4 ms·

The problem is that people don't just ignore the mainstream news media. A lot of them also turn to fringe channels that peddle an alternative view of the world

by jcfrei 3y ago

The problem is that people don't just ignore the mainstream news media. A lot of them also turn to fringe channels that peddle an alternative view of the world that's more affirmative of their own worldview - without being more truthful. It's going to be a huge challenge to every democracy because people will fundamentally disagree about basic facts.

spookthesunset 3y ago
If anything the concept of “facts” or “the truth” is up for grabs. You can find any quasi-legit looking source that supports just about any version of “the truth” you want. And your favorite content aggregator will pick up on that and suck you into the vortex. It’s echo chambers all the way down! Considering that even “The Experts” who many claim hold “The Truth” are subject to the same echo chambers and powerful tribal allegiances that everybody else is… you cannot really trust them either. Many will be more than happy to bend things to suit their political affiliations or sometimes even lie to you face if it promotes their narrative. The most important skill, I believe, is question everything you hear. Only you can determine what is true and isn’t. Outsourcing critical thinking to others is setting yourself up for manipulation. It’s sounds ridiculous, but based on the events over the last three years I believe that is as good as it gets in modern times. There is no such thing as “The Expert”. It’s your brain against the endless tide of information and only you get to decide what makes sense and what doesn’t.
draw_down 3y ago
It’s interesting that the people so concerned with the survival of democracy or whatever, also seem deeply skeptical of actual democratic outcomes. You guys gotta decide if you like democracy or not. Is it still acceptable when the results are tainted by voters watching watching the wrong, untruthful, bad, fringe news instead of the good, right, truthful, mainstream kind?
Auracle 3y ago
The problem is that it’s no longer contained to Fox News and MSNBC. NPR now incredibly biased, CNN was but is trying to backtrack (?), and the various top newspapers have all gradually slid more and more to biased viewpoints. There isn’t a major news source out there for me. I don’t want my own political beliefs confirmed and be told how bad the other side is so I can feel superior. I want facts, and not just those I agree with. That largely doesn’t exist anymore.

by jcfrei 3y ago

spookthesunset 3y ago

If anything the concept of “facts” or “the truth” is up for grabs. You can find any quasi-legit looking source that supports just about any version of “the truth” you want. And your favorite content aggregator will pick up on that and suck you into the vortex. It’s echo chambers all the way down! Considering that even “The Experts” who many claim hold “The Truth” are subject to the same echo chambers and powerful tribal allegiances that everybody else is… you cannot really trust them either. Many will be more than happy to bend things to suit their political affiliations or sometimes even lie to you face if it promotes their narrative. The most important skill, I believe, is question everything you hear. Only you can determine what is true and isn’t. Outsourcing critical thinking to others is setting yourself up for manipulation. It’s sounds ridiculous, but based on the events over the last three years I believe that is as good as it gets in modern times. There is no such thing as “The Expert”. It’s your brain against the endless tide of information and only you get to decide what makes sense and what doesn’t.

draw_down 3y ago

It’s interesting that the people so concerned with the survival of democracy or whatever, also seem deeply skeptical of actual democratic outcomes. You guys gotta decide if you like democracy or not. Is it still acceptable when the results are tainted by voters watching watching the wrong, untruthful, bad, fringe news instead of the good, right, truthful, mainstream kind?

Auracle 3y ago

The problem is that it’s no longer contained to Fox News and MSNBC. NPR now incredibly biased, CNN was but is trying to backtrack (?), and the various top newspapers have all gradually slid more and more to biased viewpoints. There isn’t a major news source out there for me. I don’t want my own political beliefs confirmed and be told how bad the other side is so I can feel superior. I want facts, and not just those I agree with. That largely doesn’t exist anymore.