The media's lab leak fiasco • Hacker News Board

Re: The media's lab leak fiasco

#51

Post by imwillofficial » Thu, May 27, 2021, 8:44 PM UTC

e40 wrote: post #9

partiallypro wrote: post #4

To me what gives me credence to the "lab leak theory" more than anything, was China's behavior during and initially after the outbreak. Where they thwarted any investigations from WHO or anyone else and arrested journalists even attempting to cover it. Now we have additional information of lab workers being sick back in November...I genuinely wonder why people immediately jumped in to defend China's actions through t…

I think it was because the Trump admin had a history of China bashing and many of us just thought this was more of the same.

Then I think your critical thinking filter needs adjusting.

Re: The media's lab leak fiasco

#52

Post by throwawayboise » Thu, May 27, 2021, 8:45 PM UTC

MeinBlutIstBlau wrote: post #31

Moodles wrote: post #16

The media is so disappointing these days. A lot of people don't remember this, but the mainstream media outlets were actually playing down the coronavirus pandemic at the start. Then they attacked the travel ban to China. Then did a complete U-turn. Pelosi was dancing in the streets of Chinatown San Francisco to prove how safe and not racist she is. It seemed like they hated Trump and would fight anything he did. htt…

This last year alone has made me lose more faith in the democratic party and the media altogether. Not only did they push a radical agenda with retribution, they did it like religious people used to do centuries ago. Don't challenge the status quo or face reprecussions (fine, demobilization, banned). Now egg on their faces.

The media, the left, and big tech are all clearly working on the same agenda.

Re: The media's lab leak fiasco

#53

Post by unyttigfjelltol » Thu, May 27, 2021, 8:45 PM UTC

Empact wrote: post #22

As for policy consequences, how about this one: The United States directly and indirectly funded the Wuhan laboratory, and so bears some responsibility for the virus. It also appears Fauci and others were aware of the deficiencies of the institution. The US should end its support for dangerous research in institutions outside of its purview.

Fauci would have been pushed aside, along with EcoHealth Alliance.

The biggest policy consequence is in the headline-- our leaders in health and media would have possessed a lot more credibility than they do now. The consequences of 'polarization' of facts can't be overstated.

Re: The media's lab leak fiasco

#54

Post by 99_00 » Thu, May 27, 2021, 8:45 PM UTC

If it came from the wet market, and wet markets are still open in China, why would any country allow free travel to anyone who has been to China?

Or, even free travel to anyone from a country that allows free travel with China?

If we are to believe that it crossed species at the wet market is it too much to ask that they be shut down before free travel with China is allowed?

Belief in the wet market theory doesn't square with the total lack of discussion around mitigating the risk.

3.5M dead and counting.

Re: The media's lab leak fiasco

#55

Post by noofen » Thu, May 27, 2021, 8:45 PM UTC

chipotle_coyote wrote: post #40

generalizations wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If we accept that taking action against misinformation is good, then this sort of mistake will inevitably happen. If you're in favor of taking action against misinformation, then you should be willing to accept this situation as an acceptable failure. I'm not willing to accept that.

> If you're in favor of taking action against misinformation, then you should be willing to accept this situation as an acceptable failure. We can believe taking action against misinformation is a generally good principle while still believing that both our definition of "misinformation" and the kinds of actions we take may need to be improved.

I disagree. The market and political forces are too strong, the "misinformation" umbrella will always expand to fit the needs of the wealthy and powerful.

When the stakes are high, exactly the time when you need radical honesty, the benefits of censoring information are also high.

Some might say, "hasn't this always been the case?" And you'd be correct. The difference today is that it is now a fashionable political position to cheer for censorship of any controversial ideas. This prevailing attitude combined with centralization of the public square (social media) is a dangerous combination, and we will continue to pay the price of this well into the future.

The trust in traditional institutions is plummeting, as it should for anyone who has witnessed their actions the past year.

I still remember the "hug a Chinese person" campaign in Italy.

Re: The media's lab leak fiasco

#56

Post by imwillofficial » Thu, May 27, 2021, 8:45 PM UTC

HappySweeney wrote: post #28

partiallypro wrote: post #4

To me what gives me credence to the "lab leak theory" more than anything, was China's behavior during and initially after the outbreak. Where they thwarted any investigations from WHO or anyone else and arrested journalists even attempting to cover it. Now we have additional information of lab workers being sick back in November...I genuinely wonder why people immediately jumped in to defend China's actions through t…

I think, like me, many dismissed the lab-leak theory because it sounded like yet-another attempt to push the blame for all the unnecessary death from Trump to China, as well as the cavalcade of doctors stating that the DNA of the virus was clearly not artificially constructed.

So you’re saying you formed an important opinion on a impactful topic without reviewing the evidence?

Maybe you should change that

Re: The media's lab leak fiasco

#57

Post by newaccount2021 » Thu, May 27, 2021, 8:45 PM UTC

npilk wrote: post #3

I thought this was a fascinating read. I’d love to see more analysis like this of what exactly people said, and how it was quoted and characterized in the media.

Its very simple - Trump promoted the lab hypothesis, so mainstream media immediately seized on the notion that it was a crank conspiracy

Re: The media's lab leak fiasco

#58

Post by narrator » Thu, May 27, 2021, 8:45 PM UTC

thundergolfer wrote: post #44

deadalus wrote: post #5

Reminder that Facebook and Twitter banned users for talking about the lab-leak theory. Youtube accounts also got demontized/banned.

Have you got a link to examples? I’m wondering if they weren’t also saying that China deliberately leaked the virus. Saying “it is possible but very unlikely that the virus leaked from a Wuhan lab” is talking about the lab-leak theory. Saying “the virus was cooked up and leaked from a Wuhan lab to hurt Trump’s re-election chances” is also talking about the lab-leak theory.

Zerohedge getting banned from Twitter for publishing an expose of the Wuhan Lab which is pretty close to what is acknowledged as a probable story these days is the most high profile example.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/zerohedge-banned-from-twitter-...

Re: The media's lab leak fiasco

#59

Post by imwillofficial » Thu, May 27, 2021, 8:45 PM UTC

andybak wrote: post #6

deadalus wrote: post #5

Reminder that Facebook and Twitter banned users for talking about the lab-leak theory. Youtube accounts also got demontized/banned.

I'm generally in favour of the actions taken against misinformation but this situation surprises me. Lab leak always seemed plausible and non-crazy even if you think the odds are against it. I don't envy the task of making a call on any of this stuff.

It’s misinformation until we tell you otherwise citizen!

Re: The media's lab leak fiasco

#60

Post by greedo » Thu, May 27, 2021, 8:45 PM UTC

908B64B197 wrote: post #43

partiallypro wrote: post #4

To me what gives me credence to the "lab leak theory" more than anything, was China's behavior during and initially after the outbreak. Where they thwarted any investigations from WHO or anyone else and arrested journalists even attempting to cover it. Now we have additional information of lab workers being sick back in November...I genuinely wonder why people immediately jumped in to defend China's actions through t…

Interesting how media coverage completely changed. Under the previous administration it was considered racist to even mention the theory and it's proponents were considered racists or conspiracy theorists. Why such a sudden change? China certainly didn't change its position on the issue...

There's a world of difference in considering this theory, and with calling it the "Asian Flu" or "Kung Flu" etc. One act addressed what happened, the other tars entire nations/cultures/regions with a wide brush.