throwmunist [any] @ throwmunist @hexbear.net

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3

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14

Joined

5 yr. ago

It used to be low quality, high engagement stuff; now it's low quality, high engagement, ragebait, bigoted stuff. In my opinion, nowadays is even worse than the 2016 "anti-sjw" era because these groups mastered algorithmic manipulation and developed their pseudoscience even more (redpill, incel things, pseudo philosophy) as a justification for their world-view and there's an up-tick of traditionalist lifestyles. Like, Catholics used to be chill, but on the internet, the ones that exist are imperial zealots (for those who don't know about this phenomenon: I'm not being metaphorical).

I have had reactionary content when I was watching videos on how to take notes on a software. The fucking youtuber opened his note as a fleeting example and the first thing that appears on his screen is some text on how feminism is bullshit and some weird pseudoscientific pseudophilosophical stuff on "female nature". That wasn't the first one. I discovered a niche that day: religious devouts that specialise in a certain type of software and workflow.

YouTube's natural block doesn't work for me. On the TV, it's even worse, it's the same as doing nothing. I use a browser extension so the channel is blocked completely (BlockTube). I have a separate browser/profile for this website, wtf. On Android, it doesn't matter because I use another app.

It's even worse when it over-corrects to the opposite, like, I'm watching some lecture on human rights and the algo throws at me right-wing extremist content against that. It's a step away from enlightened centrism.

True. But I worry a lot about those who don't know about this, in particular younger and older people. Many people are not sufficiently "tech literate" (so to speak). Or, they may acknowledge the existence of the algorithm but would refuse to accept that their content is controlled. In my experience, some even get angry when I even suggest that, specially right-wingers who believe they've found "the truth."

The right knows about the algorithmic push and uses that aggressively. I curated a good bubble for myself, I remember the content I like and want, but, sometimes, when I slip out of this bubble, it's truly a nightmare.

Just getting back to you to say that she's posted an update. She's recovering! She's walking! I'm sobbing rn 🫶😭🙏

They will crank it all up to 1488%

I just want to echo your comment, because that's also exactly what happened to me. Learning about USA interventionism scratched an "itch", made me pause, reflect and conclude: "hey... The USA sucks... They tried to control my country. Why am I still defending them?"

For me, Socialism was inevitable. I owe that to this kind of entry-level facts about the USA that highlight the contradictions of Capitalism.

Physics Girl's case was heartbreaking.

Wtf. His channel looks like it targets kids. Propaganda is so insidious.

This is so Steve Pinker coded: "humanity is safer now because fewer people are dying of violent causes, except if you consider indigenous populations and black and brown people in Africa and the Middle East. I will not count them! Only Civilized™ societies will be featured. Colonialism was just a blip, it's in the past now! War is bad. I will not analyse it. " (He literally says he won't count them in "Better Angels of our Nature"; he even uses fiction books as examples of how people lived under other historical times).

When a creator has strong opinions on specific things that are a bit trivial but provide an interesting point of view on life. Like having strong opinions on pockets.

I totally understand. I avoid these "archetypes" of videos like the plague. But that's the current al gore rhythm. I think this type of content works as a starter.

I also had this initial rapid reaction to the "I had a Ben Shapiro phase" comment, but it's something really common, even I went through this (many years ago I identified as libertarian!), but the content is great because it goes beyond that by bringing up practical steps.

Now that you've put that into words, it kinda makes sense. It's because the conservatives don't see queer relationships as equally valid or serious, even if the end goal is the same. That plays a lot into identity: they identify themselves with their "traditions", which includes "family", so when someone different tries to do the same, "oh, they're destroying 'The Family' by trying to have a family!".

It's kinda like gamer guys™ when a gamer girl just exists: "oh, no, she's a gamer girl, let's pick on her! You can't like the same things as me because of your gender!" In the end, conservatism is all about identitarianism ("you can't do x, y and z thint if you're a Man!!")—even though they'll blame that on the Left, because every accusation from the Right is a confession.