Should PF mods be responsible for stopping COVID misinformation?<<MOD WARNING>>

No. The mods should be responsible for enforcing the published rules. This is a discussion forum, it is the job of the PARTICIPANTS to call out misinformation.

 

Having taken debate classes in college, what we do here at PF is not really debate in the traditional sense of the word. We discuss things here, and IMO that's good.

There are too many examples in the last several decades of conspiracy theory turning out (with the passage of time) to be conspiracy fact.

Like it or not, youtube videos offer many examples of providing alternative views that turn out to be the accurate view, as opposed to the tripe and propaganda offered by mainstream media.

In the end, you are suggesting that somebody be the censor, the arbiter of truth. You are suggesting we need a Ministry of Truth.

That is a slippery slope.

 

I think you need to make your own determination as to what is truth and what is lies and what is misunderstood and etc within whatever someone decides to post... Freedom of speech is a beautiful thing (that the political left unfortunately wishes to destroy). That freedom includes the freedom to lie and the freedom to misinform. It is up to YOU to determine for yourself what is the truth and what is not.

Why do you wish to give up your power to do that?

Personally, I judge sources by their adherence to things such as logic, science, mathematics, engineering, history, etymology, and etc...

 

Fine by me. One has every right to dismiss a source that they don't like for one reason or another.

I, for one, do not accept Wikipedia as a source of anything. Wikipedia cannot be used as a source with me. I also dismiss livescience.com on sight, among MANY others... They all are much too often incomplete, misleading, or just plain wrong.

I do, however, accept logic, science, mathematics, engineering, history, ... ... as sources (among others).

As far as I am concerned, we already have standards for that... We call them logic, mathematics, and science. Unfortunately, many people today are not well studied on any of these...

 

That's unfortunately a limitation of an online forum (such as this one). That is also a limitation of communicating via text messages and emails. That's also one of many reasons why I am against mandated mask wearing (it removes facial expressions and lip reading, both of which are a VERY important part of communication).

We already have logic, mathematics, and science as "standards" (and sources). What you are asking for already exists. You seem to be wishing to replace these "standards" with something else, such as the opinions of Big Tech executives...

 

This isn't a term paper, this is a free and open forum(within the TOS) and it should remain that way. The idea that we can simply blot out ignorance is respectfully naive. Take as an example the Milwaukee Bonfire Princess. I knew she was full of it, laughably so. This was because I discerned fact from fiction. We should promote critical thinking and discernment that's the best disinfectant of fake news.

 

Not a ministry of truth, but a reviewer of standards for acceptable sources, namely have one. One of the reasons for those 'conspiracy theories' coming true or false is because people weren't using good standards. Vaccines cause autism? A guy failed to disclose information and that got him disbarred. All I'm saying is we adopt some of those standards. The other day someone posted a thread about how expensive airplanes are in one airport. No source, nothing to back up their claim. Wouldn't it be nice to label that as a conspiracy theory until evidence came in? You're right, we discuss things rather than debate. They're more emoting opinions than actual ideas. That's fine. If you genuinely think that this will impede emoting, I will take that as a serious argument. I want to make sure that's what you're getting at first before I go forward.

Coherence theory of truth. Already have it. Kinda like Linda Alcoff.

As for freedom of Speech? Canada, UK, France, Germany, lots of other countries have free speech and they have protections in place. Heck, if we apply the standard of free speech in the US to PF, then you don't have an argument. Because if you're saying we need to have the freedom to lie/ misinform that's flaming or trolling. Those are bannable offenses according to PF.

Sure, whatever you need to tell yourself. What are you an electrician? Engineer of some sort?

Yeah I think this post shows how you're limited in scientific understanding. I think I figured out what the actual problem is with my suggestion. You wouldn't be able to post if the proposed standard went into effect. I think Eluthera might have an important point. So I will ask you a simple question. Why should you be allowed to voice your opinion? None of that "it's free speech" argument. I want to know. What do you genuinely have to offer to discussions?

Right, all I'm saying is that we need to have some sort of standard for figuring out what is fake news. Some sort of objective standard PF uses for determining the value of sources. Not a complicated one, just one you would expect to get at a regular library. For example, .com isn't as trustworthy as .org usually. I'm not suggesting to ban people who use bad sources, but remind them that they need to use some sort of standard for what is acceptable sources to use in discussions.

 

Not a terrible outcome.

 

Those countries do not have freedom of speech. The former USA (now the SOA) will no longer have it either (it has already been vastly eroded).

I am an Accountant. I specialize in Accounts Receivable.

I know precisely what science is and how it works. Do you?

Before I answer that question, I will ask you the same question... Why should YOU be allowed to voice YOUR opinion?? If you have no answer to that, then I won't bother with giving you an answer either.

You can look at my post history to see precisely what I offer to discussions. I have dropped lots of useful knowledge upon this forum over my time here. I have thoroughly explained what science and religion are and how they work (and the logical framework that they make use of). I have explained why "global warming" via "greenhouse effect" is not possible (and how it denies logic, science, and mathematics. I have explained precisely why it is not possible to determine the temperature of the Earth via our current instrumentation infrastructure. I have explained precisely why a lot of beliefs that people claim are "science" are actually religion. I have explained precisely why mask wearing, social distancing, plastic wrapping, economic shutdowns, and etc do not stop nor do they prevent the spread of viruses. And on and on and on... I have contributed A LOT of useful information during my time here. Not to toot my own horn or anything, but I'm just being honest about my history here...

Logic, science, and mathematics are a good start.

 

and here you are, citing examples where your opinion is the truth. If you keep voting Democrat, do not worry, we will soon have a ministry of truth. Perhaps that would then make you happy, until you realize that "ministries of truth" are nothing more than propaganda. By then it would be too late. Democrat votes will reduce your liberties and freedoms

 

I know what you mean by "emoting". I like that word and concept, but not many people use it. Emoting instead of thinking is what we've been conditioned to do by mainstream media. The specific emotion is Fear, the foundation of Fauci's efforts.

Do you ever consider thinking for yourself, or do you require 'expert' guidance as to what and how to think?

 

Do you think that you have, by yourself, the knowledge and education to understand epidemiology or other scientific/medical/engineering or any other specialised field of study, or will you defer to the knowledge of others to reach a conclusion?

And if you do use the knowledge of others, will you trust more someone who is reknowned in is field of study or some random guy with a blog that nobody has ever heard of before? Or worst, people that are known for publishing nonsense and conspiracy theories? No need to answer that last one, we know your answer already.

 

Thank you for introducing a topic salient to these times.

To answer your question "What say you?", I don't think that this forum's moderators should be burdened with or responsible for the truthfulness of what individual Posters write on these threads for several reasons:

1. Those of us who read and submit Posts should know better by now not to make life threatening decisions based on what anonymous individuals share or write on a political forum board.

2. As we watch this coronavirus morph and learn more about it, what may be true one day may be false the next day.

3. It is unreasonable to expect those individuals who are kind enough to host this political discussion board to stay current on each and every facet of this ever changing virus.

You're right, Covid misinformation can kill people as can other forms of misinformation but no one that I know relies exclusively on political discussion boards for medical information.

 

That is a good question for a change!

I was in pre-med for 2 years in college, but finished with a degree in English. Then I did 2 years in the Medical Service Corps of the US Army, so I have a foundation in medical arts. I worked as a pharmacist assistant for years in high school and college, so I have a working knowledge of pharmaceuticals.

I like to do my own thinking. I read the thoughts and opinions of many, but I do my own thinking. I've long been a student of human behavior, and psychology and human behavior are my hobbies.

I also pay attention to current events, and with the luxury of 12 months of hindsight, there is no question that infection by this virus is survived by more than 99% of those who get it. For many it is severe, and so far I have avoided it, but I still don't know any friends who have died from it, though I know dozens who had it.

Being a student of human behavior, I know that power corrupts and that humans can be very devious. Anthony Fauci is a perfect example of a devious human. Having spent my fair share of time involved with government bureaucrats, I know they are more interested in the success of their bureau than in many other things in life.

Have you ever tried independent thinking?

 

I do it everyday. You just have to accept that independent thinking isn't the same as informed thinking, and it isn't a proof that your thinking is sound and that your conclusion is valid. This especially true if the sources that you used to independently think and reach a conclusion are invalid. Garbage in/garbage out as they say.

 

that's what traitor trump promotes with yuge bias and been shot full of holes by the credible science community
so he's spent his entire admirable 50yr career doing the best he can to help our country just to trash all that now?
has traitor trump gotten a 100% free pass from you for 5yrs?

 

You do it every day yet still buy into the official narrative?

Somebody here is kidding himself.

 

Thing is, you're not really thinking hard.

You see, while a truthfull person will never tell a lie, a good liar on the other hand will mostly tell the truth and only occasionaly lie, making real hard for you to know what is really true. This is what conspiracy theorist do! Your confirmation bias makes you accept those occasional lies as truth because you really want to believe that theory. They use the work and research of those you don't trust and insert just enough lies to twist the meaning to fit their conspiracy theory and play on your confirmation bias.

If you read the original work that those conspiracy theorist distorted you'll be able to see the mistake you made.

 

Rationalize things as you must sir. Your faith in the dogma and orthodoxy of the Church of The Poisoned Mind is impressive.

 

No actual rebutal, just a demonstration of your fee-fee. I accept your concession. Bye.

 

One cannot rebut the rantings of a true believe in dogma.

 

I accept your concession. Bye!