6 ms·
The problem with this "both sides have a point" ideology (arguably popularized by CNN when they intentionally became an entertainment network) is that, for many
by smt88 6y ago
The problem with this "both sides have a point" ideology (arguably popularized by CNN when they intentionally became an entertainment network) is that, for many issues, one side does not have a point.
It's fascinating that you actually used one of these examples (though a milder one) on your landing page. The woman on the left says "#RecordGrowth" as a reason to miss Trump, even though:
- GDP growth was not at a record high under Trump[1] (both Bush Jr. and Obama had years with higher YoY growth[2], for example)
- Congress ultimately makes major economic decisions, not the president
- policy doesn't always impact the economy immediately
I'd actually argue that sites like yours are the actual problem. When you elevate false narratives to a "both sides have a point" level of credibility, people will just pick whichever one they like better.
That's one of the core problems with social media: you can always find thousands of vocal "people" (possibly some bots, possibly some paid actors) to agree with anything you want to believe. Instead of facing the pain that you might be wrong, you have been wrong, or the world is not what you want it to be, you are given the option to just believe everyone else is stupid.
1. https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/oct/01/donald-trump/donald-trumps-dubious-statement-about-presiding-ov/ https://www.politifact.com/factchecks/2020/oct/01/donald-tru...
2. https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/USA/united-states/gdp-growth-rate https://www.macrotrends.net/countries/USA/united-states/gdp-...
- lucasverra 6y agoThank you for taking the time to reach out and reading our value proposition. Indeed, it will be a hard task for us to solve all the issues regarding baseless opinions. We believe that hearing both sides of a question and acknowledging that 2 sides can co-exist, will make you a better citizen. Even more if you engage with the other side with a respect signal. Even more if you speak out. And even more if, while you speak out, you receive respect votes :)
- sol_invictus 6y agoAssuming any issue can only have 2 viewpoints is extremely fallacious
- lucasverra 6y agoMaybe you have two sides - most issues do - maybe there is only one. But exposure to both is helpful regardless. On most issues we haven’t considered both sides, and only have weak thoughts - listening forces us to think. In other cases you can ratify your beliefs, and is something you may change your mind. Regardless, it’s better that we have seen a wide range of opinions.
- sol_invictus 6y agoHow is it a wide range of options if you forced to say either viewpoint A or B is true, when in reality any semicomplex issue will have truth in viewpoint C, D, ∃!xP etc. Complex societal issues will not be solved within the scope of a 30 second video.