3 ms·

So apparently the kerfuffle started when someone posted a memo to social media, according to (now fired) official Michelle Fiscus: https://www.tennessean.com/st

So apparently the kerfuffle started when someone posted a memo to social media, according to (now fired) official Michelle Fiscus: https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2021/07/12/covid-19-tennessee-fired-vaccine-official-michelle-fiscus-fears-state/7945291002/ https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/health/2021/07/12/covi... Someone thought this memo, which was a technical legal document distributed to medical providers, was undermining parents choice. A lot of Tennessians agreed, called their state senators, etc, and now this happens. The argument that it undermines parental authority is stupid, and I won't talk about that. What's more interesting is that this is a very clear cut case of the real-world harm social media can do. The tide of outrage and ignorance can be powerful and is unchecked by its own absurdity. The emotional appeal to Trumpians who already feel victimized, bitter, and antagonistic to government, especially WRT healthcare, is unmistakable. It doesn't matter if it makes sense logically, or is inconsistent with Trumps own statements. The outrage is the point. The people in power who encourage ride these tidal waves of dangerous ignorance endanger us all in a very real way. Since all forms of self-restraint are now passe, apparently, it's time to consider options for restraining them.

staticautomatic 5y ago
Social media no doubt facilitates this kind of harm but by no means causes it.
- em-bee 5y ago
  it not just facilitates it, but it magnifies it allowing it to grow faster than corrections can be made. and that's the real danger.
  - joe_the_user 5y ago
    What facilitates this is combination of ideology, vested-interests and rumor-spreading/news-crafting. The satanic child abuse scare of the 90s is an example of this sort of thing, as were most of the actual lynching that occurred in the first of half of 20th century.
  - cyberge99 5y ago
    “A lie will circle the Earth before the truth can put it’s boots on.” (Something along those lines)
- javajosh 5y ago
  Yes, in the same way gasoline facilitates fire, but doesn't cause it.
shalmanese 5y ago
You could almost call this a case of cancel culture run amok.
wavepruner 5y ago
I'm curious, do you still not believe that vaccine injury is real? The FDA and CDC have now repeatedly acknowledged it's existence with the COVID-19 vaccines. If you do believe that it's real with respect to the COVID-19 vaccines, what is your reasoning for advocating for "restraining" people who are concerned about this issue?
- javajosh 5y ago
  Driving is dangerous but we still teach teenagers to drive. We weigh the risks and the benefits and, despite the risks, do it anyway. It is a degenerate form of the straw-man fallacy to bring up only the risks. Additionally, this kerfuffle is predicated on the totally false assertion that the state is taking parents out of the decision-making loop. There is NO substance here. NOTHING. There. You made me talk about the stupid thing. I hope you're happy.
  - deleted 5y ago
    [deleted]
  - wavepruner 5y ago
    There is a daily, constant conversation about the benefits of vaccines. I don't need to bring that up. It is implied. There are people whose lives have been destroyed by vaccines. That isn't nothing. It seems they are just too much of a minority for you to care. Or you don't believe they exist. And that's why I asked you that question, because we can't have a conversation without understanding where each of us is coming from. If you don't want to talk then don't talk. But don't attack and insult me. I'm not making you do anything.
    - javajosh 5y ago
      There are 500k+ Americans dead. Even if the vaccine killed 50K people it would be worth it. I will insult you and your ilk because it is under the guise of respectable reasonable discussion that you do your damage. I'm done pretending you don't have blood on your hands, and that I don't hate you for it.

staticautomatic 5y ago

Social media no doubt facilitates this kind of harm but by no means causes it.

em-bee 5y ago
it not just facilitates it, but it magnifies it allowing it to grow faster than corrections can be made. and that's the real danger.
- joe_the_user 5y ago
  What facilitates this is combination of ideology, vested-interests and rumor-spreading/news-crafting. The satanic child abuse scare of the 90s is an example of this sort of thing, as were most of the actual lynching that occurred in the first of half of 20th century.
- cyberge99 5y ago
  “A lie will circle the Earth before the truth can put it’s boots on.” (Something along those lines)
javajosh 5y ago
Yes, in the same way gasoline facilitates fire, but doesn't cause it.

shalmanese 5y ago

You could almost call this a case of cancel culture run amok.

wavepruner 5y ago

I'm curious, do you still not believe that vaccine injury is real? The FDA and CDC have now repeatedly acknowledged it's existence with the COVID-19 vaccines. If you do believe that it's real with respect to the COVID-19 vaccines, what is your reasoning for advocating for "restraining" people who are concerned about this issue?

javajosh 5y ago
Driving is dangerous but we still teach teenagers to drive. We weigh the risks and the benefits and, despite the risks, do it anyway. It is a degenerate form of the straw-man fallacy to bring up only the risks. Additionally, this kerfuffle is predicated on the totally false assertion that the state is taking parents out of the decision-making loop. There is NO substance here. NOTHING. There. You made me talk about the stupid thing. I hope you're happy.
- deleted 5y ago
  [deleted]
- wavepruner 5y ago
  There is a daily, constant conversation about the benefits of vaccines. I don't need to bring that up. It is implied. There are people whose lives have been destroyed by vaccines. That isn't nothing. It seems they are just too much of a minority for you to care. Or you don't believe they exist. And that's why I asked you that question, because we can't have a conversation without understanding where each of us is coming from. If you don't want to talk then don't talk. But don't attack and insult me. I'm not making you do anything.
  - javajosh 5y ago
    There are 500k+ Americans dead. Even if the vaccine killed 50K people it would be worth it. I will insult you and your ilk because it is under the guise of respectable reasonable discussion that you do your damage. I'm done pretending you don't have blood on your hands, and that I don't hate you for it.