Fediverse vs Disinformation
Pointing out, debunking, and spreading awareness about state- and company-sponsored astroturfing on Lemmy and elsewhere. This includes social media manipulation, propaganda, and disinformation campaigns, among others.
Propaganda and disinformation are a big problem on the internet, and the Fediverse is no exception.
What's the difference between misinformation and disinformation? The inadvertent spread of false information is misinformation. Disinformation is the intentional spread of falsehoods.
By equipping yourself with knowledge of current disinformation campaigns by state actors, corporations and their cheerleaders, you will be better able to identify, report and (hopefully) remove content matching known disinformation campaigns.
Community rules
Same as instance rules, plus:
- No disinformation
- Posts must be relevant to the topic of astroturfing, propaganda and/or disinformation
Related websites
- EU vs Disinfo
- FactCheck.org
- PolitiFact
- Snopes
- Media Bias / Fact Check
- PEN America
- Media Matters
- FAIR
Matrix chat links
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Being anti-fascist sounds like a fascist idea?
Edit: I agree that conservatives are not necessarily fascists. It’s just that fascists have historically loved spitting into the same cup as conservatives and happily drinking the cup together. Moreover, fascists censor or assassinate people who dare to question the dogma that ‘corporations are never wrong’, that ‘ultra-nationalism is definitely not an excuse to exploit workers’, or that ‘some people aren’t people’. Conservatives have, historically, been more than happy with the censorship or the assassination of those who point out that fascists are irresponsible, that fascists are obsessed with the shape of their belly-buttons, or that fascists are scared of anyone who doesn't fit into the tiny conceptual boxes that fascists have in their head.
Huh, that's strange.
I have no record of the comment you're replying to, and I only block fascists and liars.
Cool. I am neither, so looks like you block more than that.
Banning people just because they are conservative sure does. The person I replied to said: "that autobans American conservatives."
It sounds as if, for you, fascism means censoring or banning others, or at the very least banning conservatives. Do you really believe that's what it means? Is every person who censors or bans others (or at least conservatives) a fascist?
The neoliberal and pro-capitalist dictator Pinochet gathered thousands of people in stadiums and would torture or execute them. The same neoliberal and pro-capitalist dictator would wrap people in wire and railroad parts, and send them on a death-trip on helicopter to be dropped in a river to their deaths.
If the president of China gathered people in stadiums and tortured them or executed them, would that be neoliberalism or pro-capitalism? If the president of China wrapped people in wire or railroad parts, and sent them on a death-trip on helicopter to be dropped in a river to their deaths, would that be neoliberalism or pro-capitalism?
If the above is too complicated, here's the simple version: Let's say I have a table that's held together by screws. Furthermore, let's say I also have a calculator that's held together by screws. Is it accurate to say that, since both have screws, both are tables?
Putting the definition of fascism aside, do you know the paradox of tolerance?
Is every American conservative and/or Republican a fascist? Because that's what I'm arguing against.
Ah. You bring up a good point. I see how my previous comments were not accurate. I edited one of them and I'll copy the edit here:
I agree that conservatives are not necessarily fascists. It’s just that fascists have historically loved spitting into the same cup as conservatives and happily drinking the cup together. Moreover, fascists censor or assassinate people who dare to question the dogma that ‘corporations are never wrong’, that ‘ultra-nationalism is definitely not an excuse to exploit workers’, or that ‘some people aren’t people’. Conservatives have, historically, been more than happy with the censorship or the assassination of anti-fascists.
Just to be clear, since the word fascism is the one we're talking about: Who are anti-fascists? People who point out that the fascist emperor has no clothes. Who are anti-fascists? People who point out that fascists at the very least make mistakes like any other human (and at most are genocidal, radical, maniacs). Who are anti-fascists? People who point out that fascists are obsessed with the shape of their belly-buttons. Who are anti-fascists? People who point out that fascists are scared of anyone who doesn't fit into the tiny conceptual boxes that fascists have in their tiny heads.
I also understand that, in some groups, the historically-informed definition of fascism (as tied to capitalism, ultra-nationalism, and the dehumanization of people) is ignored. The word is used as a paint-ball gun to paint anything that they don't like with the word "fascism".
To the extent that fascism is tied to its 'corporations are never wrong', 'ultra-nationalism is definitely not an excuse to exploit workers', 'or its 'some people aren't people' roots, the label "fascist" fits Trump just like Cinderella's shoe fits her foot. And, given the paradox of tolerance, it would make sense to defend tolerance from fascists and therefore protect democracy from fascists.
Ok, now I can accept that opinion.
I'm seeing LOTS of Lemmy leaning that way. Just look at this thread. People are saying I'm a conservative so I should be banned. For posting links to news articles from major news orgs. Which if people just blocked c/conservative and c/politicsunifltered, they wouldn't see anyway. Not to mention that no one is making them click on the links.
I am not pro-fascist. I am pro-speech. I don't think I should be banned for posting a news article about Trump, from APNews to a c/conservative community.
I think you and I, agree on more stuff than we disagree on. I actually voted Socialist Workers Party, and I created and mod Socialst Workers Party communities, run a mastadon instance for them and their x.com account.
I'm glad we're on the same page.
I do agree that lots of people on Lemmy have been inoculated against the fascism disease. So much so that, if something smells like fascist arson, Lemmy immediately grabs the fire extinguisher. Extinguish the fire first. Ask questions later. It seems like this is the price to pay if a community is to defend itself against fascism, if a community is to defend tolerance from fascism, if a community is to protect democracy from fascists. If that is the price to pay, I very much think it's worth it.
But that doesn't mean that it's not frustrating to hear your story, where it sounds as if the anti-fascist fire extinguisher was deployed and released upon you, even though you are explicitly not pro-fascist and even anti-fascist (to the extent that supporting workers is anti-fascism). I can see how this could seem unfair, annoying, or frustrating.
My comments are not perfect, given the inaccuracy I implied before. However, would it be out of place for me to recommend a way of approaching fascist or conservative stories in the future to avoid the fire extinguisher? If not, maybe it's worthwhile checking out what George Lakoff has to say about conservative and progressive framing. He proposes a way of facing the facts, much in the same way that you seem to think that it is important to understand conservatives, but doing so in a way that doesn't feed the fascist fire. He proposes a way of understanding reality, with the feet firmly planted on the ground, taking well-placed step after step, without losing sight of the goal: a future where we all contribute to the welfare of everyone.
Not out of place at all, friend. I appreciate your concern.
But I gotta be upfront, and I don't want you thinking that I disregard anything that you are saying. Because I DO appreciate you, and in fact, envy your thoughtful nuance and educated responses.
But I don't take Lemmy that seriously. I just don't.
Lemmy didn't change the election. Lemmy didn't affect the election. Nothing I say or have said affected the election.
We are legit a small community of nerds who argue about shit online.
That's as far as it goes for me. Yes, I think conservatives should be able to speak here. Yes, I think Lemmy should be more open to diversity of opinions.
But no, I won't overthink my approach to it. I'll create a conservative community here and here, and contribute posts to them. From news orgs.
I just freakin' cut and past link of something I read that's interesting. That's it.
I don't ragebait, because I don't have any intent to enrage. The fact that people get enraged is on them, not me. I don't know why people even click on the links if they hate the headlines so much.
And if they DON'T click on the links, then they really shouldn't get so mad. Just ignore me, move on. I know it's possible. I ignore lots of people on Lemmy. lol
I do wish there were more people like you on here though. I enjoy your comments, even if I don't necessarily agree with all the points made.
Friend, you are much smarter and nuanced than I am.
And I appreciate that about you!