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Edited by Mrph1 on Nov 30th 2023 at 11:03:59 AM

SeptimusHeap MOD from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#257451: Oct 11th 2018 at 9:34:37 AM

What have echo chambers to do with US politics, specifically?

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#257452: Oct 11th 2018 at 9:39:12 AM

Well, we could have some discussion on how echo chambers led to the growth of the altright, which in turn has influenced the current state of politics, especially for the GOP.

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#257453: Oct 11th 2018 at 9:41:26 AM

reposting this since it was at the bottom of the last page, Trump was on another trainwreck interview with Fox and Friends this morning.

He ranted for about an hour, and the the hosts start to look desperate to shut him up.

Apparently, thinks that Devin Nunes should get a Medal of Honor. (Apparently parroting Hanity.)

"If this all turns out like everyone thinks it will, Devin Nunes should get the Medal of Honor. ... What he's gone through, and his bravery, he should get a very important medal — maybe we'll call it the Medal of Freedom."

Edited by megaeliz on Oct 11th 2018 at 12:43:58 PM

danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#257454: Oct 11th 2018 at 9:42:53 AM

[up]It's cathartic to see Fox's rhetoric is starting to bite them because the idiot they keep supporting can't differentiate between honesty and sarcasm.

Friendperson Since: May, 2018
#257455: Oct 11th 2018 at 9:43:59 AM

Mr. Heap, you have to admit that the truly toxic right-wing nonsense that got Trump elected was only able to to exist because certain people got these ideas put in their heads or exposed to them and never saw anything to contradict them, almost as if by design.

Zarastro Since: Sep, 2010
#257456: Oct 11th 2018 at 9:44:52 AM

[up] They also shape how foreigners view a country. My political exposure to the USA is mostly through this forum and the New York Times. Which made it more shocking that Trump became president, or the news that the Republicans might defend majority in the senate next month.

SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#257457: Oct 11th 2018 at 9:46:01 AM

Sure, but that's not an issue specific to the US. I am also not certain that it's 100% demonstrated fact or that lumping the discussion into a general politics thread is the correct way.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#257458: Oct 11th 2018 at 9:47:54 AM

Is "gal" a frowned upon word? Trump is complaining that he can't use it because of Me Too.

Edited by speedyboris on Oct 11th 2018 at 11:47:37 AM

megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#257459: Oct 11th 2018 at 9:49:21 AM

People actually still say that?

Edited by megaeliz on Oct 11th 2018 at 12:54:55 PM

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#257460: Oct 11th 2018 at 9:55:26 AM

I don't believe enough people use it for it to be addressed one way or another by #Me Too!.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#257461: Oct 11th 2018 at 9:56:46 AM

[up] So basically, he’s just drumming up a non-issue?

Edited by megaeliz on Oct 11th 2018 at 12:56:50 PM

Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#257462: Oct 11th 2018 at 10:30:47 AM

It's Trump, take a guess.

Edited by Fourthspartan56 on Oct 11th 2018 at 1:31:11 PM

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
megaeliz Since: Mar, 2017
#257463: Oct 11th 2018 at 11:31:20 AM

Older, but worth a read:

I used to be That Guy. I always voted Republican. I watched Fox News. I read clickbait articles on Barack Obama and Hillary Clinton. I echoed these slanted talking points when I was a Radio show guest prior to the 2016 Presidential General Election. In one sense, I was just your average, conservative, pro-Israel Jewish American. Yet, I was also a full-fledged, unapologetic, red-hat wearing Trumper.

When the General Election came and it was between Trump and Clinton, my choice was easy. I did not even think to research any of Clinton’s accomplishments as First Lady, Senator, or Secretary of State — like most conservatives, I just focused on her seemingly never ending “scandals.” I was part of the “LOCK HER UP” chorus, even though she was thoroughly investigated and cleared by the FBI. I did, and perhaps still do, feel Clinton’s leadership was lacking during and after the Benghazi attack, but many among the MAGA crowd blamed her personally for the resultant deaths, and I joined in. Trump, on the other hand, was hailed as a friend of Israel and the Jewish people. Yet, unlike with Clinton, I looked only at Trump’s accomplishments, ignored his failures and defended or even celebrated his bad behavior. Consequently, I put all my efforts into helping elect him.

While aboard the “Trump Train,” I met many Trump supporters who felt stigmatized or ignored on Twitter. They introduced me to specific Direct Message (DM) groups where they felt their voice could be heard without judgement from “RIN Os” or “Liberals.” These DM groups also served as a sort of amplifier, where one would submit their tweets to get many followers and retweets. A top MAGA Twitter account would quote someone they didn’t like, Trump supporters would then swarm in and malign that individual for dissenting thought. At the time, I didn’t think about how vile many of these tweets were, even while sending them out myself. I felt at home, as these Twitter accounts were supposedly conservative, pro-God, pro-guns, pro-flag, and pro-secure borders. For those foolish enough to critique any of those values, there was a Twitter mob eagerly waiting to attack. I was part of that mob.

Then came the moment that changed my life in politics and social media. I accused Sarah Silverman and liberals as a whole (since conservative pundits and media do this) of caring more about Illegals than American Veterans. To my surprise, Sarah Silverman replied, and the resulting dialogue was respectful. Months went by and we interacted more on Twitter on issues like gun reform, DACA, and abortion. Not only did I learn from her, but I learned from her followers who showed me why they fight for these rights. I discovered sources with journalistic integrity which debunked the lies and generalizations that conservative media often report. I slowly began reevaluating my principles.

During this process, a few high-profile Twitter Trump supporters saw me communicating with (as opposed to bashing) Silverman and other liberals like Andy Lassner and Chelsea Clinton. The Trump train mob turned their vileness toward me, just for talking respectfully to those they thought of as the enemy. I, a U.S. Army war Veteran of 13 years, was being called a traitor to the country. I never realized how hateful this group was until I became the subject of their abuse (which doesn’t make me feel very good). From then on, my eyes were open to the kind of person Trump was — an amoral bully like his base that supported and elected him. There was the MAGA way or the wrong way, and Trump and his followers would use Twitter to bully those who thought differently. Trump’s tweets were both divisive and dishonest, and everything had to be about him personally. I decided to no longer be part of the Trump Train or MAGA team and ended my blind loyal support.

Now that I was my own person on my own timeline, I began to reach out to well-known liberals. By doing so, I learned the majority of DACA recipients are not actually MS 13 gang members as conservative media would have you believe — indeed, many are veterans themselves. I learned more about gun reform, and that a majority just want common sense laws in an effort to reduce mass shootings, especially in schools. Even as progressive as Silverman is, she is against gun confiscation.

I now recognize that white privilege exists. I acknowledge there is racism in America that Fox never talks about. I understand why the football players kneel during the anthem, and I support it because it’s their free speech. I am beginning to understand the main values of liberalism, human rights, acceptance and equality for all.

And the more I learn, the more these values are sinking into my heart. For the first time in my life, I will be looking to vote blue this election cycle, and I will continue to fight for what’s right… now that I finally know what right is.

I think it touches on some of the questions a lot of you have been asking about echo chambers and how it translates to real world politics, and even a bit on how we can maybe start to bridge that divide.

Edited by megaeliz on Oct 11th 2018 at 2:31:41 PM

speedyboris Since: Feb, 2010
#257464: Oct 11th 2018 at 11:47:35 AM

Better late that never. At least they'll be voting blue in the next election.

And props to Sarah Silverman for opening a dialogue instead of insulting him back, thus perpetuating the cycle.

[down] I'm sure advertisers also had something to do with it. They couldn't have been happy that their ads kept being preempted, especially with how many damn rallies he does.

Edited by speedyboris on Oct 11th 2018 at 2:01:58 PM

danime91 Since: Jan, 2012 Relationship Status: Above such petty unnecessities
#257465: Oct 11th 2018 at 11:50:07 AM

Ratings of Trump's rallies being aired on Fox are dropping

Turns out that having a bunch of rallies where you talk the same fake talking points over and over again will eventually grow stale. Who knew? Now comes Fox's decision time. Stick with Trump like the good State Media that they've been? Or go with capitalism and focus on things that actually bring in ratings?

Edited by danime91 on Oct 11th 2018 at 11:50:51 AM

Swanpride Since: Jun, 2013
#257466: Oct 11th 2018 at 11:54:22 AM

I am not quite as optimistic...I have tried to get my father out of his echo chamber for so long now. He spend so much time sending me right wing propaganda over social media, I started to send him back a video about how right wing propaganda works every single time or videos which captured what really happened instead of the right wing spin. But I don't think that I really managed to get him to reconsider.

The only thing I managed was that he stopped sending me this dreck. But I am not sure if this is because he gave up or if he is just currently too busy.

RainingMetal (Handed A Sword) Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#257467: Oct 11th 2018 at 12:08:07 PM

To quote Wolfenstein II: The New Colossus, "Forget about the turncoats, focus on the grassroots." Those who are still capable of seeing reason can still be saved.

Edited by RainingMetal on Oct 11th 2018 at 2:08:29 PM

ASAB: All Sponsors Are Bad.
PhysicalStamina i'm tired, my friend (4 Score & 7 Years Ago) Relationship Status: Coming soon to theaters
i'm tired, my friend
#257468: Oct 11th 2018 at 12:18:26 PM

As I've said several times before, reaching out to such people is the duty of those with the patience to do so. i.e., not me.

i'm tired, my friend
TobiasDrake (•̀⤙•́) (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Arm chopping is not a love language!
(•̀⤙•́)
#257469: Oct 11th 2018 at 12:32:58 PM

So basically, he’s just drumming up a non-issue?

Whenever Republicans need to win sympathy points out of nowhere, they invent a culture war over a harmless thing that was never in dispute.

See: The War on Christmas, which exists exclusively on FOX News.

Edited by TobiasDrake on Oct 11th 2018 at 1:33:17 PM

My Tumblr. Currently side-by-side liveblogging Digimon Adventure, sub vs dub.
ironballs16 Since: Jul, 2009 Relationship Status: Owner of a lonely heart
#257470: Oct 11th 2018 at 1:01:31 PM

With the aforementioned AP article about children of those deported being adopted within the US, it bears mentioning that the case they follow closest happened under Obama, which is indicative of just how long-running this shit is. Trump's antics have simply brought it to the forefront.

[down]

In fairness, her case was a bit more unique in that regard, as the foster parents genuinely thought they were doing the right thing. A session with a play therapist hinted at the daughter having been exposed to abuse at home, and the mother had a slew of charges filed against her while still in El Salvador. The problem is, those charges were leveled by her abusive ex-husband during a custody battle, and even his own mother debunked the claims. So it's not as simple as the White Man's Burden in that particular case.

Edited by ironballs16 on Oct 11th 2018 at 4:54:24 AM

"Why would I inflict myself on somebody else?"
SeptimusHeap from Switzerland (Edited uphill both ways) Relationship Status: Mu
#257473: Oct 11th 2018 at 1:42:06 PM

^^Huh, didn't Australia also pull the same trick? And Switzerland something vaguely related.

"For a successful technology, reality must take precedence over public relations, for Nature cannot be fooled." - Richard Feynman
Fourthspartan56 from Georgia, US Since: Oct, 2016 Relationship Status: THIS CONCEPT OF 'WUV' CONFUSES AND INFURIATES US!
#257474: Oct 11th 2018 at 1:48:38 PM

According to a new poll published by the Public Region institute, only 36% of voters ages 18-29 are sure they'll vote. Admittedly it's the same as 2014, but still.

Not the best but no reason to panic, the numbers could rise as the election gets closer and if women have solidly gone to the Democrats as the CNN poll showed then that would be devastating enough on its own.

"Einstein would turn over in his grave. Not only does God play dice, the dice are loaded." -Chairman Sheng-Ji Yang
wisewillow She/her Since: May, 2011
She/her
#257475: Oct 11th 2018 at 1:50:21 PM

I looked at that link and couldn’t find the methodology for how they got their sample.


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