Great column and stay safe! The disinformation was something I immediately took note of. The horrifying Tumbler Ridge killings coverage were just filled with AI generated video and images. Lots. Lots and Lots. Even journalists tweeted false information. No clue how to fix this other than perhaps a Carrington Event that fries all the electronics and sends us back to 1859.
Misinformation on social media can be an issue. But in the case of Tumbler Ridge, social media posts were the only way a crucial fact - that the shooter was a male who identified as a woman - came to light.
I enjoyed the article. I just want to express my disagreement with the conclusion and give my take.
We all feel that knee jerk reaction sometimes - “the government needs to step in!”, but after ten years of liberals, I’m totally against this. It will take extreme amounts of convincing to get me to a point where I would agree that the government’s purview should expand
Better solution: stick to reputable institutions (which could include substacks or YouTube channels) rather “bushwhacking” yourself without a guide. You’re not a journalist. You have no expertise in getting the truth. Stay in your lane. Pay for valuable service.
Consumers seeking information will figure it out. If somebody dies in the meantime, that’s fine. People die due to myriad factors. The world isn’t “safe”. Anyone who struggles with this notion needs to grow up and take responsibility.
Anyone who is bothered by having had this experience - drowning in clickbait - should be searching now for those institutions that stayed faithful. If I’m going to Mexico next month, where should I get my news? A little bit of cultural evolution here will be sufficient, imo.
Giving the government the authority to decide what is true is only a good idea where the government has a lengthy demonstrated commitment to that. Which I'm not sure any government has demonstrated yet, ever, in history. Maybe Gorbachev, and that's rather a unique context.
Excellent column Thanks to the author and The Line for getting this published in such a timely manner. Will keep the advice in this column in mind in day to day life but especially when traveling
"Disinformation needs to be addressed " is where the problem starts: western Govts have turned it into an art form and suggesting they are the ones to fix it is just inviting the fox into the hen house. Your first and best defense is believing nothing you read on social media until you can authenticate for yourself. I consider social media as entertainment first and as authentic somewhere down the line. It is the territory of bots, trolls and special interest orgs and if they can't be bothered to post their real names I give their posts zero credibility on face value.
Lots of smoke plumes....tourists safe...but the disinformation!!....no mention of the dozens of assassinations/murders of Mexican law enforcement officers. What order there is in PV is due to the residual effectiveness of law enforcement people. Otherwise the cartel drug gangs and mafia would be running amuck unrestricted. The author can enjoy his all inclusive benefits at a luxury resort seemingly oblivious to the sacrifices of those trying to maintain a civil society operating with laws.
Great column and stay safe! The disinformation was something I immediately took note of. The horrifying Tumbler Ridge killings coverage were just filled with AI generated video and images. Lots. Lots and Lots. Even journalists tweeted false information. No clue how to fix this other than perhaps a Carrington Event that fries all the electronics and sends us back to 1859.
Misinformation on social media can be an issue. But in the case of Tumbler Ridge, social media posts were the only way a crucial fact - that the shooter was a male who identified as a woman - came to light.
Why is that a "crucial fact"?
We are in dark times.
I enjoyed the article. I just want to express my disagreement with the conclusion and give my take.
We all feel that knee jerk reaction sometimes - “the government needs to step in!”, but after ten years of liberals, I’m totally against this. It will take extreme amounts of convincing to get me to a point where I would agree that the government’s purview should expand
Better solution: stick to reputable institutions (which could include substacks or YouTube channels) rather “bushwhacking” yourself without a guide. You’re not a journalist. You have no expertise in getting the truth. Stay in your lane. Pay for valuable service.
Consumers seeking information will figure it out. If somebody dies in the meantime, that’s fine. People die due to myriad factors. The world isn’t “safe”. Anyone who struggles with this notion needs to grow up and take responsibility.
Anyone who is bothered by having had this experience - drowning in clickbait - should be searching now for those institutions that stayed faithful. If I’m going to Mexico next month, where should I get my news? A little bit of cultural evolution here will be sufficient, imo.
Giving the government the authority to decide what is true is only a good idea where the government has a lengthy demonstrated commitment to that. Which I'm not sure any government has demonstrated yet, ever, in history. Maybe Gorbachev, and that's rather a unique context.
Excellent column Thanks to the author and The Line for getting this published in such a timely manner. Will keep the advice in this column in mind in day to day life but especially when traveling
"Disinformation needs to be addressed " is where the problem starts: western Govts have turned it into an art form and suggesting they are the ones to fix it is just inviting the fox into the hen house. Your first and best defense is believing nothing you read on social media until you can authenticate for yourself. I consider social media as entertainment first and as authentic somewhere down the line. It is the territory of bots, trolls and special interest orgs and if they can't be bothered to post their real names I give their posts zero credibility on face value.
Thank you. Sad situation. Was so nice to vacation in Mexico to avoid the USA. Seems like that will be off the list for a while.
Great advice and a compelling description of what really happened in Mexico! Thank you!
Lots of smoke plumes....tourists safe...but the disinformation!!....no mention of the dozens of assassinations/murders of Mexican law enforcement officers. What order there is in PV is due to the residual effectiveness of law enforcement people. Otherwise the cartel drug gangs and mafia would be running amuck unrestricted. The author can enjoy his all inclusive benefits at a luxury resort seemingly oblivious to the sacrifices of those trying to maintain a civil society operating with laws.