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Jonathan Jacobs (JJ)'s avatar

this is your most insightful post yet, my brother. the idea that attention has surpassed expertise is such an important, obvious yet subtle truth at the root of so many negative externalities. as a lifelong 'outsider' it feels weird to consider the destructive nature of outsiders being the source of truth for so many. im thinking the concept of being a loud, vocal contrarian intentionally, in a strategic effort to draw others to you, is fundamentally different from being authentically an 'outsider' in an attempt to distance oneself from others. really appreciate you making me think on this.

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Damon Woolsey's avatar

The undercurrents driving this have always been there, throughout human existence, because it's deeply rooted in our psychology, and that isn't going to change. What's changed is technology, and the algorithm is the enemy. But it's about to get much, much worse because, while governments and wealthy patrons have, at times, subsidized truthful endeavors, the wealthy are the very ones controlling the algorithms, and governments are beginning to choose political expediency over truth at an even greater rate than ever. What needs to happen to correct this is something entirely new, but I know not what.

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jason's avatar

i don't know either but in part, it's a big reason why i do my weekly You Are The Analyst series, not just to teach people about data but to create a fun way to help people think more critically about the content that is being presented to us.

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yocoda's avatar

> And you know what? i don't think most people even realize that they're actively participating in this system.

sigh...yea.. welcome to the party, glad you could finally open your eyes. <3 Here's what you missed;

- https://www.pnas.org/doi/full/10.1073/pnas.1320040111

- https://dl1.cuni.cz/pluginfile.php/1192375/mod_resource/content/2/Singer%2C%20P.%20W%20-%20LikeWar_%20the%20Weaponization%20of%20Social%20Media-Houghton%20Mifflin%20Harcourt%20%282018%29.pdf

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yocoda's avatar

The pdf is the book "Like War" by P. W. Singer and Emerson T. Brooking

Search for the word "aftermath" should be page 21, and start reading.

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