4 ms·

According this administration forever chemicals are good but vaccines for deadly diseases are bad.

• thomastjeffery 4mo ago
  Any position you take that gets people to argue with you. Engagement is the currency of politics, today more than ever.
  • inigyou 4mo ago
    I never saw it through this lens before but you might be right.
    • thomastjeffery 4mo ago
      There's a fantastic web series that explains the whole dynamic: the alt-right playbook. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJA_jUddXvY7v0VkYRbANnTnzkA_HMFtQ https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJA_jUddXvY7v0VkYRbAN...
      • JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
        It’s reductive to frame this as an alt-right only phenomenon. As long as we’re subject to modern ad-fueled social media, this is the basis for all non-retail politics.
        • Retric 4mo ago
          The alt right playbook isn’t identical to other political movements because it’s facing different pressures. Right now it’s dealing with second generation propaganda where much of the leadership believes the narrative rather than the underlying justification for that narrative. This is mitigating by the older generation retaining a great deal of power, but it creates some IMO really interesting dynamics.
          • JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
            > The alt right playbook isn’t identical to other political movements Straw man. Nobody claimed this. Just that the factor identified, politics by attention economics as a result of social media, is not unique to the alt right.
            • Retric 4mo ago
              > this is the basis for all non-retail politics. My point was there’s an internal disconnect inside the alt right movement which makes this play out in very distinct ways. Dig into say China’s political to social media connections for some wildly different dynamics. > is not unique to the alt right Sure, that I can agree with but it’s a long way from your earlier blanket statement.
              • JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
                > Dig into say China’s political to social media connections China regulates social media in a way we don’t. The fundamental dynamic doesn’t apply there.
                • Retric 4mo ago
                  Even the US regulates social media. UK, Germany, South Africa, and Brazil are all interesting because of just how different yet similar a role social media plays in politics. First past the post vs representative representation create some really interesting points of divergence.
                  • JumpCrisscross 4mo ago
                    > Even the US regulates social media Federally? Not really. > UK, Germany, South Africa, and Brazil are all interesting because of just how different yet similar a role social media plays in politics Could you expand on this?
                    • 4mo ago
        • thomastjeffery 4mo ago
          That's a reduction that isn't being made. This is a playbook that was utilised by the alt-right first, and adopted by nearly everyone else; particularly (though not exclusively) Republicans in the US, followed by most conservative organizations around the world.
    • estearum 4mo ago
      You should read Amusing Ourselves to Death. It is the single most informative book on politics I've ever read. Unfortunately the conclusion it points to is not great. But worth reading anyway!
  • thrance 4mo ago
    Also, distrust of educated elites and rejection of rationality are long-standing features of reactionary politics.