Also bots. There to sway public opinion.

Mostly not hostile, but, it’s the internet. If these were face to face conversations things would play out differently.

Granted, I’ve blocked every sub that’s consistently rabid.

There are posh producers who do 100% freeze dried meat pet food and treats. Even so, probably not something you want or need in your body.

Life is unaffordable because of them and now they’re crying about a lack of consumers to buy their stuff.

Middle class exists only by virtue of subsidies. It was an artificial creation invoked by FDR. Then Reagan started a destruction of the middle class that never ended with him. And now we are here.

That’s what Elon does already.

The majority of people don’t like to lead. It’s simply easier and more comfortable to follow. Less conflict. Less confrontation. Less stress.

Leading requires initiative, the capacity to be confrontational, to step outside the box. It’s rather opposite of what is known as the bandwagon effect. Most people cannot do any of that without feeling extremely self conscious or anxious. Or, without being obnoxious and off-putting. You not only have to be able to function separate, you have to do it without annoying the fuck out of those around you.

Effective leadership also requires the capacity for some degree of speed. Some problems cannot wait for debate due to safety.

The bandwagon effect is a fun bit of study. What’s even better is the majority of people believe it doesn’t hold sway over them when the data shows that it absolutely does, something like 70-80%. It’s why, in part, so much money is thrown at AI and bots on social media, especially pre elections.

This appears to be a long but solid definition of it, with some easy bullet points: https://www.researchprospect.com/what-is-the-bandwagon-effect/

There’s also a reverse bandwagon effect, for, you know, the cool people.

Those random, public space cameras with the little solar panel and the blue flashing light in parking lots and such.

Accessing for crime data is supposedly what they’re used for, but some of these guys are accessing to stalk ex wives, girlfriends, or “love” interests.

It’s so hard to fathom this dependency as a Xennial who did multiple degrees without cheating. I’m not fond of multiple guess tests but not everything can be an essay test. Even so, either is good.

Then, this week, I saw this posting re kids in school not being able to read, more so than usual. Reading a paragraph is teachers “asking too much” and more to that effect. I’m sitting on that line we’ve been in when you hear a batshit post about Trump and initially think, no, no one is that…and then acknowledge that it could be true.

If true, the AI dependency is not surprising.

You need another YouTube. Free for anyone to post, the same volume, the same storage. Nebula is elite and paid. You and I can’t post on it. The others I’ve seen contain a handful of conspiracy theorists and Linux people.

Not sure why they’re idiots, trying to go the non-sub option is smart, doesn’t vote for subs. Microsoft is the asshole here.

I believe that regarding our politicians. But I’m talking about the lobby that pushed the bill.

No. I think a chunk of this is aimed at open source.

Damn, Canada, Palantir owns your government too.