I think it's important to distinguish between cowardice, gullibility, and malice. In this instance, Bezos is demonstrating cowardice - or possibly cunning, since the non-endorsement probably generated more attention than an actual endorsement would have done.
Actually, while I'm at it, we also need to distinguish people with real concerns, who are holding their noses and supporting Republicans, and Trump in particular, because they perceive their alternative as equally bad.
We aren't going to heal the divisions in this country while at the same time classing Them as entirely Evil; moreover, that's in itself a move straight from the fascist playbook.
An exercise for everyone: imagine why a reasonable person might be taking a position opposed to you. Better yet, find out why, if you can. (That can be difficult; both sides go a bit braindead, and simply repeat slogans when challenged. But the slogans often aren't their real reasons.)
-- That said, the information stream is indeed in bad shape. I don't know for sure that this is anything exceptional; lies and propaganda have always been with us, and history shows lots of examples of bad journalism. Maybe there was a better period in my youth; OTOH, maybe I was too naive to notice things now obvious to me.
Chatbots filling the zone with shit is probably the biggest single threat - we've already lost most news media, with the remnants very much consolidated. (Those 5 men are already in charge.) And of course, active government censorship in those countries that believe in such things.
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dancing_serpent
Re: Thoughts
Date: 2024-10-28 01:39 pm (UTC)Actually, while I'm at it, we also need to distinguish people with real concerns, who are holding their noses and supporting Republicans, and Trump in particular, because they perceive their alternative as equally bad.
We aren't going to heal the divisions in this country while at the same time classing Them as entirely Evil; moreover, that's in itself a move straight from the fascist playbook.
An exercise for everyone: imagine why a reasonable person might be taking a position opposed to you. Better yet, find out why, if you can. (That can be difficult; both sides go a bit braindead, and simply repeat slogans when challenged. But the slogans often aren't their real reasons.)
--
That said, the information stream is indeed in bad shape. I don't know for sure that this is anything exceptional; lies and propaganda have always been with us, and history shows lots of examples of bad journalism. Maybe there was a better period in my youth; OTOH, maybe I was too naive to notice things now obvious to me.
Chatbots filling the zone with shit is probably the biggest single threat - we've already lost most news media, with the remnants very much consolidated. (Those 5 men are already in charge.) And of course, active government censorship in those countries that believe in such things.