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The name is the thing. For the same reason people didn't like when Covid was referred to as "the China Flu." The name creates a negative association. Names, phr
by salt-thrower 5y ago
The name is the thing. For the same reason people didn't like when Covid was referred to as "the China Flu." The name creates a negative association. Names, phrasing, and associations can be very powerful.
- unethical_ban 5y agoSo despite all the evidence in the article, you're going to assert that the CIA, despite explicitly saying they don't know where exactly it comes from, is trying to blame Cuba for it to destabilize them, because of the name? You realize part of the issue with the "China Flu" label was conservatives beating the shit out of Asians? You realize that there are no reports of US citizens beating the shit out of Cubans because of Havana syndrome? And that a niche affliction in the foreign service is different than a pandemic killing 600,000 domestically?
- salt-thrower 5y agoYou're reading too far into what I'm saying. I was not likening it to the phrase "China flu" in that I think the CIA is encouraging hate crimes against Cubans. I'm saying that the name of any phenomenon is able to generate an association and a sentiment about what it's named after. > you're going to assert that the CIA, despite explicitly saying they don't know where exactly it comes from The CIA has a long and well-documented history of lying to the public. I'm not asserting that I know what's going on, I'm asserting that the CIA has previously used interviews and media statements to influence public opinion about countries the U.S. is seeking to destabilize. Colin Powell is the most famous and egregious example in recent history. This is obviously not as overt as what Powell did, but every statement the CIA makes to the media should be viewed in that context.