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I think there is a technical solution to this problem though. A structured graph of supporting facts (including an analog of identity for the sources and corrob

I think there is a technical solution to this problem though. A structured graph of supporting facts (including an analog of identity for the sources and corroborators, pointing to the edges) is an excellent datastructure for maintaining a record of reasoning and evidence for a statement of fact. There is, of course, the social issue of convincing people that this is important, but the underlying issue is in part a technical one. I don't think it's fair to disqualify a solution based on the fact that involves technical work.

rootusrootus 8y ago
I'm reminded of the oft-quoted phrase "you cannot reason someone out of a position they did not reason themselves into." I am not trying to disqualify the solution, more like observing that the existence of provable facts has not yet been any sort of antidote for 'fake news' (whether that refers to the real deal, or the position many people take that any news they don't like is fake news).
- abathur 8y ago
  I don't think this sort of effort has to be ironclad to be meaningful. The margins could be a big deal, here. Some sort of attestation toolchain might enable people who care about evidence to produce more strongly-attested cases, and to get a better handle on what is and isn't sourced from others. It seems likely that using good attestation toolchains could create feedback loops for researchers, journalists, archivists, authors, film-makers, educators, students, and other people involved in knowledge production. These feedback loops might change how they research, where they start, how often they have to re-invent wheels, and raise standards by enabling these people to compete on metrics that might drive more social value than clicks, engagement, shares, or ad revenue. These effects could be important, even if you never budge the kind of person inclined to consume the information equivalent of junk-food.

rootusrootus 8y ago

I'm reminded of the oft-quoted phrase "you cannot reason someone out of a position they did not reason themselves into." I am not trying to disqualify the solution, more like observing that the existence of provable facts has not yet been any sort of antidote for 'fake news' (whether that refers to the real deal, or the position many people take that any news they don't like is fake news).

abathur 8y ago
I don't think this sort of effort has to be ironclad to be meaningful. The margins could be a big deal, here. Some sort of attestation toolchain might enable people who care about evidence to produce more strongly-attested cases, and to get a better handle on what is and isn't sourced from others. It seems likely that using good attestation toolchains could create feedback loops for researchers, journalists, archivists, authors, film-makers, educators, students, and other people involved in knowledge production. These feedback loops might change how they research, where they start, how often they have to re-invent wheels, and raise standards by enabling these people to compete on metrics that might drive more social value than clicks, engagement, shares, or ad revenue. These effects could be important, even if you never budge the kind of person inclined to consume the information equivalent of junk-food.