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If somebody is going to believe in crackpot stuff, then it doesn't matter who or what the source is. I don't agree with the idea that we need to coddle the mass

If somebody is going to believe in crackpot stuff, then it doesn't matter who or what the source is. I don't agree with the idea that we need to coddle the masses.

rnd0 5y ago
It does matter, because FB (social media such as Reddit and Twitter as well) create echochambers which amplify crackpot stuff and encourages people to act out in destructive ways (see basically all of the RL anti-mask agitation) in a way that was not happening before social media. Social media creates literal mobs, with literal (tiki) torches if not pitchforks. Yes, the difference between two cranks bitching over coffee alone versus the amplification which happens over social media IS FUCKING HUGE! (sorry for caps, but seriously -I've lived through both and the difference is fucking huge)
- passivate 5y ago
  I disagree. We need to bring back personal accountability. "Facebook made me do it" is not an acceptable excuse for violence. Also, we need to inoculate the mind from these 'meme' viruses with a stronger foundation in basic science. I'm not syaing its an overnight or easy thing to do, but the IMHO I think it would address the core problem.
  - spywaregorilla 5y ago
    So in a different context, the problem is not con artists, its con artist victims? Also, you can be accountable for your actions and still influenced by something else.
    - passivate 5y ago
      If being a con artist involves stealing or otherwise depriving someone of their property, that is not equivalent to sharing dumb memes or conspiracy theories on Facebook. >Also, you can be accountable for your actions and still influenced by something else. Being "influenced" is a vague term and is so subjective that it is meaningless to have a real conversation around it. Again, "Facebook made me do it" is not a defense under any legal system. If being wrong on the internet is a crime, we'll have to shut down almost every single internet forum. Just on HN I've seen some kooky discussions around covid by well-meaning people.
      - spywaregorilla 5y ago
        > If being a con artist involves stealing or otherwise depriving someone of their property, that is not equivalent to sharing dumb memes or conspiracy theories on Facebook. Ok, what about large disinformation campaigns used to sway public opinion or more generally just sow discord by convincing people of divisive things > Being "influenced" is a vague term and is so subjective that it is meaningless to have a real conversation around it. Again, "Facebook made me do it" is not a defense under any legal system. If being wrong on the internet is a crime, we'll have to shut down almost every single internet forum. Just on HN I've seen some kooky discussions around covid by well-meaning people. But facebook can make you do something without that being a defensible excuse. Accountability for your own actions is tangential. Eve shouldn't have eaten the apple but she probably would not have done it, but for the snake. That doesn't mean she isn't to blame.

If somebody is going to believe in crackpot stuff, then it doesn't matter who or what the source is. I don't agree with the idea that we need to coddle the masses.

rnd0 5y ago

It does matter, because FB (social media such as Reddit and Twitter as well) create echochambers which amplify crackpot stuff and encourages people to act out in destructive ways (see basically all of the RL anti-mask agitation) in a way that was not happening before social media. Social media creates literal mobs, with literal (tiki) torches if not pitchforks. Yes, the difference between two cranks bitching over coffee alone versus the amplification which happens over social media IS FUCKING HUGE! (sorry for caps, but seriously -I've lived through both and the difference is fucking huge)

passivate 5y ago
I disagree. We need to bring back personal accountability. "Facebook made me do it" is not an acceptable excuse for violence. Also, we need to inoculate the mind from these 'meme' viruses with a stronger foundation in basic science. I'm not syaing its an overnight or easy thing to do, but the IMHO I think it would address the core problem.
- spywaregorilla 5y ago
  So in a different context, the problem is not con artists, its con artist victims? Also, you can be accountable for your actions and still influenced by something else.
  - passivate 5y ago
    If being a con artist involves stealing or otherwise depriving someone of their property, that is not equivalent to sharing dumb memes or conspiracy theories on Facebook. >Also, you can be accountable for your actions and still influenced by something else. Being "influenced" is a vague term and is so subjective that it is meaningless to have a real conversation around it. Again, "Facebook made me do it" is not a defense under any legal system. If being wrong on the internet is a crime, we'll have to shut down almost every single internet forum. Just on HN I've seen some kooky discussions around covid by well-meaning people.
    - spywaregorilla 5y ago
      > If being a con artist involves stealing or otherwise depriving someone of their property, that is not equivalent to sharing dumb memes or conspiracy theories on Facebook. Ok, what about large disinformation campaigns used to sway public opinion or more generally just sow discord by convincing people of divisive things > Being "influenced" is a vague term and is so subjective that it is meaningless to have a real conversation around it. Again, "Facebook made me do it" is not a defense under any legal system. If being wrong on the internet is a crime, we'll have to shut down almost every single internet forum. Just on HN I've seen some kooky discussions around covid by well-meaning people. But facebook can make you do something without that being a defensible excuse. Accountability for your own actions is tangential. Eve shouldn't have eaten the apple but she probably would not have done it, but for the snake. That doesn't mean she isn't to blame.