Author Topic: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment  (Read 1085 times)

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Offline cybercoma

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Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« on: December 05, 2019, 01:43:59 pm »
This is a long article but it’s well worth the read to see how the alt-right has been able to recruit young people who then spread their propaganda.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90438818/i-became-part-of-the-alt-right-at-age-13-thanks-to-reddit-and-google?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

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Offline Granny

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #1 on: December 06, 2019, 01:07:15 pm »
This is a long article but it’s well worth the read to see how the alt-right has been able to recruit young people who then spread their propaganda.

https://www.fastcompany.com/90438818/i-became-part-of-the-alt-right-at-age-13-thanks-to-reddit-and-google?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf

It's scary that Google takes no responsibility for the effects of their algorithms.
I think I see a potential lawsuit there, backed by internet search history. I hope so.
Parents should be very concerned.

Offline ?Impact

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #2 on: December 06, 2019, 02:26:04 pm »
It's scary that Google takes no responsibility for the effects of their algorithms.

The Google algorithm simply amplifies society. Perhaps we all need to start taking responsibility.

Offline Granny

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #3 on: December 06, 2019, 02:33:14 pm »
The Google algorithm simply amplifies society. Perhaps we all need to start taking responsibility.
Adults, perhaps, though those of limited abilities are much more vulnerable to Google's algorithms and profit motive.
I think Google needs to take some responsibility when it comes to manipulating kids into hateful and possible murderous activities.

It's a tough problem, and I hope we do see some improvement somehow.

Offline Queefer Sutherland

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #4 on: December 06, 2019, 06:02:17 pm »
Reddit and google didn't fail this kid, his parents did.  My 13-year old son wouldn't have private internet access where he could browse to his heart's content, that's just irresponsible parenting given the wild west of the internet.  I'd have a desktop in the middle of the living room so there was no privacy to read/view whatever he wanted.

30-35 years ago conservative parents wanted record companies to be more responsible for the music that was recorded and wanted music censored because of misogynist, profane, violent, sexual music content etc.  This argument extended into video games, TV, comic books etc. The left-wing argument was that artists should be free from censorship and parents should be more responsible for looking at the entertainment content of what their kids are exposed to.  A compromise was a ratings system for music and video games that would ensure artistic expression but give parents better tools for choosing content for children.

Now the opposite is happening where many left-wing people want offensive things censored and conservatives are defending artistic expression and free speech.  Funny how it completely flipped.  It was also the case where older people tended to do the censoring and the younger were defending free speech/artistic expression, now it's the opposite.
"Nipples is one of the great minds of our time!" - Bubbermiley
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Offline Queefer Sutherland

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #5 on: December 06, 2019, 06:05:03 pm »
It's clear from the article that this kid was and still is not intelligent enough to understand the content of what he's viewing.  Where's his parents in all of this?  Bringing him to Trump rallies, are you serious?
"Nipples is one of the great minds of our time!" - Bubbermiley

Offline Michael Hardner

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2019, 07:47:36 am »
I am too afraid to click on this, having an infant son.

I will say this - a very good friend of mine who is my age has been "turned" by these alt-right ideas.  On one level it makes sense because:

-although having a university education, he was quite naive and unworldly
-always was susceptible to persuasion, pushy salespeople etc.
-was never raised to understand how our political & knowledge & media institutions work

I remember this because during the gulf war he was surprised when I told him we weren't going to be conscripted to go over.  We were university graduates working at professional jobs at the time.  He also expected that Iraq would be attacking all the countries in the UN coalition.

Democracy has never been 100% inclusive, but it was designed to work for non-partipants, and marginalized folks by having them represented by others in their representative groups. 

Offline Granny

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2019, 11:25:47 am »
Reddit and google didn't fail this kid, his parents did.  My 13-year old son wouldn't have private internet access where he could browse to his heart's content, that's just irresponsible parenting given the wild west of the internet.  I'd have a desktop in the middle of the living room so there was no privacy to read/view whatever he wanted.

30-35 years ago conservative parents wanted record companies to be more responsible for the music that was recorded and wanted music censored because of misogynist, profane, violent, sexual music content etc.  This argument extended into video games, TV, comic books etc. The left-wing argument was that artists should be free from censorship and parents should be more responsible for looking at the entertainment content of what their kids are exposed to.  A compromise was a ratings system for music and video games that would ensure artistic expression but give parents better tools for choosing content for children.

Now the opposite is happening where many left-wing people want offensive things censored and conservatives are defending artistic expression and free speech.  Funny how it completely flipped.  It was also the case where older people tended to do the censoring and the younger were defending free speech/artistic expression, now it's the opposite.

White supremacist fake news and lies could never be construed as "artistic expression".  Lol

A rating system would be good, but I wonder if that is even possible for internet sites?

Offline wilber

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2019, 11:31:06 am »

Google can't claim immunity from what they allow others to post on their platforms. I don't have a problem with them being held accountable.
"Never trust a man without a single redeeming vice" WSC
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Offline Granny

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #9 on: December 07, 2019, 12:16:24 pm »
Reddit and google didn't fail this kid, his parents did.  My 13-year old son wouldn't have private internet access where he could browse to his heart's content, that's just irresponsible parenting given the wild west of the internet.  I'd have a desktop in the middle of the living room so there was no privacy to read/view whatever he wanted.

30-35 years ago conservative parents wanted record companies to be more responsible for the music that was recorded and wanted music censored because of misogynist, profane, violent, sexual music content etc.  This argument extended into video games, TV, comic books etc. The left-wing argument was that artists should be free from censorship and parents should be more responsible for looking at the entertainment content of what their kids are exposed to.  A compromise was a ratings system for music and video games that would ensure artistic expression but give parents better tools for choosing content for children.

Now the opposite is happening where many left-wing people want offensive things censored and conservatives are defending artistic expression and free speech.  Funny how it completely flipped.  It was also the case where older people tended to do the censoring and the younger were defending free speech/artistic expression, now it's the opposite.

I think you should actually read the article before bashing his parents, and the embedded linked article written by his mother.
https://www.washingtonian.com/2019/05/05/what-happened-after-my-13-year-old-son-joined-the-alt-right/

His parents were aware of what he was doing. It's a matter of how they dealt with it:
A punitive approach could have the opposite effect and drive him farther down the rabbit hole.
I applaud their strength and courage.

Going with him to the Trump rally was exactly the right thing to do.

However, I still believe that some form of age appropriate rating system could help. We do it for books, games, and films ... why not the internet?
« Last Edit: December 07, 2019, 12:32:33 pm by Granny »

Offline ?Impact

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #10 on: December 07, 2019, 02:22:02 pm »
However, I still believe that some form of age appropriate rating system could help. We do it for books, games, and films ... why not the internet?

Unfortunately it is almost impossible to implement such a thing. A perfect example is youtube. They have tried, and keep trying, but there is simply no way to keep up with the volume and diversity.

Offline wilber

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #11 on: December 07, 2019, 04:24:11 pm »
Unfortunately it is almost impossible to implement such a thing. A perfect example is youtube. They have tried, and keep trying, but there is simply no way to keep up with the volume and diversity.

Sure they can, they control their content.
"Never trust a man without a single redeeming vice" WSC

Offline Queefer Sutherland

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #12 on: December 07, 2019, 05:49:21 pm »
Google can't claim immunity from what they allow others to post on their platforms. I don't have a problem with them being held accountable.

What do you censor then though, and who decides it?  I think sites like Twitter and Facebook should allow anything unless it's illegal, but that's just my opinion.  Harassment is illegal, for example, and so is wishing group X or Y "be killed off" etc. or any threat of violence  Planning terrorism, whether from arab or white radicals, should also not be allowed.

The internet has a ridiculous amount of stuff that isn't meant for kids or teens.  We don't want to start burning books.
"Nipples is one of the great minds of our time!" - Bubbermiley

Offline wilber

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #13 on: December 07, 2019, 05:57:39 pm »
What do you censor then though, and who decides it?  I think sites like Twitter and Facebook should allow anything unless it's illegal, but that's just my opinion.  Harassment is illegal, for example, and so is wishing group X or Y "be killed off" etc. or any threat of violence  Planning terrorism, whether from arab or white radicals, should also not be allowed.

The internet has a ridiculous amount of stuff that isn't meant for kids or teens.  We don't want to start burning books.

What they censor is up to them. There is no law that says any of these platforms have to post anything or allow unrestricted free speech. They are responsible for what appears on their websites. If they happen to get their asses sued off because of something they allowed, that's only fair..
"Never trust a man without a single redeeming vice" WSC

Offline Granny

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Re: Insidiousness of Alt-Right Recruitment
« Reply #14 on: December 08, 2019, 11:48:45 am »
What do you censor then though, and who decides it?  I think sites like Twitter and Facebook should allow anything unless it's illegal, but that's just my opinion.  Harassment is illegal, for example, and so is wishing group X or Y "be killed off" etc. or any threat of violence  Planning terrorism, whether from arab or white radicals, should also not be allowed.

The internet has a ridiculous amount of stuff that isn't meant for kids or teens.  We don't want to start burning books.

Would it not be possible to have a rating system like for films? (X, R, PG, etc)