2 ms·
Covid discussion has become equivalent to politics. Most people have strong opinions on the matter, these opinions usually correlate strongly to their favorite
by timr 5y ago
Covid discussion has become equivalent to politics. Most people have strong opinions on the matter, these opinions usually correlate strongly to their favorite political party's stance, and few people have the experience or knowledge to evaluate scientific information rationally. It's a recipe for uninformed debate.
On top of that, in the US, the previous president was so politically polarizing that literally any statement he made was aggressively opposed by many people. A lot of SARS-CoV2 response got caught up in this dynamic.
Wide segments of the population are simply misinformed of basic scientific facts, and slick charlatans (like the author of this article) twist information in subtle ways to scare people. Terrified people are naturally going to be more volatile, and this has been exploited throughout the last year and half.
- bamboozled 5y agoIt certainly feels like hangover from the Trump times, and yes, it's insanely political and quite hysterical. Now, people overcompensate, if there is any questioning or hesitancy to take the vaccine, ask questions about origins etc you might be a...Trump guy, or a nut and so you need to be told by the Non-Trump guys what' up, by being downed. It's Kind of like Post-Trum-Stress-Disorder, PTSD. It's really quite fascinating.
- timr 5y agoIt's unfortunately pretty common for people adopt an "opposite of what That Guy said" stance on any particular issue. Obviously, taking a position that is the opposite of an illogical person makes you just as illogical, but it's much easier than thinking.
- bamboozled 5y agoIt also feels nice to be part of the "smart crowd". Also, let's face it, no one likes to lose karma :)
- SZJX 5y agoNah, many people especially those not in the US care far less about Trump than this is making out to be the case. Every country has its political spectrum, and the discussion easily being political or becoming attached to one’s political stance doesn’t necessarily have much to do with one particular politician.
- deleted 5y ago[deleted]
- spookthesunset 5y ago> Covid discussion has become equivalent to politics It isn't equivalent, it is politics. In the end I suspect the last 15+ months will be a story of: 10% disease mitigation, 20% intellectual error, 30% media fear mongering and 40% politics.