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I've noticed that people are increasingly incapable of having nuanced opinions. There is no more gray, it's either black or white. For example, crypto is eithe

I've noticed that people are increasingly incapable of having nuanced opinions. There is no more gray, it's either black or white. For example, crypto is either a new dawn for humanity or it's a useless scam whose only purpose it to destroy the planet. There is no in-between. Same for the vaccine or anything related to politics. Some websites are better than others of course, but still, I've seen an increasing amount of this kind of extremely polarized opinions even on websites I thought were "safe" from this lack of nuance. Every website is a memetic warzone. It's getting to the point where I'm starting to wonder more and more often whether the person I'm replying to is capable of rational thought or if they're bots, paid actors, or if they're simply unable to understand that there is a reason why "the other side" thinks the way it does (aside from reductive, simple answers). It's bad. It wasn't like this before, and people being fed custom realities by algorithms was certainly one of the many reasons this is happening.

NicoJuicy 5y ago
The ones replying are mostly the ones that want to respond to the same conversation over and over again. The majority gray zone just doesn't care about eg. Crypto and are boostered, depending on their country rules. What's left to talk about? The more interesting subjects that are new(s) and more applicable here.
theclansman 5y ago
It's something I've seen a lot all over the internet in the last few years, but the reason it stops any insightful discussion is that people think that if you disagree with them you must be on the other extreme. After they decided that, there's no way to convince them you're not. This only leads to people getting more and more extreme with their opinions, kinda like if you're not an extremist nobody will listen to you. I'm mostly talking about politics here but the crypto example you gave applies perfectly too, everyone is either a poorfag seething because they missed the train or an evil capitalist that has a huge farm of computers mining 24/7 that he calls his polution machine to make money.
- deleted 5y ago
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nekcihc 5y ago
Well, it is very natural to human behaviour and it can be controlled by making illusion, that majority think that way. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timur_Kuran#Private_Truths,_Public_Lies https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timur_Kuran#Private_Truths,_Pu... Another issue is what is going on in US, that for good or worse affects everyone else on this planet. Once the current civil war in US will be over, rest would relax and adapt to new reality. And another issue with coments is that commenting is not communication - in a way, that it is not talk with other person. Comment to communication is the same communication, that lamp post is for a dog - where he leaves mark by pissing on it. So, this is the sad reality - we are dogs here leaving marks on internet territory. And that is the closest form to "communication". If you want proper communication, get a friend and have a tea or wine and have a proper talk. Here it is simply not possible.
drewcoo 5y ago
Looking for "in between" positions forces all issues into one dimension, and I think that's part of the problem. People who argue for their pole usually only argue how wrong some opposite pole is. Middle grounders typically only argue that the poles are wrong and don't in any way show how their own opinions are correct. None of that involves actual nuance.
- birracerveza 5y ago
  >Middle grounders typically only argue that the poles are wrong and don't in any way show how their own opinions are correct. That's incredibly reductive, to say the least. Having a middle ground means believing that both poles are wrong in some aspects and right in others, but it's up to the one arguing to actually explain his position, and if they "don't in any way show how their own opinions are correct" then it's simply due to their own poor arguing skills.
MockObject 5y ago
Agreed. I'm on one side of a controversial topic, yet I understand and can sympathize with the other side, and I find it impossible to explain to people on my own side. They are emotionally committed to viewing the other side as immoral monsters.

NicoJuicy 5y ago

The ones replying are mostly the ones that want to respond to the same conversation over and over again. The majority gray zone just doesn't care about eg. Crypto and are boostered, depending on their country rules. What's left to talk about? The more interesting subjects that are new(s) and more applicable here.

theclansman 5y ago

It's something I've seen a lot all over the internet in the last few years, but the reason it stops any insightful discussion is that people think that if you disagree with them you must be on the other extreme. After they decided that, there's no way to convince them you're not. This only leads to people getting more and more extreme with their opinions, kinda like if you're not an extremist nobody will listen to you. I'm mostly talking about politics here but the crypto example you gave applies perfectly too, everyone is either a poorfag seething because they missed the train or an evil capitalist that has a huge farm of computers mining 24/7 that he calls his polution machine to make money.

deleted 5y ago
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nekcihc 5y ago

Well, it is very natural to human behaviour and it can be controlled by making illusion, that majority think that way. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timur_Kuran#Private_Truths,_Public_Lies https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Timur_Kuran#Private_Truths,_Pu... Another issue is what is going on in US, that for good or worse affects everyone else on this planet. Once the current civil war in US will be over, rest would relax and adapt to new reality. And another issue with coments is that commenting is not communication - in a way, that it is not talk with other person. Comment to communication is the same communication, that lamp post is for a dog - where he leaves mark by pissing on it. So, this is the sad reality - we are dogs here leaving marks on internet territory. And that is the closest form to "communication". If you want proper communication, get a friend and have a tea or wine and have a proper talk. Here it is simply not possible.

drewcoo 5y ago

Looking for "in between" positions forces all issues into one dimension, and I think that's part of the problem. People who argue for their pole usually only argue how wrong some opposite pole is. Middle grounders typically only argue that the poles are wrong and don't in any way show how their own opinions are correct. None of that involves actual nuance.

birracerveza 5y ago
>Middle grounders typically only argue that the poles are wrong and don't in any way show how their own opinions are correct. That's incredibly reductive, to say the least. Having a middle ground means believing that both poles are wrong in some aspects and right in others, but it's up to the one arguing to actually explain his position, and if they "don't in any way show how their own opinions are correct" then it's simply due to their own poor arguing skills.

MockObject 5y ago

Agreed. I'm on one side of a controversial topic, yet I understand and can sympathize with the other side, and I find it impossible to explain to people on my own side. They are emotionally committed to viewing the other side as immoral monsters.