Almost as though these interviews and debates don’t really matter. They’re just fuel for a barrage of bot-powered social media spam and talk radio/podcast spin.
My father-in-law will periodically pop in to hang out. He listens to right-wing radio and has friends who are hooked on it, and he will ask these very bizarre pointed questions about why Harris/Biden are doing XYZ. And all I can respond with is “They’re not doing that. That’s totally manufactured. Here’s proof.” He’ll acknowledge it. But then he’ll come back a week later with another nonsense allegation.
I want to say “Just Google this shit before you ask”, but then I Google it myself and find a wall of right-wing hysterical talking points based on how my father-in-law phrased the question.
I appreciate you posting that. My late ex fil did the same thing. Had a total conspiracy minded friend. Was always awkward I had to be the one to say “No, Trudeau didn’t do that.”
At least he was nice and respectful about it. My cousins on the other hand… well, I get very high at family gatherings now.
The best way to counter such stuff - instead of disagreeing right away and making their defenses pop up, just ask them where the facts are for the claim. If they say it’s something they heard or read, ask where those sources got their info. Letting them dig further helps to show how valid or invalid what they say might be, it might plant a bit of doubt for the next time they run across something that is designed to be accepted without evidence. Maybe. I mean, that’s all we can do really, help them be more critical thinking, even if by accident.
Letting them dig further helps to show how valid or invalid what they say might be
The problem with this approach is that it requires critical thinking.
If they “see it on the internet on Jimbo’s blog” they believe that is equally believable to “its posted on nasa.gov”. I attribute some of this to technology getting really good at some things that it makes those that don’t know how technology works that other unbelievable things are also real.
Almost as though these interviews and debates don’t really matter. They’re just fuel for a barrage of bot-powered social media spam and talk radio/podcast spin.
My father-in-law will periodically pop in to hang out. He listens to right-wing radio and has friends who are hooked on it, and he will ask these very bizarre pointed questions about why Harris/Biden are doing XYZ. And all I can respond with is “They’re not doing that. That’s totally manufactured. Here’s proof.” He’ll acknowledge it. But then he’ll come back a week later with another nonsense allegation.
I want to say “Just Google this shit before you ask”, but then I Google it myself and find a wall of right-wing hysterical talking points based on how my father-in-law phrased the question.
I appreciate you posting that. My late ex fil did the same thing. Had a total conspiracy minded friend. Was always awkward I had to be the one to say “No, Trudeau didn’t do that.”
At least he was nice and respectful about it. My cousins on the other hand… well, I get very high at family gatherings now.
The best way to counter such stuff - instead of disagreeing right away and making their defenses pop up, just ask them where the facts are for the claim. If they say it’s something they heard or read, ask where those sources got their info. Letting them dig further helps to show how valid or invalid what they say might be, it might plant a bit of doubt for the next time they run across something that is designed to be accepted without evidence. Maybe. I mean, that’s all we can do really, help them be more critical thinking, even if by accident.
The problem with this approach is that it requires critical thinking.
If they “see it on the internet on Jimbo’s blog” they believe that is equally believable to “its posted on nasa.gov”. I attribute some of this to technology getting really good at some things that it makes those that don’t know how technology works that other unbelievable things are also real.
Exactly how it went the first time someone mentioned springfield ohio to me