6 ms·

I still think cicadas are more likely than malevolence

by tt433 6y ago

dxdm 6y ago
Why?
- tt433 6y ago
  I think the federal government and the corporate news media have a lot of credibility issues when it comes to Cuba.
  - hedora 6y ago
    The attacks also happened in China, Russia, and elsewhere. It started in Cuba, but isn’t limited to a particular geometry. It does seem to be limited to US agents and people in their immediate vicinity.
    - tt433 6y ago
      I have a much higher skepticism of self reported symptoms like this than the average person. I know a lot of hypochondriacs personally, so that may be a factor in my judgement. I think the human brain is excellent at coming up with little stories about how we are victims of bad actors.
    - rtx 6y ago
      If I have to draw conclusions, I would think some defensive measures going wrong.
  - papito 6y ago
    The federal government and the "corporate news media" have a lot more to lose by making shit up. They have actual jobs. What are your sources of information? A rando on Facebook under a fake handle?
    - sideshowb 6y ago
      Possibly you should read Manufacturing Consent by Chomsky. You know that rando who came up with several core concepts in linguistics, computer science and politics...
      - ardy42 6y ago
        > Possibly you should read Manufacturing Consent by Chomsky. You know that rando who came up with several core concepts in linguistics, computer science and politics... Talent in one area doesn't translate to the same level of talent in other areas. For instance, Nobel Prize-winner Linus Pauling, called "one of the 20 greatest scientists of all time" by New Scientist, promoted high-dose vitamin C as a cancer treatment long after it had been discredited (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Pauling#Medical_research_and_vitamin_C_advocacy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Pauling#Medical_research...). Also, IIRC, Chomsky's contributions to linguistics are somewhat controversial, and I've read that his lock on the field may have set it back by decades.
        papito 6y ago
        In fact, Chomsky's formal training was IN linguistics. He was not an expert in politics in any way, and hence his opinion was as valid as anyone's in academia, for example. This is even mentioned in Tom Nichols's "The Death of Expertise". The vitamin C episode is also covered in the same book :)
        sideshowb 6y ago
        Agreed on Chomsky's controversial influence on linguistics (I know a few linguists who have said this). Also agree the point on talent in general. In this specific case though I get the impression Chomsky is more highly regarded than most political scientists. GP comment set the bar rather low by associating criticism of mainstream media with randoms on facebook. Regardless of whether you agree with him I think Chomsky safely exceeds that bar.

I still think cicadas are more likely than malevolence

by tt433 6y ago

I still think cicadas are more likely than malevolence

dxdm 6y ago

Why?

tt433 6y ago
I think the federal government and the corporate news media have a lot of credibility issues when it comes to Cuba.
- hedora 6y ago
  The attacks also happened in China, Russia, and elsewhere. It started in Cuba, but isn’t limited to a particular geometry. It does seem to be limited to US agents and people in their immediate vicinity.
  - tt433 6y ago
    I have a much higher skepticism of self reported symptoms like this than the average person. I know a lot of hypochondriacs personally, so that may be a factor in my judgement. I think the human brain is excellent at coming up with little stories about how we are victims of bad actors.
  - rtx 6y ago
    If I have to draw conclusions, I would think some defensive measures going wrong.
- papito 6y ago
  The federal government and the "corporate news media" have a lot more to lose by making shit up. They have actual jobs. What are your sources of information? A rando on Facebook under a fake handle?
  - sideshowb 6y ago
    Possibly you should read Manufacturing Consent by Chomsky. You know that rando who came up with several core concepts in linguistics, computer science and politics...
    - ardy42 6y ago
      > Possibly you should read Manufacturing Consent by Chomsky. You know that rando who came up with several core concepts in linguistics, computer science and politics... Talent in one area doesn't translate to the same level of talent in other areas. For instance, Nobel Prize-winner Linus Pauling, called "one of the 20 greatest scientists of all time" by New Scientist, promoted high-dose vitamin C as a cancer treatment long after it had been discredited (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Pauling#Medical_research_and_vitamin_C_advocacy https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linus_Pauling#Medical_research...). Also, IIRC, Chomsky's contributions to linguistics are somewhat controversial, and I've read that his lock on the field may have set it back by decades.
      - papito 6y ago
        In fact, Chomsky's formal training was IN linguistics. He was not an expert in politics in any way, and hence his opinion was as valid as anyone's in academia, for example. This is even mentioned in Tom Nichols's "The Death of Expertise". The vitamin C episode is also covered in the same book :)
      - sideshowb 6y ago
        Agreed on Chomsky's controversial influence on linguistics (I know a few linguists who have said this). Also agree the point on talent in general. In this specific case though I get the impression Chomsky is more highly regarded than most political scientists. GP comment set the bar rather low by associating criticism of mainstream media with randoms on facebook. Regardless of whether you agree with him I think Chomsky safely exceeds that bar.