Carlisle (Pa.) Indian School, Classroom debating society, 1901 (Library of Congress)How to characterize that statement? “A lie segueing into a mischaracterization” sounds about right.
First the lie. Think about your interaction with social media. How much would you characterize as “open debate”? Pretty much zero, right? Actual debate requires the notion of impartial assessment of verifiable reality. Each side offers arguments backed by facts — ”evidence,” we called it in middle school debate club. A judge would decide whose case is best and thus carries the day. You had to prepare a strong case because you knew your opponent would have a logical argument and solid evidence supporting their side.
Nobody is debating on social media because nobody is open to the possibility that the other side might have a point, never mind be right. And nobody is judging because everybody has already made up their minds, which perceive the living world in a state that too often borders on pure hallucination laced with bottomless malice. Opposing arguments are dismissed immediately in a blast of contempt.
Which leads us to Clegg’s mischaracterization, “the free flow of ideas.” Sure, ideas are free-flowing on social media. (And here I’m struggling to find a metaphor that doesn’t involve diarrhea.) Unimpeded flow isn’t the problem, it’s what is flowing that’s the trouble: an endlessly gushing firehose discharging every possible unfiltered thought, notion, lie and fantasy.
Example? This week MAGA-world decided that ... well, let them explain:
“I believe that Damar Hamlin is dead unfortunately. We have yet to see his actual face there appears to be a clone,” announced one seer.
Or a robot. Or a body double. Died on the field. Of the COVID vaccine. Aggregate lifetimes were spent arguing about it online this past week. Right wing twitiot Stew Peters demanded Hamlin provide evidence of his continued existence, much like Trump crying for Obama’s birth certificate: “I want to see video of Damar Hamlin holding today’s newspaper with the date visible.” When Hamlin blocked him, Peters mocked the recuperating football star. “I used to think football players were tough” Peters pouted.
“Open debate” my foot.
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Clegg & everyone else at Fecesbook are idiots to let that vile, hate mongering pile of shit back. I can't wait until he calls for someone to be executed or some other atrocity he wishes on us.
ReplyDeleteI really doubt they'll ban him again, just issue a two bit warning that he'll ignore.
Of course it is our fault, as we are members of the human species.
ReplyDeleteOurs is so flawed compared to the rest of the animal kingdom.
Unlike the other species, where the lazy perish allowing the others to live and let live, ours is infected with greedy, lazy, dishonest, and power hungry people who make things more challenging for the rest of us.
The world’s governments are inching toward feudalism but my thoughts are it can only go so far.
Cuba is a good example. Batista didn’t realize how easy it would be for Castro to round up the peasants and easily convert the military (who were from peasant families) to turn against him.
I'm not sure the lazy belong with all those troublemakers. What has a lazy person ever done to you? Their central harm is to themselves, and even then, they're being who they are. I wish I could become MORE lazy.
DeleteI, for one, appreciate that refreshing defense of lazy people. You'll have to guess why. ; )
DeleteI get what you’re saying. I should have been more clear. I should have said how lazy some people are in regard to seeking truth, however mercurial it may be.
DeleteTrump may not even show up. He's still absent from Twitter, and Trump hates following any rules.
ReplyDelete