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Ask HN: How do you deal with lies on the internet?

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Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with lies on the internet?

#121

Post by aaronsimpson »

analog31 wrote: post #20

It's hard because "everybody is lying" might be one of the lies. My approach is slow thinking. I really don't have to form an opinion quickly on most things. If ever. I read for enjoyment. Something makes it hard to write propaganda that's actually interesting and enjoyable to read. I've shut down the "engagement" media, even if I agree with them.

> It's hard because "everybody is lying" might be one of the lies.

See: the legitimacy that Russia would actually invade Ukraine. While there was definitely a lot of hype and "IT'S HAPPENING!!!" across various media and social media, at the end of the day it seems like US intelligence got this one pretty right.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with lies on the internet?

#122

Post by agent008t »

mod wrote: post #51
jpgvm wrote: post #34

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't know if that is the same SkyNews that we have here but if it is I would avoid it like the plague. It's effectively our version of Fox News. If you want something non-biased (from Australia that is) then ABC News or SBS World News is as close as you are going to get. Both are funded explicitly in a way that avoids biases (but also why our government has been trying to take said funding away...).

Interesting. Perhaps because it's British, I couldn't tell it was biased. They definitely are not Putin fans, but that seems universal right now. I'm checking out your alternative recommendations now, thanks!

British Sky News seems ok - he was talking about Australian.

DW is also ok.

But overall, the Financial Times seems the best imo - they mostly just give the facts, and they are very careful to make sure the sources are credibly and specify it when they are not.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with lies on the internet?

#124

Post by krapp »

mgh2 wrote: post #118
krapp wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My only evidence is the number of people on HN who seem to believe in unsubstantiated conspiracy theories and falsehoods, and obvious partisan propaganda. The premise that HN is hard to fool is undone by simply spending enough time here.

Examples? Crypto? You can't avoid some crazies in any community, the problem arises when it becomes the consensus

The point is, using HN comments as a quality or truth filter doesn't work, especially since most people here only ever engage with the comments. It's the blind leading the blind here.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with lies on the internet?

#125

Post by analog31 »

pllbnk wrote: post #108
analog31 wrote: post #20

It's hard because "everybody is lying" might be one of the lies. My approach is slow thinking. I really don't have to form an opinion quickly on most things. If ever. I read for enjoyment. Something makes it hard to write propaganda that's actually interesting and enjoyable to read. I've shut down the "engagement" media, even if I agree with them.

I sometimes get a feeling of jealous admiration for people who can so eloquently put down in writing their opinions about things that are happening in the world and can clearly choose sides with their seemingly irresistible arguments. If I wanted to write my opinion about something publicly, I am afraid I could be attacked with counter-arguments and would not be able to properly respond to most of them on the spot. T…

I'm a terrible debater. Perhaps like you, I steer clear of debates and think about things slowly on my own. I do have an ideological leaning, but I try to keep it separate from parties, so it's not a "they," and I can weigh one against the other.

One thing I can do is take stock of things in between election cycles, and ask myself if I regret my previous voting patterns or not. So far I haven't ever felt a reason to switch sides. This includes both primary and secondary elections -- local and national. So far I have never regretted my votes in secondary elections, but in practical terms, partisan gerrymandering renders my vote irrelevant. I have changed how I think about primary candidates, over the years.

I listen to my kids. They are quite smart and critical minded, plus they have more at stake than I do. I'm willing to support their interests. I once took my daughter to a protest march because she was too young to go by herself, and I was worried about her safety.

Re: Ask HN: How do you deal with lies on the internet?

#126

Post by analog31 »

goto11 wrote: post #119
analog31 wrote: post #20

It's hard because "everybody is lying" might be one of the lies. My approach is slow thinking. I really don't have to form an opinion quickly on most things. If ever. I read for enjoyment. Something makes it hard to write propaganda that's actually interesting and enjoyable to read. I've shut down the "engagement" media, even if I agree with them.

> It's hard because "everybody is lying" might be one of the lies. Absolutely - note it it a deliberate information warfare strategy to make people doubt all sources equally.

Indeed, if rational dialogue becomes impossible, then the world belongs to those who are not restrained by rational dialogue, such as thugs, oligarchs, and dictators.
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