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What happened after my 13-year-old son joined the alt-right

washingtonian.com

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Re: What happened after my 13-year-old son joined the alt-right

#6
There are bits of this story which simply don't add up or end up feeling quite embellished. The reaction from the principle seems quite far-fetched and the ending feels like it was meant as a call back to the beginning rather than something that actually happened.

Regardless though, this story is generally correct in how the alt-right appeals to younger and more vulnerable individuals. They tend to recruit through avenues like video games, discord and so forth. A lot of memes can also help drag people into the fold with not-so-subtle racism and xenophobia which kids might not be able to fully grasp at their age.

It's one of those things I find strange because I grew up heavily addicted to the internet as well and it's hard for me to think of many memes which were weaponized to such an extent.

Re: What happened after my 13-year-old son joined the alt-right

#7

There are bits of this story which simply don't add up or end up feeling quite embellished. The reaction from the principle seems quite far-fetched and the ending feels like it was meant as a call back to the beginning rather than something that actually happened. Regardless though, this story is generally correct in how the alt-right appeals to younger and more vulnerable individuals. They tend to recruit through av…

For all the talk about Russian social media meddling, I'm surprised no one ever speculates about foreign meddling in media such as the chans. To what extent has chan culture been influenced by foreign agitprop?

Re: What happened after my 13-year-old son joined the alt-right

#8
Why are Americans so obsessed with Nazis? I mean, I'm from Europe and I don't recall growing up worrying about everyone being a secret (or overt) Nazi, which, unless promptly punched in the face, would somehow take over.

WWII and Nazis destroyed Europe. Are Europeans worried about Nazis? Not as far as I can tell.

Yet all I see from American news is Nazis this Nazis that. Can someone explain?

Re: What happened after my 13-year-old son joined the alt-right

#9

Why are Americans so obsessed with Nazis? I mean, I'm from Europe and I don't recall growing up worrying about everyone being a secret (or overt) Nazi, which, unless promptly punched in the face, would somehow take over. WWII and Nazis destroyed Europe. Are Europeans worried about Nazis? Not as far as I can tell. Yet all I see from American news is Nazis this Nazis that. Can someone explain?

In before the delete.

Re: What happened after my 13-year-old son joined the alt-right

#10
It doesn't seem like the woman even seriously dealt with the fact of the false accusation, or the reality that it implies. All it takes it a woman's word, and men can be destroyed. That young woman, and everyone who supported her, are to blame. And people like that WILL be to blame for any escalation. Yet the story just end with some bizzare turn-about - a suggestion all it takes it letting your kid read counter-arguments and treating them like an adult. The "alt-right" is recruiting people who are genuinely disaffected, and you're not going to solve it all with counter-propaganda.

I really wonder if someday, assuming this story is actually true, that boy grows up and gets falsely accused of rape and gets thrown into prison. His only hope being, of course, that the woman has a change of heart and recants.

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