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The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler

anonymousdata.medium.com

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Re: The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler

#31

Post by formalsystems »

jessaustin wrote: post #15
formalsystems wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just started posting on the Internet this year after many years of lurking, and I truly don't understand why a handful of people take such a negative tone without even reading what I wrote. Is there something specific you don't agree with?

I read the first paragraph, and the abuse of logic just stopped me from continuing. "Americans have suffered far more during the pandemic than any other country, yet 25% of Americans still believe that the pandemic was planned and executed by powerful people." Why would suffering preclude a particular belief in a particular cause of that suffering? Are "powerful people" disinclined to visit suffering upon Americans?…

Thank you so much for providing this honest feedback. I am realizing now that I am trying to write these way too fast, and I'm not doing my research well enough or taking my personal opinions out of it.

I'm going to take a step back and ensure I am meeting the standards of HN before posting again. The truth of the matter is I am not a writer and am new to posting anything online. The questions you asked made me realize how little I critically analyzed my own writing. As I mentioned in a comment above, I'd like to make these neutral and lose the incendiary tone.

Re: The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler

#32

Post by formalsystems »

kps wrote: post #27
jessaustin wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I read the first paragraph, and the abuse of logic just stopped me from continuing. "Americans have suffered far more during the pandemic than any other country, yet 25% of Americans still believe that the pandemic was planned and executed by powerful people." Why would suffering preclude a particular belief in a particular cause of that suffering? Are "powerful people" disinclined to visit suffering upon Americans?…

> Americans have suffered far more during the pandemic than any other country That in particular in the opening is enough — a perfect match for the stereotypically ignorant parochial American. The US is among the worst off by some reasonable criteria like deaths per capita, but is in a cluster with other nations and not above. So to claim as if self-evident that it “suffered far more … than any other country” is just…

This is a very good point. I will be rewriting this entire thing and I appreciate the specific feedback.

Re: The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler

#33

Post by formalsystems »

guerrilla wrote: post #8
buffaloo wrote: post #2

Executive Summary: “The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler” are anyone with whom “anonymousdatascientist” disagrees.

"Please don't post unsubstantive flamebait, and please don't post supercilious dismissals." - dang From the guidelines: "Be kind. Don't be snarky. Have curious conversation; don't cross-examine. Please don't fulminate. Please don't sneer, including at the rest of the community." "Comments should get more thoughtful and substantive, not less, as a topic gets more divisive." "Eschew flamebait. Don't introduce flamewar…

Hey Daniel - really sorry for breaking the rules. I'm going to take a step back from posting on HN as some other commenters made excellent points about my partisan tone. I need to spend more time researching and get more critical eyes on my work before posting it here.

Re: The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler

#34

Post by formalsystems »

ketamine__ wrote: post #11

> The question we need to be asking is whether we should banish certain ideas to an echo chamber that the rest of us have no incentive to enter, or whether we should allow free expression of all ideas — no matter how repulsive — so rational minds may finally have an opportunity to prevail. I don't think the person that believes Bill Gates is trying to insert microchips into people is going to listen to rational thoug…

Thank you for this insight. I am re-writing the article and taking a step back in my writing to assume a more neutral tone.

Re: The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler

#35

Post by formalsystems »

Barrin92 wrote: post #20

> How is it possible for the most modern society in the world, with all the evidence right at our fingertips, to be so misinformed? well there's two answers to that question. Either the society you're talking about is in fact not the 'most modern' society on the planet, or having evidence at the tip of your fingers doesn't make you more informed. Spoiler alert, it's both. American society has a knack for conspiracy t…

Thank you for your valuable insight as I rewrite this to be less incendiary and better researched. I feel I have been too careless with my pseudonymous writing (see rubyist5eva’s valid criticism).

I am taking a step back to read deeper and improve the statistics/reproducibility side of my write-ups first.

Re: The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler

#36

Post by smitty1e »

smrk007 wrote: post #18
smitty1e wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which matters more: rational minds, or truth?

Obviously both are important, but I would at least thing that approaching an issue from a rational mind (not angry, etc.) would help one arrive at truth much more quickly.

I'm seeing large chunks of "rational" people avert their gaze from consideration of "truth", and the fallout promises to be ugly.

Re: The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler

#37

Post by smitty1e »

ardy42 wrote: post #29
smitty1e wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Which matters more: rational minds, or truth?

>> Has the free expression of all ideas through current means allowed rational minds to prevail? It seems that the status quo has failed to facilitate rational discussion. > Which matters more: rational minds, or truth? That question is based on a false premise. Irrational minds aren't going to arrive at truth through their own processes, except by accident. And "free expression of all ideas through current means" ha…

> meritless lies such as ..."Stop the Steal"

I sincerely hope to see this election put to a thorough legal test after the inauguration, because I'm falling short of agreement with you here.

Re: The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler

#38

Post by ardy42 »

smitty1e wrote: post #37
ardy42 wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>> Has the free expression of all ideas through current means allowed rational minds to prevail? It seems that the status quo has failed to facilitate rational discussion. > Which matters more: rational minds, or truth? That question is based on a false premise. Irrational minds aren't going to arrive at truth through their own processes, except by accident. And "free expression of all ideas through current means" ha…

> meritless lies such as ..."Stop the Steal" I sincerely hope to see this election put to a thorough legal test after the inauguration, because I'm falling short of agreement with you here.

>> meritless lies such as ..."Stop the Steal"

> I sincerely hope to see this election put to a thorough legal test after the inauguration, because I'm falling short of agreement with you here.

Why? It was already heavily scrutinized and no problems where found, and certainly none that would change the outcome in any way.

Also, it's clear that the main (perhaps only) reason this election was challenged was to assuage the fragile ego of an insecure man with a gift for demagoguery, a man who apparently has always used "loser" as the ultimate insult and cannot tolerate being one.

Re: The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler

#39

Post by formalsystems »

black6 wrote: post #23

> We should all be seeing the same images of overcrowded hospitals Yes, like the picture of the Italian ICU which was dishonestly placed in reports by US journalists to show overcrowded, chaotic American ICUs. > Americans have suffered far more during the pandemic than any other country 4.2% of the global population and a 20% share of the world's infections and deaths. How does that add up, especially when compared t…

Hey, author here - thank you so much for this pointed criticism. I honestly realized I had not researched or taken as open of a viewpoint as I had previously thought. I appreciate you taking the time to read what I wrote and write this clear feedback as it has helped me tremendously in developing a more objective perspective and neutral tone as a writer.

Just wanted to let you know that your keystrokes did make an impact on the writer, who sincerely appreciates your honest thoughts.

Re: The sources of misinformation that thrived in Parler

#40

Post by formalsystems »

buffaloo wrote: post #10
formalsystems wrote: post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I just started posting on the Internet this year after many years of lurking, and I truly don't understand why a handful of people take such a negative tone without even reading what I wrote. Is there something specific you don't agree with?

It’s the pervasive high handed tone adopted by propagandists posing as journalists to manipulate readers. We see this propaganda language now usually signaled with phrases like “claims without evidence,” “misinformation,” “lies”... Then, the “journalist” provides no basis for their assertions, instead relying upon their status as journalists, when in fact they are propagandists usurping the role of journalists. Gener…

Thank you for this feedback. I didn't realize I was taking the same tone as all the partisan journalism I read on a daily basis until I actually tried my hand at writing something myself. Your succinct criticism is greatly appreciated and has helped me tremendously in improving my writing ability.
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