LogFAQs > #945725007

xp1337 posted...

Ultimately the problem is that instead of arguing sides agreeing on the facts in a debate/argument/discussion and the argument arising out of that mutual acceptance of the underlying facts; increasingly you see more and more that people will adopt their own "facts" and so now the parties don't even agree on the most basic framework of the discussion. And there's no longer even any commonly accepted "refs" in this anymore to settle those disputes. (Journalists and the media used to play something akin to this role but no longer.)

On top of the never ending work of the right-wing media machine, I really think the internet has played an insanely huge role in festering this environment where people can outright deny reality. Just look at the spread of Flat Earthers, QAnon, and Covid denial online. I've been saying for years that the internet has become a net force of harm for the world. Considering a sizable portion of Republicans refusing to wear masks are the biggest reason the U.S. is still in the mess we are with Covid, I don't know how anyone could come to a different conclusion.

I still see "plandemic" posts on my social media feeds from right-wingers. People are naturally inclined towards confirmation bias, and social media has made weaving an alternative narrative of reality and dissemenating it to the masses all the easier. Everyone wants to be an expert, and one "convincing" climate denialism video is enough for someone whose political affiliation requires them to be emotionally attached to climate change not existing and science being wrong.

And even for those who aren't particularly political and emotionally attached to their biases, well, narratives questioning science and facts still muddy the waters of what is true and what is not.

We have lost the concept of truth. What a fucked up state we are in as a species.

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- Blur -
Welcome to your Divinity.