Previously discussed here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28302725 (August 2021)
It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness
61–70 of 704 posts
Re: It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness
#62What's interesting to me is that if we're able to accept the idea that mass social media-induced illness can be developed just by virtue of video watching TikTok or YouTube, then this opens new doors to examining the behaviour of other illnesses such as gender dysphoria that are statistically over represented. This is probably going to get downvoted to oblivion, because nobody wants to confront the idea that we can _…
very very good point. and anecdotally, i think it's indeed the case for gender dysphoria...
btw, not long ago there was a sociologist from columbia, working on the autism epidemics, pointing out how autism is "contagious" among parents https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/0003122411399389 - so it's not for the first time that we point out at the sociogenesis of mental illness
Re: It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness
#63What's interesting to me is that if we're able to accept the idea that mass social media-induced illness can be developed just by virtue of video watching TikTok or YouTube, then this opens new doors to examining the behaviour of other illnesses such as gender dysphoria that are statistically over represented. This is probably going to get downvoted to oblivion, because nobody wants to confront the idea that we can _…
This is the direct outcome of "political correctness", and of silencing people that disagree with you.
Even suggesting the fact that mass sociogenic illnesses (formerly called mass hysteria) primarily affect girls [1] goes against the new religion and is vilified immediately.
[1] https://adc.bmj.com/content/archdischild/106/5/420.full.pdf
Re: It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness
#64Earlier quoted context omitted.
Care to elaborate? As written, your comment can come off as rather ageist/sexist, which is a shame if you meant a specific trend.
Fuck it, I'll take the karma hit. I am of course referring to young girls identifying as male/non-binary. I'm sure some of the cases are genuine, but not all. And I'm not saying these girls aren't troubled or have other things going on that they need help with.
I think that characterising once thoughts around once gender as a social illness is deeply disrespectful against those individuals.
Re: It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness
#65What's interesting to me is that if we're able to accept the idea that mass social media-induced illness can be developed just by virtue of video watching TikTok or YouTube, then this opens new doors to examining the behaviour of other illnesses such as gender dysphoria that are statistically over represented. This is probably going to get downvoted to oblivion, because nobody wants to confront the idea that we can _…
Counter hypothesis. For the last several decades society put massive pressure on kids to conform to heteronormativity. With these pressures lessening more and more people are feeling empowered to explore their sexuality. Social media is absolutely involved, but we really don't know what the base rate would be in a society devoid of this kind of pressure.
This brings to mind one of my rules about conservative panics:
If laws against witchcraft are removed and/or witchcraft is destigmatized and then all the sudden there appears to be an explosion of witches, the explanation is probably not that hordes of people are adopting witchcraft.
I'll leave it to the reader to guess the simplest and most likely explanation.
Re: It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness
#66What's interesting to me is that if we're able to accept the idea that mass social media-induced illness can be developed just by virtue of video watching TikTok or YouTube, then this opens new doors to examining the behaviour of other illnesses such as gender dysphoria that are statistically over represented. This is probably going to get downvoted to oblivion, because nobody wants to confront the idea that we can _…
What boggles my mind is that people who adamantly claim that all gender behavior is socially constructed are the ones who are the first to denounce the idea that you can learn to want to be another gender.
Re: It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness
#67Sounds like the mania over Pokemon flashing induced seizures
Re: It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness
#68When I was in high school, one of the "popular" kids used to talk a bit odd on purpose and sure, it generated a bit of a chuckle at first, but he kept doing it and a lot of kids also adopted a similar vocal tic to seem like they were part of the cool group as well. Monkey see, monkey do.
Re: It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness
#69> with considerable impact on health care systems and society as a whole
(X) Doubt
Re: It’s not Tourette’s but a new type of mass sociogenic illness
#70What's interesting to me is that if we're able to accept the idea that mass social media-induced illness can be developed just by virtue of video watching TikTok or YouTube, then this opens new doors to examining the behaviour of other illnesses such as gender dysphoria that are statistically over represented. This is probably going to get downvoted to oblivion, because nobody wants to confront the idea that we can _…
Of course if gender non-normativity can be learned, so too can gender normativity (e.g. bro culture is arguably a form of men learning to do what their local culture considers male things). I don't think all trans people would disagree with that part as much as you think (see the "I never knew that could be an option" thoughts from some late transitioners reflecting back), the bit they'd disagree with is the idea that there is an aberration or problem to those who opt to identify with a gender other than their identified at birth sex.