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An official source must be challenged by another official source with more extensive data and newer results. Random people on facebook cannot challenge because

An official source must be challenged by another official source with more extensive data and newer results. Random people on facebook cannot challenge because they are random people. In choosing between an official source and random guy on facebook, the statements are not equal and the official source takes precedence because they have accountability while random people do not. It is a bit more complex due to stuff like whistle-blowing and so on, but in general credibility is something that must be earned, not given to every random person who states something.

raxxorrax 6y ago
I don't think any fact checker did a good job or influenced anything. It is mostly preaching to the choir and the result is mixed at best, not am improvement in my opinion. True, credibility must be earned and that is a difficult and slow process, and it is given by individuals. That said, it is true that you should not believe random people on Facebook. That lesson can quickly be learned in my opinion.
- gostsamo 6y ago
  They can't stop the conspiracy believers but they hamper the rate of spread and make people think before clicking or resharing.
  - raxxorrax 6y ago
    Not too sure about that. They are also introducing negative effects that can inhibit real investigative journalism, which already has become rare and the want for authoritative sources can be detrimental here. They also politically aligned as we have seen in hindsight of the eternal election campaign we see for a few years now. Snopes and Politifact come to mind. I can sympathize with positions like that, but I calling it fact checkers is way too much and they should have no authority at all, not even a larger audience. Truth holds people accountable and this just ain't it, chief. They have already violated the basic tenets of honesty.
    - gostsamo 6y ago
      I don't follow US politics to know the examples you are giving, but keeping in mind the shit I've seen related to Covid, whatever can stop people from injecting themselves with bleach is worth keeping around. Call it whatever is your fancy.
      - raxxorrax 6y ago
        Aside from the few examples where people actually do drink bleach, I am still convinced it is best to ignore these people and not write articles about them. The average reader is most likely drawn to such stories to feel superior about other people, goes on to deride them for their education or intelligence and the targets will reinforce their views as they are, no matter how nonsensical. It is also one of the reasons why facts are not at all effective at combatting this.
        gostsamo 6y ago
        And as I told you, there are the undecided who think that the topic is important, want to learn more, but lack the context. And we will go again in circles.

raxxorrax 6y ago

I don't think any fact checker did a good job or influenced anything. It is mostly preaching to the choir and the result is mixed at best, not am improvement in my opinion. True, credibility must be earned and that is a difficult and slow process, and it is given by individuals. That said, it is true that you should not believe random people on Facebook. That lesson can quickly be learned in my opinion.

gostsamo 6y ago
They can't stop the conspiracy believers but they hamper the rate of spread and make people think before clicking or resharing.
- raxxorrax 6y ago
  Not too sure about that. They are also introducing negative effects that can inhibit real investigative journalism, which already has become rare and the want for authoritative sources can be detrimental here. They also politically aligned as we have seen in hindsight of the eternal election campaign we see for a few years now. Snopes and Politifact come to mind. I can sympathize with positions like that, but I calling it fact checkers is way too much and they should have no authority at all, not even a larger audience. Truth holds people accountable and this just ain't it, chief. They have already violated the basic tenets of honesty.
  - gostsamo 6y ago
    I don't follow US politics to know the examples you are giving, but keeping in mind the shit I've seen related to Covid, whatever can stop people from injecting themselves with bleach is worth keeping around. Call it whatever is your fancy.
    - raxxorrax 6y ago
      Aside from the few examples where people actually do drink bleach, I am still convinced it is best to ignore these people and not write articles about them. The average reader is most likely drawn to such stories to feel superior about other people, goes on to deride them for their education or intelligence and the targets will reinforce their views as they are, no matter how nonsensical. It is also one of the reasons why facts are not at all effective at combatting this.
      - gostsamo 6y ago
        And as I told you, there are the undecided who think that the topic is important, want to learn more, but lack the context. And we will go again in circles.