Like duh? “Higher narcissism linked to more active role in politics”
Narcissistic people are more active in politics and they like to “broadcast their politics”. Can you spot such people on social media?
Privacy: Universities mandate students install tracking apps
Some universities are requiring students to agree to mandated installation of unspecified tracing apps on their smart phones (which assumes they have a compatible smart phone and will have it turned on at all times). What could go wrong?
Propaganda: “Person X” who opposes mask mandates tests positive for COVID-19
The media has undertaken a national propaganda campaign on face masks: They only report when a person opposed to face masks tests positive. They NEVER report that most people testing positive were probably wearing face masks much of the time. This intentionally biases your perspective on the effectiveness of face masks.
The media may do this because they know that keeping readers and viewers emotionally inflamed is good for click bait and ad revenue.
Journalism
Journalism is embarrassing.
Social media has devolved into shouting
Once upon a time, media was about sharing items.
At some point, it was possible to have discussions about points of disagreement. To engage in two-way interaction – to exchange information and learning.
Now, social media seems mostly about strongly worded assertions followed by shouting. Dissent is forbidden – and will get you canceled.
If you do not 100% agree with my assertions then you are a Nazi and must be canceled!
That in a nutshell, is today’s social media.
Some what misleading social media propaganda poster
An actual assault by right wing political supporters on the campaign manager of a Democratic Party rival was misreported as an assault on a senior citizen, probably to increase the emotional appeal of the message.
Should you warn social media friends about their posting habits?
We all have social media “friends” who spend nearly all of their online time promoting their politics, usually from the stand point of anger and outrage. Their lives appear consumed by anger and outrage to the point that the only thing they have to talk about is how awful politician X is, or political party Y is, or about how we must all support protest Z (and if we don’t agree, then we are Nazis or Marxists).
Do we want to hang out with people who are perpetually angry and outraged? Should we say something to them about how they come across online?
Facebook to limit forwarding in Messenger
Facebook acknowledges that it is a friction-less platform for the spread of propaganda. The popular chat platform will follow in sister company WhatsApp’s footsteps by limiting users to only five forwards at a time, Facebook said in a blog post, which it hopes will keep people from spreading potential misinformation to many friends at once. “Limiting forwarding is an effective way to slow the spread of viral misinformation and harmful content that has the potential to cause real world harm,”…
BGR is a fake news site? “Stock up on these 5 things while you can – experts say more grocery hoarding is coming – BGR”
BGR cites an old news story from mid July, about grocery item shortages in June and July (now being overcome), and throws in a made up assertion that “experts say” a huge second wave of Covid-19 is coming and you should stock up on essential items. This report uses FEAR to get you to take action, and click on their links to buy stuff – for which BGR appears to receive an affiliate marketing payment.
Just so you know, using a period in a sentence is a sign of aggression “.”
To the perpetually outraged, using a period at the end of a statement is now considered a form of aggression “.”