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In reply to the discussion: Massive misinformation campaign against Israel. [View all]JoseBalow
(2,901 posts)76. May I ask a question?...
What is Sealioning?
Sealioning refers to the disingenuous action by a commenter of making an ostensible effort to engage in sincere and serious civil debate, usually by asking persistent questions of the other commenter. These questions are phrased in a way that may come off as an effort to learn and engage with the subject at hand, but are really intended to erode the goodwill of the person to whom they are replying, to get them to appear impatient or to lash out, and therefore come off as unreasonable.
If youve been sealioned in real life or online, youll feel like every argument is cyclical. You make a point, only for the sea lion to storm in asking for proof of what you said. Your expertise and knowledge are denied. Its your job to go out of your way to convince them, even though theyre the one who questioned you in the first place.
Jessica Lindsay, Metro UK, 5 July 2018
Even when sealioning is recognized, responding suitably can be difficult. There are no clear norms for handling itadvice tends to simply suggest "Dont feed the troll." While this may allow an individual to navigate the moment, it doesnt address broader effects on trust and learning.
Amy Johnson, Perspective on Harmful Speech Online, August 2017
Sealioning is when an uninvited stranger pops into your conversation and peppers you with unsolicited and insincere questions. The sealion politely demands evidence for even the most mundane or self-evident statements and insists that you justify your opinions until he's satisfiedwhich he never is, since he's asking questions in bad faith. The sealion is basically the self-appointed "good cop" in an interrogation for a crime you didn't commit.
Anita Sarkeesian, Marie Claire, 20 Feb. 2015
https://www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/sealioning-internet-trolling
Sealioning refers to the disingenuous action by a commenter of making an ostensible effort to engage in sincere and serious civil debate, usually by asking persistent questions of the other commenter. These questions are phrased in a way that may come off as an effort to learn and engage with the subject at hand, but are really intended to erode the goodwill of the person to whom they are replying, to get them to appear impatient or to lash out, and therefore come off as unreasonable.
If youve been sealioned in real life or online, youll feel like every argument is cyclical. You make a point, only for the sea lion to storm in asking for proof of what you said. Your expertise and knowledge are denied. Its your job to go out of your way to convince them, even though theyre the one who questioned you in the first place.
Jessica Lindsay, Metro UK, 5 July 2018
Even when sealioning is recognized, responding suitably can be difficult. There are no clear norms for handling itadvice tends to simply suggest "Dont feed the troll." While this may allow an individual to navigate the moment, it doesnt address broader effects on trust and learning.
Amy Johnson, Perspective on Harmful Speech Online, August 2017
Sealioning is when an uninvited stranger pops into your conversation and peppers you with unsolicited and insincere questions. The sealion politely demands evidence for even the most mundane or self-evident statements and insists that you justify your opinions until he's satisfiedwhich he never is, since he's asking questions in bad faith. The sealion is basically the self-appointed "good cop" in an interrogation for a crime you didn't commit.
Anita Sarkeesian, Marie Claire, 20 Feb. 2015
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Trump stole thousands of classified documents and showed them to random visitors...
yardwork
Nov 2023
#140
I remember in the early 80's at college the anti-jewish arab students were trying to convince all of us
SouthernDem4ever
Oct 2023
#114
I think we are entering a new era of disinformation. With social media and AI it
walkingman
Oct 2023
#11
Funny - agree but with AI I don't think we have seen anything like what is to come.
walkingman
Oct 2023
#25
I think they meant the entrance of AI (ChatGPT's Initial release date of November 30, 2022 being the first widespread
Celerity
Oct 2023
#57
Yes, thanks. This thread seems to assume anyone concerned about war crimes in Gaza are antisemitic
MadameButterfly
Oct 2023
#77
I accept your concern about antisemitic tropes but the reference to a conspiracy
MadameButterfly
Nov 2023
#148
There are lots of folks concerned about war crimes committed against the Gazans, in Gaza, by Hamas.
lapucelle
Nov 2023
#152
yes, agreed, Hamas are war criminals and both Palestinians and Israelis are victims
MadameButterfly
Nov 2023
#158
And they gain even more power when they trick Democrats into agreeing with them.
yardwork
Oct 2023
#55
Misrepresenting Isaraelis as all agreeging with Netanyau, or Palestinians as all agreeing with Hamas is like
MadameButterfly
Oct 2023
#80
I agree with much of what you are seeing--I am also not Jewish, also previously critical
Wingus Dingus
Oct 2023
#43
Right: Take out Hamas, but no bombs or missiles. Take out Hamas, but hey, no
Wingus Dingus
Oct 2023
#95
You made a claim. Surely you can back it up with a citation of the convention and the article.
lapucelle
Nov 2023
#156
What "list" were you talking about? There's only one list in that subthread.
lapucelle
Nov 2023
#171
Thanks. Yes, the coverage is intended not so much to inform but to inflame.
Wingus Dingus
Oct 2023
#123
Does anybody feel as I do: That Europe is getting off the hook in this conflict?
GreenWave
Oct 2023
#48
I detected that from the unprecedented anti-Israel opposition that I've been seeing.
live love laugh
Oct 2023
#105
Attacking Israel makes old time anti-Jewish attitudes more palitable because one can wrap the hatred in nice
AZLD4Candidate
Nov 2023
#131
What you said, yardwork. I wasn't expecting it's sheer virulence across campuses...
Hekate
Nov 2023
#165