note, the local branch of his Open Society Foundation financially supported the translation and publishing of a lot of books about democracy and economics in the 1990s, so that we, as a people who had just got rid of Communism, could learn how the capitalist world was being run. I remember reading Hayek’s “Road to Serfdom” in the mid-‘90s as a high-school student thanks to one of those Soros-sponsored translations.
skybrian 9y ago
I think a good habit to pick up would be realizing you're curious about something and reading the Wikipedia page. The one on George Soros is pretty extensive.
InternetUser 9y ago
What are 2 or 3 of the "4channish/the_donaldish" media outlets you are referring to, other than 4chan and The_Donald?
- heurist 9y ago
  Breitbart, Fox, National Enquirer...?
cryptonector 9y ago
There is absolutely nothing wrong (and, really, lots good) with Soros' currency market trades of the 90s and elsewhen. The problem with Soros (if you're not on the Left) is that he's become the principal funding source for a number of hard-left movements. If you are on the Left, then this is good, while if you're not then this is bad. I won't tell you how you should feel about Soros though -- you figure that out for yourself.
- mrguyorama 9y ago
  I personally view small groups of people having such large amounts of power to be undemocratic, whether they be the Koch brothers, or Soros. I may support the same causes he funds and supports, but I'd like it if people like him funding government choices was not possible
  - cryptonector 9y ago
    Why? Via freedom of association we all can (and do!) pool our money very well, and we have more money altogether than the Soroses and Koches of the world.
    - mrguyorama 9y ago
      In a (simplified and ideal) democracy, 1 person, 1 vote. Allowing someone to contribute more than one "vote" (dollar) each is allowing them to out "speak" other contributors. Why do Soros or the Koch brothers deserve to be able to speak louder than me, just because they can?
    - pjc50 9y ago
      The ""1%"" have more than half the world wealth: https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/nov/14/worlds-richest-wealth-credit-suisse https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/nov/14/worlds-ri... This is becoming an increasingly serious problem, that contributions from the general public don't outspend rich people who are keen to push an idea. http://www.harrowell.org.uk/blog/2017/11/19/the-theory-of-the-eccentric-billionaire-and-why-politicians-got-so-awful/ http://www.harrowell.org.uk/blog/2017/11/19/the-theory-of-th... (and http://www.harrowell.org.uk/blog/2018/01/26/pro-market-pro-business-or-just-pro-wealth/ http://www.harrowell.org.uk/blog/2018/01/26/pro-market-pro-b... )
Clanan 9y ago
Soros regularly uses his wealth to pursue political aims throughout the world. He often does this through "philanthropic" groups. For example, UK news stories have been popping up about him spending £700,000 on anti-Brexit movements. The Koch brothers might be a similar comparison? I think that they become bogeymen because their wealth provides substantial power and they're involved with controversial things. On the other hand, people like the Gates focus more on "dry" issues. (Edit: or maybe they have better PR!)
- vondur 9y ago
  I believe he was also heavily involved in the current Ukrainian civil war regarding funding of certain political groups.
severeFever 9y ago
Having been very deep down that rabbit hole of misinformation, it is a miracle that I was able to resurface again with pretty much the same left leaning political stance that I had when I entered. One important takeaway though: "Critical thinking" is important. I'm not sure if people want it though. It is sad that political news and social media are treated as entertainment rather than as a tool. People are very quick to band together around a cause if it will make them feel like a part of something without investigating if that cause is based on any sort of factual information. And "fact checking" is definitely not the solution to this because that is also subject to the same bias. Education is the treatment we have right now. Keep having students read and discuss Lord of the Flies, 1984, and Brave New World. Having skeptical 15-30 year olds will lead to more intuitive solutions down the road.
pjc50 9y ago
The anti-semitic conspiracy theory memes have spread to the Telegraph: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2018/02/nick-timothy-telegraph-george-soros-anti-semitic https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2018/02/nick-... Brexit advocacy has caused the British press to abandon the last vestiges of impartiality or connection to facts. It's going to be all "crush the saboteurs / financiers / international cosmopolitans" from here on out.
CandidlyFake 9y ago
You don't know soros but you think your mind has been hijacked by 4chan, the_donald, etc? No offense, but you comment sounds like something a fan of soros would write. Considering you mentioned the_donald, you're comment reeks of agenda.
mturmon 9y ago
You might enjoy reading some of the articles by Soros from the NY Review. He has written a bunch over the years, generally about an integrated Europe - http://www.nybooks.com/contributors/george-soros/ http://www.nybooks.com/contributors/george-soros/
Shivetya 9y ago
Soros and his ilk; he likes strife and hides behind his philanthropy to misdirect his exploitation of markets and people's fears; are simply upset they don't control social media as they used too. If they had not lost their recent political bets we would hear nothing of this issue and instead have heaps of praise about how these now vilified outlets actually saved democracy. never believe anyone on the political stage let alone those who manipulated it from behind the curtains. these people know how to tailor the image and views they want you to have and prey of petty jealously to simple irrational dislikes.
DangBruhWtf 9y ago
For those who don't know, George Soros is a self-appointed alchemist and currency trader. Powerful and wealthy currency traders, going back since the very invention of moneychanging, have routinely made their fortunes by either waiting and hoping they're lucky enough to have the surfboard ready for massive geopolitical tsunamis... or by being proactive and intentionally creating geopolitical volatility with social engineering, cultural destabilization, and semantic apocalypse. Pathological altruists often whine about war profiteering, but even that sordid business is downstream of and part of a brilliant and comprehensive currency traders arsenal. HackerNews is so goddamned disingenuously oblivious to the realities of currency trading and the thousands of years of misery it makes possible. Ask yourself: Why is HackerNews erasing comments revealing this 100% provable history of forex?
DangBruhWtf 9y ago
So, for those who don't know, George Soros is a self-appointed alchemist and currency trader. Powerful and wealthy currency traders, going back since the very invention of moneychanging, have routinely made their fortunes by either waiting and hoping they're lucky enough to have the surfboard ready for massive geopolitical tsunamis... or by being proactive and intentionally creating geopolitical volatility with social engineering, cultural destabilization, and semantic apocalypse. Pathological altruists often whine about war profiteering, but even that sordid business is downstream of and part of a brilliant and comprehensive currency traders arsenal. HackerNews is so goddamned disingenuously oblivious to the realities of currency trading and the thousands of years of misery it makes possible. Ask yourself: Why is HackerNews erasing comments revealing this 100% provable history of forex?
DangBruhWtf 9y ago
...for those who don't know, George Soros is a self-appointed alchemist and currency trader. Powerful and wealthy currency traders, going back since the very invention of moneychanging, have routinely made their fortunes by either waiting and hoping they're lucky enough to have the surfboard ready for massive geopolitical tsunamis... or by being proactive and intentionally creating geopolitical volatility with social engineering, cultural destabilization, and semantic apocalypse. Pathological altruists often whine about war profiteering, but even that sordid business is downstream of and part of a brilliant and comprehensive currency traders arsenal. HackerNews is so goddamned disingenuously oblivious to the realities of currency trading and the thousands of years of misery it makes possible. Ask yourself: Why is HackerNews erasing comments revealing this 100% provable history of forex?

toastking 9y ago

It's also been experimentally proven that people have issues discerning fake news online. Our news literacy is falling rapidly. https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/23/503129818/study-finds-students-have-dismaying-inability-to-tell-fake-news-from-real https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/11/23/503129818...

olavk 9y ago
Why do you think it is falling? As far as I can see, the article does not mention repeating this experiment over time.
bornonline1 9y ago
I was under the assumption that our news literacy was never high enough to begin with. So to say "fall rapidly" seems misleading.
- a_tractor 9y ago
  Yeah seems more like people are used to passively consuming knowledge and information from consolidated media, all pushing a rather narrow, barely even two-sided narrative of world events, and so are still adjusting to, and indeed inadequately prepared for, an information landscape that for the first time in a long time isn't so tightly controlled and delivered. There is also the assumption that literacy in general was ever this high...
- B1FF_PSUVM 9y ago
  If anything, the last couple of years have been very enlightening.
Brockenstein 9y ago
People have a problem discerning fake news in general. We just live in a society where so much noise is generated it's literally impossible for any individual human being to sort it out on a day to day basis. And that's only if you're consciously aware of the problem and flaws and weaknesses of human beings. If you're ignorant about either subject, or both, or don't accept that it applies to you somehow, forget it. You're relying on those flaws to guide your way and then it's just Garbage In, Garbage Out.
CandidlyFake 9y ago
It's the only way the news industry stays in business. Not just in the US but around the world.

Slansitartop 9y ago

> I'm rather bothered that I know nothing about Soros > He's some kind of evil mastermind destroying civilisation with his vast wealth. Those characterizations may have their origins in an element of truth, dating from the early 90s. Paul Krugman described his Soros's actions thusly: > [N]obody who has read a business magazine in the last few years can be unaware that these days there really are investors who not only move money in anticipation of a currency crisis, but actually do their best to trigger that crisis for fun and profit. These new actors on the scene do not yet have a standard name; my proposed term is 'Soroi'.[65] (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros#1992_pound_short https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros#1992_pound_short)

justherefortart 9y ago
The principals of finance are the same for everyone. Just because the UK (like Mexico, Argentina, and most of SE Asia) decided to ignore the rules, doesn't make him a bad person. It makes him an intelligent investor. When you're screwing with monetary policy and most college kids (in finance and economics) know what you're doing will blow up in your face. To assume investors won't take advantage is not only naive but ignorant. Play stupid games with your policy, win stupid prizes. This would be like turning over the Fed's duties to the US Congress. If this ever happens, diversify in other currencies, tangible assets, and precious metals. Because it's going to be a hell of a ride.
- raverbashing 9y ago
  I'm sure the medical companies that sold HIV infected blood products to countries that didn't check for the HIV virus were also "intelligent investors" in your mind. Or the Chiquita fruit company It might not be illegal but ethics come back to you
  - cornholio 9y ago
    There is nothing unethical in taking money away from a first world government in fair market deals, within the rules set out by those same governments. They employ tens of thousands of well paid experts who's job is exactly to maximize national interest and who would not blink an eye to crush investors like Soros, would the places be reversed. Comparing that to poor individuals who were abused by large corporations is disingenuous.

luckydata 9y ago

Have you tried reading something about it? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros#1992_pound_short https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_Soros#1992_pound_short George Soros is an investor that has never been shy about using his wealth to support his political positions (that are generally very liberal). Now you know pretty much all there is to know, and why the al-right hates him. Oh, and that he survived Nazi-Germany occupated Hungary. The last thing especially hurts the feelings of the alt-right - although I prefer to call them Nazis.

devmunchies 9y ago
>Now you know pretty much all there is to know From a Wikipedia page? Don't be naive. > although I prefer to call them Nazis. I guess you just like to speak in hyperbole.
- luckydata 9y ago
  You're cute. This is a picture for the "alt-right" protest in Charlottesville in Virginia. http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/170814010139-charlottesville-white-supremacists-tiki-torch-780x439.jpg http://i2.cdn.turner.com/money/dam/assets/170814010139-charl... Either Nazis or a very bad case of post workout muscle soreness.
- RestlessMind 9y ago
  > I guess you just like to speak in hyperbole Some excerpts from a detailed article[1] about an alt-right leader: It was in this spirit that Anglin “doxed” Gersh and her husband, Judah, as well as other Jews in Whitefish, by publishing their contact information and other personal details on his website. He plastered their photographs with yellow stars emblazoned with jude and posted a picture of the Gershes’ 12-year-old son superimposed on the gates at Auschwitz. He commanded his readers—his “Stormer Troll Army”— to “hit ’em up.” ... On July 4, 2013, The Daily Stormer launched in beta mode, replacing Total Fascism. Anglin named his new site after Der Stürmer, a virulently anti-Semitic Nazi-era weekly that Hitler had read devoutly. (As Anglin would later write, the official policy of his site was: “Jews should be exterminated.”) ... The Stormers had a private chat server through a company called Discord, and I used an alias to listen in as they talked amongst themselves about genocide, often in graphic terms. “All I want is to see [Jews] screaming in a pit of suffering on the soil of my homeland before I die,” Auernheimer wrote. “I don’t want wealth. I don’t want power. I just want their daughters tortured to death in front of them and to laugh and spit in their faces while they scream.” ... So yes, at least some prominent members of alt-right are nazis in deeds and words. [1] https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/12/the-making-of-an-american-nazi/544119/ https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/12/the-mak...

127 9y ago

It only works because at some moment your brain thinks it's part of the same in-group and thus starts adopting what is said automatically and integrating them into your personality. It's really strange how it happens, but also very understandable. The tribal and sectarian effect in me (and I assume also in rest of human beings) is really, really strong, and really subtle.

forgottenpass 9y ago

I know this is almost certainly not true, but I'm so bothered that this is my immediate thought. I feel like the alt-right has succeeded in partially hijacking some of my brain. You noticed propaganda because you have built mental roadblocks for the alt-right. You would probably have just operated on the assumption, if it wasn't for the fact your brain also noticed the links to something you distrust and kicked the thought upward for further inspection. I don't think you're an easily manipulated idiot. It happens to all of us. Propoganda works; that's why people use it. BUT, now that you have seen exactly how it works, you owe it to yourself to leverage that discovery into making your brain reject more propaganda (especially the kind you're predisposed to agree with).

DenisM 9y ago

Soros funded a great chunk of Russian science throug the rough nineties, and got nothing in return but the gratitude from the scientists and students. The government kicked him out afterwards. He will forever remain a philanthropist in my mind.

spinchange 9y ago

If you want to know more about him or his philanthropic work, I suggest checking out what his charitable foundation: https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/about https://www.opensocietyfoundations.org/about He's also written a number of books, some a better read than others, but I find all of his ideas interesting, even if his communication of them is at times a little dense. (It's clear he is or wants to be a philosopher at heart) It is striking the way he's demonized. When you press people (like in person, not on the internet) why they think he's the devil incarnate, you usually get some really wild ad hominem not rooted in reality or a realization that they don't really know why they hate him so much other than he's a benefactor of their political opposition and they were told to. It does have an effect, even subconsciously, after a while

kbenson 9y ago
> When you press people (like in person, not on the internet) why they think he's the devil incarnate, you usually get some really wild ad hominem not rooted in reality or a realization that they don't really know why they hate him so much other than he's a benefactor of their political opposition and they were told to. Sure, but we could probably say the same of the Koch brothers. They both occupy similar positions of power and influence on opposite sides of the fence, and suffer similar attacks.
- spinchange 9y ago
  I've never seen people claim the Koch's literally aided and abetted the Nazis (this is something that's actually claimed about Soros in spite of fleeing Europe with his parents as an adolescent). There's a hatred and fear of Soros that surpasses his political activities. He's pretty active with bonafide "do gooder" stuff and it's equated with Pizzagate-style conspiracies and worse that you don't see on the opposite side of the fence. What I'm saying is, it isn't strictly political and it's certainly not equivocal.
  - tclancy 9y ago
    It's anti-Semitism. The one thing you can say for the ignorant throughout history is that they are both consistent and enthusiastic about their awful beliefs.

siegecraft 9y ago

Not bothered enough to do the work of educating yourself, though?

Spooky23 9y ago

He’s basically a typical big money guy whose business behavior seems amoral. The difference is that he’s politically involved and has a different viewpoint than many.

ryandrake 9y ago

This is something advertisers have known for centuries: if you repeat something enough, it will work it’s way into your brain. It doesn’t even have to be true or even make sense. A lot of things we believe, if we investigate and are honest with ourselves, we only believe because of how often it gets repeated.

Quarrelsome 9y ago

he helped destroy sterling in "black wednesday" by adopting a very short position against it from which he profited massively and families lost their homes due to spike in interest rates implemented by the government to try to reign in the crash.

rwmj 9y ago
I think you mean Norman Lamont's idiotic policies did that, backed up by the Bank of England who really should have known better.

jpfed 9y ago

Well, my problem with Soros is my wife attended the Women's March a whole freaking year ago and she still hasn't gotten her check!

tclancy 9y ago
Just stop into your local pizza place and ask about uranium.
paganel 9y ago
I attended an anti-corruption protest in the capital of my country last year (I live in Eastern-Europe) and I’m also waiting for Soros’s promised pay. On a more serious note, the local branch of his Open Society Foundation financially supported the translation and publishing of a lot of books about democracy and economics in the 1990s, so that we, as a people who had just got rid of Communism, could learn how the capitalist world was being run. I remember reading Hayek’s “Road to Serfdom” in the mid-‘90s as a high-school student thanks to one of those Soros-sponsored translations.

skybrian 9y ago

I think a good habit to pick up would be realizing you're curious about something and reading the Wikipedia page. The one on George Soros is pretty extensive.

InternetUser 9y ago

What are 2 or 3 of the "4channish/the_donaldish" media outlets you are referring to, other than 4chan and The_Donald?

heurist 9y ago
Breitbart, Fox, National Enquirer...?

cryptonector 9y ago

There is absolutely nothing wrong (and, really, lots good) with Soros' currency market trades of the 90s and elsewhen. The problem with Soros (if you're not on the Left) is that he's become the principal funding source for a number of hard-left movements. If you are on the Left, then this is good, while if you're not then this is bad. I won't tell you how you should feel about Soros though -- you figure that out for yourself.

mrguyorama 9y ago
I personally view small groups of people having such large amounts of power to be undemocratic, whether they be the Koch brothers, or Soros. I may support the same causes he funds and supports, but I'd like it if people like him funding government choices was not possible
- cryptonector 9y ago
  Why? Via freedom of association we all can (and do!) pool our money very well, and we have more money altogether than the Soroses and Koches of the world.
  - mrguyorama 9y ago
    In a (simplified and ideal) democracy, 1 person, 1 vote. Allowing someone to contribute more than one "vote" (dollar) each is allowing them to out "speak" other contributors. Why do Soros or the Koch brothers deserve to be able to speak louder than me, just because they can?
  - pjc50 9y ago
    The ""1%"" have more than half the world wealth: https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/nov/14/worlds-richest-wealth-credit-suisse https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2017/nov/14/worlds-ri... This is becoming an increasingly serious problem, that contributions from the general public don't outspend rich people who are keen to push an idea. http://www.harrowell.org.uk/blog/2017/11/19/the-theory-of-the-eccentric-billionaire-and-why-politicians-got-so-awful/ http://www.harrowell.org.uk/blog/2017/11/19/the-theory-of-th... (and http://www.harrowell.org.uk/blog/2018/01/26/pro-market-pro-business-or-just-pro-wealth/ http://www.harrowell.org.uk/blog/2018/01/26/pro-market-pro-b... )

Clanan 9y ago

Soros regularly uses his wealth to pursue political aims throughout the world. He often does this through "philanthropic" groups. For example, UK news stories have been popping up about him spending £700,000 on anti-Brexit movements. The Koch brothers might be a similar comparison? I think that they become bogeymen because their wealth provides substantial power and they're involved with controversial things. On the other hand, people like the Gates focus more on "dry" issues. (Edit: or maybe they have better PR!)

vondur 9y ago
I believe he was also heavily involved in the current Ukrainian civil war regarding funding of certain political groups.

severeFever 9y ago

Having been very deep down that rabbit hole of misinformation, it is a miracle that I was able to resurface again with pretty much the same left leaning political stance that I had when I entered. One important takeaway though: "Critical thinking" is important. I'm not sure if people want it though. It is sad that political news and social media are treated as entertainment rather than as a tool. People are very quick to band together around a cause if it will make them feel like a part of something without investigating if that cause is based on any sort of factual information. And "fact checking" is definitely not the solution to this because that is also subject to the same bias. Education is the treatment we have right now. Keep having students read and discuss Lord of the Flies, 1984, and Brave New World. Having skeptical 15-30 year olds will lead to more intuitive solutions down the road.

pjc50 9y ago

The anti-semitic conspiracy theory memes have spread to the Telegraph: https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2018/02/nick-timothy-telegraph-george-soros-anti-semitic https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/staggers/2018/02/nick-... Brexit advocacy has caused the British press to abandon the last vestiges of impartiality or connection to facts. It's going to be all "crush the saboteurs / financiers / international cosmopolitans" from here on out.

CandidlyFake 9y ago

You don't know soros but you think your mind has been hijacked by 4chan, the_donald, etc? No offense, but you comment sounds like something a fan of soros would write. Considering you mentioned the_donald, you're comment reeks of agenda.

mturmon 9y ago

You might enjoy reading some of the articles by Soros from the NY Review. He has written a bunch over the years, generally about an integrated Europe - http://www.nybooks.com/contributors/george-soros/ http://www.nybooks.com/contributors/george-soros/

Shivetya 9y ago

Soros and his ilk; he likes strife and hides behind his philanthropy to misdirect his exploitation of markets and people's fears; are simply upset they don't control social media as they used too. If they had not lost their recent political bets we would hear nothing of this issue and instead have heaps of praise about how these now vilified outlets actually saved democracy. never believe anyone on the political stage let alone those who manipulated it from behind the curtains. these people know how to tailor the image and views they want you to have and prey of petty jealously to simple irrational dislikes.

DangBruhWtf 9y ago

For those who don't know, George Soros is a self-appointed alchemist and currency trader. Powerful and wealthy currency traders, going back since the very invention of moneychanging, have routinely made their fortunes by either waiting and hoping they're lucky enough to have the surfboard ready for massive geopolitical tsunamis... or by being proactive and intentionally creating geopolitical volatility with social engineering, cultural destabilization, and semantic apocalypse. Pathological altruists often whine about war profiteering, but even that sordid business is downstream of and part of a brilliant and comprehensive currency traders arsenal. HackerNews is so goddamned disingenuously oblivious to the realities of currency trading and the thousands of years of misery it makes possible. Ask yourself: Why is HackerNews erasing comments revealing this 100% provable history of forex?

DangBruhWtf 9y ago

So, for those who don't know, George Soros is a self-appointed alchemist and currency trader. Powerful and wealthy currency traders, going back since the very invention of moneychanging, have routinely made their fortunes by either waiting and hoping they're lucky enough to have the surfboard ready for massive geopolitical tsunamis... or by being proactive and intentionally creating geopolitical volatility with social engineering, cultural destabilization, and semantic apocalypse. Pathological altruists often whine about war profiteering, but even that sordid business is downstream of and part of a brilliant and comprehensive currency traders arsenal. HackerNews is so goddamned disingenuously oblivious to the realities of currency trading and the thousands of years of misery it makes possible. Ask yourself: Why is HackerNews erasing comments revealing this 100% provable history of forex?

DangBruhWtf 9y ago

...for those who don't know, George Soros is a self-appointed alchemist and currency trader. Powerful and wealthy currency traders, going back since the very invention of moneychanging, have routinely made their fortunes by either waiting and hoping they're lucky enough to have the surfboard ready for massive geopolitical tsunamis... or by being proactive and intentionally creating geopolitical volatility with social engineering, cultural destabilization, and semantic apocalypse. Pathological altruists often whine about war profiteering, but even that sordid business is downstream of and part of a brilliant and comprehensive currency traders arsenal. HackerNews is so goddamned disingenuously oblivious to the realities of currency trading and the thousands of years of misery it makes possible. Ask yourself: Why is HackerNews erasing comments revealing this 100% provable history of forex?