5 ms·

I don't believe that they think the rest of the world is idiotic. They just know that once they apply their thin veneer of spin, no-one is able to call them on

by aynsof 6y ago

I don't believe that they think the rest of the world is idiotic. They just know that once they apply their thin veneer of spin, no-one is able to call them on their bullshit, and there'll be no consequences for their lies.

Hydraulix989 6y ago
What other reasons would nobody be able to "call them on their bullshit"? Is it because they are the ones with a platform?
j4yav 6y ago
What reason does applying a thin veneer of spin work, except for that people are mostly suckers for it?
- notretarded 6y ago
  Undeniably
- chousuke 6y ago
  Most times "calling out" someone in a way that's effective takes effort. I think they're just giving the majority of people an excuse not to bother engaging in any activism that might actually work.
  - tarboreus 6y ago
    Right. Your choices are to say the truth, say nothing, or say some complete BS, or some gradient between these. There's no reason not to go for the BS. If you say nothing, that's slightly suspicious, or leaves a gap for someone to say something in your place. Obviously being bald-faced about your practices has no or almost no advantage. If you go fullBS, people at minimum have to knock down your statement, which takes energy, and then there is at least the appearance of a two sides dynamic. Journalists tend to like to cover stories holding up any two sides dynamics (these guys said this, the other guys said this), as it's safer to them, so there's even a good chance your BS will get parroted. Finally, saying some party line BS makes it easier to determine who's with you and against you. Allies can coordinate around your BS and repeat it, and the more BS your BS is, the more signaling value that has. You always need a party line, even and perhaps especially if you're up to no good and it's transparently false.

5 ms·

I don't believe that they think the rest of the world is idiotic. They just know that once they apply their thin veneer of spin, no-one is able to call them on

by aynsof 6y ago

Hydraulix989 6y ago
What other reasons would nobody be able to "call them on their bullshit"? Is it because they are the ones with a platform?
j4yav 6y ago
What reason does applying a thin veneer of spin work, except for that people are mostly suckers for it?
- notretarded 6y ago
  Undeniably
- chousuke 6y ago
  Most times "calling out" someone in a way that's effective takes effort. I think they're just giving the majority of people an excuse not to bother engaging in any activism that might actually work.
  - tarboreus 6y ago
    Right. Your choices are to say the truth, say nothing, or say some complete BS, or some gradient between these. There's no reason not to go for the BS. If you say nothing, that's slightly suspicious, or leaves a gap for someone to say something in your place. Obviously being bald-faced about your practices has no or almost no advantage. If you go fullBS, people at minimum have to knock down your statement, which takes energy, and then there is at least the appearance of a two sides dynamic. Journalists tend to like to cover stories holding up any two sides dynamics (these guys said this, the other guys said this), as it's safer to them, so there's even a good chance your BS will get parroted. Finally, saying some party line BS makes it easier to determine who's with you and against you. Allies can coordinate around your BS and repeat it, and the more BS your BS is, the more signaling value that has. You always need a party line, even and perhaps especially if you're up to no good and it's transparently false.