How Big Tech Killed Online Debate
I saw this article by Nathan J. Robinson on Current Affairs and wanted to share. I do agree with the idea that the twitter format discourages deep conversation and debate. Lemmy is in general much better in this regard, but even still it is affected by the wider internet culture of our time, and a proper debate culture takes effort.
Even on Lemmy I frequently see more nuanced takes being shut down by quick, snarky comments pushing the conversation into absolutes. And yes, a democratic society absolutely requires healthy discussion of difficult issues, not just outrage.
How Big Tech Killed Online Debate
On forums and blogs, people used to have detailed back-and-forth arguments. Can a democratic society survive if we don’t even bother arguing about ideas anymore?Nathan J. Robinson (Current Affairs Inc)
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Tony Bark
in reply to Gobbel2000 • • •like this
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vpol
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Tyrq
in reply to Tony Bark • • •XLE
in reply to Tony Bark • • •Ulrich
in reply to Gobbel2000 • • •It's because we've realized these people are a completely lost cause.
The rise of these platforms increased the ability of politicians' ability to disinform and manipulate people ten fold.
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Axolotl
in reply to Ulrich • • •like this
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schnurrito
in reply to Gobbel2000 • • •Similar thoughts here: slatestarcodex.com/2019/10/30/…
Particularly interesting is this comment:
Em Adespoton
in reply to schnurrito • • •This might be romanticizing the early Internet.
I can remember plenty of flame wars in the late 80s and early 90s that were all about shutting down meaningful discussion. Informed debate flourished in niche areas, but it still does today, in a similar volume. What’s changed is the massive volume of social media that’s grown up around it, including many types of voices that were in short supply on the Internet in 1989, and many of which are uneducated and/or tribal in nature.
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Cherry
in reply to Gobbel2000 • • •Its always been somewhat of an issue, but more recently the shut down has also been facilitated by the platforms, as they have an agenda, are concerned by legal issues or straight up want to flex authority.
I personally feel good debate is better in the real world, chat with people and open your mind. Its always a good way to get people practising their critical thinking skills. You can always start the questions..is big tech good or bad? what could be the consequences of letting your device think for you?
chicken
in reply to Cherry • • •Powderhorn
in reply to Gobbel2000 • • •There's a time and a place for everything, with apologies to John Lennon.
Lemmy is a great place for longform discussions, but the vast majority of my posts and comments tend to be of the one-line, weary-columnist snark variety.
Much of the news this days is "this is objectively bad," making attempts at discourse difficult.
Cherry
in reply to Powderhorn • • •Do you think the jump from viewing on pc to viewing on mobile phone may play a part?
On a big old square screen you could look a decent amount of replies fast, phone scroll through 2/3 long posts becomes a chore.
Powderhorn
in reply to Cherry • • •chicken
in reply to Gobbel2000 • • •