You’re going to need to be vigilant about fact checking the information you come across. Meta (FB, Insta, WhatsApp), X/Twitter, TikTok are all fascist mouthpieces at this point, and you don’t have to use those services directly yourself for the messages they amplify to reach you.
Don’t just be suspicious of those messages you oppose. Be as suspicious of rage-bait, and messages you are already primed to agree with. This is how propaganda works: by taking advantage of what people already want to believe.
If you can’t find decent sources about the thing you’re seeking to verify, set that thing aside. If you can find one source, or the same story being repeated multiple places, be skeptical. Be aware that early reporting on events as they unfold can easily be wrong in ways that impact the accuracy of the reporting, even if the story is substantially true as a whole.
Information gaps - where one party has more, or more accurate, information than another party - are how power is leveraged. When you take steps to be factually accurate, in line with objective reality, you are shrinking the power of those who would like to control you.
I know I’m late to this but this is a fantastic post, and a really important idea to remember at a time like this
Especially given we’re on a platform with a more narrow range of political perspectives, so messages you agree with are very likely to spread here, and sometimes, like any message with emotional intensity, they’ll be wrong or misleading
You’re never late, and don’t let anyone make you feel like your participation isn’t important because they knew about something before you did. Thank you.
Thank you, I appreciate that :)
I think it’s mostly just habit from forum culture where necroposting brings back old forum threads that aren’t relevant anymore or whatever
This isn’t new and it doesn’t just apply to memes. Even “news” sites are and have been showing garbage headlines for a very long time.
Anytime I see outrageous shit it only takes a few seconds of looking around to see that it was worded specifically to push an agenda, not to inform the reader.
Agree I was just commenting elsewhere when someone replied to a “news meme” with “damn I wonder if this is true”
It’s like…go look it up? Never just trust a meme
With all of that being said, shouldn’t I be wary of what YOU say? 🤔
Absolutely. If I’m factually wrong, correct me. If you sincerely disagree, let’s hear it. I have a very strong preference for being factually accurate, and basing my conclusions on reality. I appreciate and encourage being corrected or challenged. Bring receipts.
