'I'm Running Out of Ways to Explain How Bad This Is'

[babylonsister]

https://politicalwire.com/2024/10/11/im-running-out-of-ways-to-explain-how-bad-this-is/

‘I’m Running Out of Ways to Explain How Bad This Is’
October 11, 2024 at 12:00 pm EDT By Taegan Goddard

Charlie Warzel: “The truth is, it’s getting harder to describe the extent to which a meaningful percentage of Americans have dissociated from reality. As Hurricane Milton churned across the Gulf of Mexico last night, I saw an onslaught of outright conspiracy theorizing and utter nonsense racking up millions of views across the internet…”

“Even in a decade marred by online grifters, shameless politicians, and an alternative right-wing-media complex pushing anti-science fringe theories, the events of the past few weeks stand out for their depravity and nihilism. As two catastrophic storms upended American cities, a patchwork network of influencers and fake-news peddlers have done their best to sow distrust, stoke resentment, and interfere with relief efforts.”

“But this is more than just a misinformation crisis. To watch as real information is overwhelmed by crank theories and public servants battle death threats is to confront two alarming facts: first, that a durable ecosystem exists to ensconce citizens in an alternate reality, and second, that the people consuming and amplifying those lies are not helpless dupes but willing participants.”

[BeyondGeography]

1. My airport limo driver this morning asked me if I thought the government could control the weather

He’s an immigrant from Peru, has built his own little fleet of drivers, thinks things were better under Trump, the whole bit. I like him anyway.

His question was sincere. I pushed back a little but I wasn’t going to get anywhere and we shifted topics.

Dispiriting.

[Initech]

2. Conspiracy theory bullshit is killing this country.

It's killing democracies around the globe. It's truly sickening what is happening. Mark Zuckerberg and Elon Musk, along with Vladimir Putin, are absolutely to blame for all of this.

[birdographer]

3. I've mentioned before

Last edited Fri Oct 11, 2024, 02:33 PM - Edit history (1)

how this small WNC town I live in is Trumplandia. It's safe to assume that everyone is a moron cult member here. I no longer socialize at all; I know their stances by the plethora of "Voting for a Convicted Felon" t-shirts they proudly wear, the trump bumper stickers on every pickup truck, the flags, and the humongous signs at every traffic light. But having no social contact with them has provided something of a buffer for me and I keep my sanity.

Wednesday we passed a neighbor on our small road, she was going out, we were coming in. She stopped and put her window down and so I had to do likewise. Very brief chat, she told me that the woman she used to work out with was only 50 and "up and died" from a blood clot. And then she said "I know those things happen from the covid vaccination." Fortunately someone appeared behind her and we had to part company before she could ask if we get vaccinated. I am firm on not revealing our preferences, given the number of gun nuts on our road.

That bothered me for 24 hours. Knowing they are stupid horrible people in an abstract way is one thing, getting hit over the head with it another. I have a terrible time accepting that people who look human can possibly be so stupid.

Edit: Yes, I know that it is possible to have a cardiac event caused by the vaccine (linked to blood clot?). A study followed 7 million doses and found 320 people with cardiac events, I don't remember if they were fatal. Given the horrific death from covid, I think that's just a trump-driven anti-vax statement and not a well-researched fact on her part.

[kimbutgar]

4. The internet has been a blessing and a curse on the world

Conspiracy theories, lies and scams have proliferated on steroids.

[genxlib]

5. The misinformation is maddening

The fact that they are praying on the emotions of the victims to manipulate them is reprehensible.

But the thing I find the most aggravating is that they believe we have the ability to control the weather and they think we would use that ability for mass murder in search of power. As opposed to steering it out to sea to save our citizens.

[dawg]

6. The internet is like the palantiri from Lord of the Rings.

[Tennessee Hillbilly]

7. I thought christians believe that their god controls the weather.

Don't they refer to hurricanes and tornadoes as "acts of god"

[dchill]

8. Never underestimate the stupidity of the average person...

...on the internet.

[Marthe48]

9. Conspiracy and the unexplained were fun when I was 12

Most of the theories are stupid and surprise-the unexplained can be explained. Real life is challenging, too much for the gullible and inept Igors and Renfelds who promote and spread the lies.

The idiots who think the crap is all true must not have much to live for.

I found out the punk on my street who rides a tractor around because he is too stupid to pass the license test for a car is a trumper. He is a perfect example of idoits who support a criminal traitor.

[JCMach1]

10. Patchwork? Hardly. It's full court press disinformation

By the GOP and associated entities,. Dark, gray and otherwise.

It ramped up with Helene and continues unabated.