Everyone should have access to all the facts. That way they can make informed decisions.
I agree with the general sentiment, although on the other hand, when there are well-funded propaganda machines at play (including think tanks and corporate-owned publishers), it’s possible to flood the zone with misleading facts.
A sad truth is that, due to shortcomings in our education system and the cultural domination of propagandists, there are millions of people who, given access to all the facts, don’t have the tools to filter them and make an effective decision. Likewise, you can give me a heap of absolute raw facts about quantum physics or agricultural research or nutritional science or certain sports, and I probably won’t have the experience or prerequisite knowledge to use any of it except the most basic parts. At some point, an expert needs to curate this for a general audience and give context. Until people are empowered to process facts effectively, most of us need them selected, and if we choose our news channels poorly, we’re at the mercy of those selecting them.
If it was a private conversation, I’d agree completely.
Since this is a public forum, and because of how this kind of forum works*, it’s useful to refute these platitudes and flawed arguments because there are other people reading. The point isn’t to change Seagoon’s mind - I’ve seen their posts long enough to know they’re unlikely to read anything in good faith, it wouldn’t be worth our time at all.
* I say ‘how this kind of forum works’, because in some other situations, replying can give pointless attention or legitimacy to bullshit. But I don’t think that’s an issue here.
I agree with the general sentiment, although on the other hand, when there are well-funded propaganda machines at play (including think tanks and corporate-owned publishers), it’s possible to flood the zone with misleading facts.
A sad truth is that, due to shortcomings in our education system and the cultural domination of propagandists, there are millions of people who, given access to all the facts, don’t have the tools to filter them and make an effective decision. Likewise, you can give me a heap of absolute raw facts about quantum physics or agricultural research or nutritional science or certain sports, and I probably won’t have the experience or prerequisite knowledge to use any of it except the most basic parts. At some point, an expert needs to curate this for a general audience and give context. Until people are empowered to process facts effectively, most of us need them selected, and if we choose our news channels poorly, we’re at the mercy of those selecting them.
You’re trying to argue with a Nazi. It’s not worth your time.
If it was a private conversation, I’d agree completely.
Since this is a public forum, and because of how this kind of forum works*, it’s useful to refute these platitudes and flawed arguments because there are other people reading. The point isn’t to change Seagoon’s mind - I’ve seen their posts long enough to know they’re unlikely to read anything in good faith, it wouldn’t be worth our time at all.
* I say ‘how this kind of forum works’, because in some other situations, replying can give pointless attention or legitimacy to bullshit. But I don’t think that’s an issue here.
Yeah that’s a fair point actually. Nicely done.