4 ms·
The level of naiveté in this discussion is absolutely astonishing to me. People are seeming to forget that dysfunctional states (totalitarian, facist, the like
by nikkwong 2y ago
The level of naiveté in this discussion is absolutely astonishing to me. People are seeming to forget that dysfunctional states (totalitarian, facist, the like) all are sprung from one common thread: control of the mind through propaganda. We already have evidence that the CCP or otherwise is manipulating Tiktok's algorithm to influence American minds [1]. This was one study, by one relatively small and underpowered organization. That's to say, there's probably a lot that we've yet to unearth about how the algorithm is manipulated; or how the CCP is planning to manipulate it to further their agenda at the expense of an American one.
It's simply unbelievable to me that a sophisticated community like HN is against a ban in the context of all of the meddling our biggest rival, China, has done in our country to our direct disadvantage. Russia and China's main M.O. has been to divide us; to sow discontent. And they've been pretty successful. Who knows if Trump would have been elected without the Russian election interference. Trump has been a divisive figure who has reveled in destroying social order and he has done so successfully; the amount of hate and distrust for one's opposing political party is at an all-time high in the US, and it shows. This is to say that China and Russia have already been very successful in their attempts. In China Xi likes to say that "The East is rising, the West is falling". This is completely his M.O. and part of his plan.
And now Trump, aware of all of this, is attempting to bring Tiktok back. Knowing everything he knows about it's use and potential future use of a propaganda machine. And knowing full-well that this is good for the East, and bad for domestic civil peace of mind and social order. And in the most Trumpian way possible, he doesn't care. And he's doing it for the most selfish reason possible--to feed his hero complex. Full. Fucking. Stop. This is such a glaring advertisement that he will do whatever he can to put his interests and reputation first over our country's and it's absolutely sickening.
And the fact that there is actual debate and discussion around this issue on HN is just such a shocker. Again, this community should know better about how dangerous propaganda is, amplified by the fact that it's propaganda from our most rapacious, unethical and conniving enemy. An enemy that is planning wars of conquest, who's starving and torturing parts of its population. You want that enemy deciding what your kid spends an hour a day watching on their phone, while you're not paying attention? Yeah, good luck with that.
https://networkcontagion.us/reports/the-ccps-digital-charm-offensive/ https://networkcontagion.us/reports/the-ccps-digital-charm-o...
- samr71 2y ago[flagged]
- nikkwong 2y agoGo post your useless unsubstantive comments on Reddit. HN is not the place for you.
- alt227 2y agoI would argue HN is not the place for you. > And the fact that there is actual debate and discussion around this issue on HN is just such a shocker. Thats what makes HN special, the community questions, discusses and debates. It doesnt just jump to an emotional response as it seems like you have done. If you cant engage in a debate or discussion around something you dont agree with, the HN is not the place to be.
- nikkwong 2y agoWith all of my commentary, this is the point that you're fixated on? I'm clearly not saying that I don't agree with the fact that there's disagreement here, I'm just surprised about the nature of the disagreement. The HN crowd is sophisticated, and to see that they're supportive of reinstating Tiktok on the grounds of 'free speech' or what have you seems like a reductionist oversimplification to me. To argue that we should allow Tiktok because of free speech, in the global context of how it's being used as a data mining and mind-manipulation machine seems like a total non starter to me. And I would expect more community members to weigh that more seriously given how seriously they take security; given the context of how much time the community spends splitting hairs about the future of encryption, forever boycotting Arc for exposing a cookie, etc.
- nickthegreek 2y agothe comment that wong replied to was unsubstantial. wong should not have responded the way they did but samr71 comment was in fact posting reddit level diatribe without engaging in good faith after wong clearly put time and effort into their post.