I hope everyone who reads this heavy, but important post goes for a walk, pets a dog, drinks an icecoffee, watches a light movie, just does something that's really nice, because this stuff is heave, insane, horrible, disheartening, violent, dangerous, awful and something that can cause you to go into a dark place in your mind. I am not joking, go do something nice for yourself, turn off your phone and try not to think about this shit place for a while. It's easier than ever to be confronted with how terrible the world can be, but it isn't all so bad.
Also listen to NIN, but maybe not Year Zero right now...
Never underestimate how click bait-y and engagement driven these posts are too. If you take a cursory look at someone like Pete Evan's Instagram page, he has content broken into a few broad groups. I think of it as food stuff, personal stuff and conspiracy stuff.
The engagement on his conspiracy stuff is UNREAL compared to all his other content... I doubt I'm the only person who has noticed, and I'm convinced a lot of these influencers are just jumping on the bandwagon for the eyeballs.
I'm not sure what's worse to be honest. Is it better to spread this shit because you genuinely believe in it or because you're cold-bloodedly taking advantage of a cohort of gullible people?
2020 has been insane. I don't like having to wear a mask, but if it keeps one person from getting sick/dying, I'm all for it. I am so tired of people's selfishness/the way that they're acting. Stay safe and healthy, David!
Always good to tantrum 'you're all a bunch of pussies!' about 'doilies' as you're being lifted up and carried out without resistance. How many incidents happened before the son realised the best way to do it was lift and carry because the father was definately resigned to the fact it was happening.
Have they decided Auckland have the mysterious underground tunnels yet?
Love the way he just got picked up. Feet off the ground. Genuine laugh out loud moment. I am open to the idea it was staged as the ending was just too perfect - but yeah, 'Merica, huh?
And I have ZERO doubt that in multiple closed FB groups in NZ there is discussion going on about children locked in Auckland's underground tunnel system.
I guess they'd be more concentrated on all the rich guys bunkers tunnels...all the way to auckland. Would love to know their reasons for going back to stage 3. Not thorough enough searching to the tunnels to go back into stage 3?
Always think of you guys being much more sensible than the rest of us.
But then I didn't think the tunnel thing would be believed in Melbourne, but here we are with 'dan Andrews is a clone and real one is in gitmo'.
It feels like I’m seeing more and more people on my feeds that subscribe to this particular brand of bullshit, and now even family and friends IRL. At work this morning, while we were putting things together to work from home for level 3, one of my workmates mentioned that she reckons the government had to know this was coming, since it was only in the last week that they’ve been telling people of get masks in case we go back up the alert levels. I had no idea what to even say - it’s just so ridiculous to me that someone so educated and intelligent could think that the government was “being shady” and “knew more than they were letting on”. Makes me nervous that she’s on a slippery slope...
This was all over my instagram feed this morning - friend who had never shown any inclination towards conspiracy theories were posting this shit in their stories. "Just asking questions". I'm trying to follow the advice you've shared for engaging with them because as much as I want to run screaming for the hills, ignoring it is probably more dangerous at this point. 2020 hey? What a time.
I very lightly participated in the ARG for AI back in the day. I didn't get very far and I ended up receiving email updates from The Cloudmakers Yahoo group for at least ten years after the film was released. The good old days before we all knew that AICN was run by an entitled pervert, although he pretty much told us so on a daily basis through his "writing".
Sunk Cost Fallacy should be taught to kids in school, of course it would cause a lot of them to go home and give their parents the third degree over their own belief systems but in the long run it would prevent a lot of people from getting too far into this type of thinking.
I’m always surprised at how often I see the influencer conspiracy nonsense despite having only a very select circle of friends/family online. Somehow it still invades my feeds through “popular posts on this platform” and the like. I think that’s the scariest part for me - how far reaching and all encompassing it is. Anyway, stay safe David! I just put 2 metre distancing tape all around my workplace here in Christchurch. Sending all the thoughts to Auckland x
Your posting of Tucson truly brought me home. I live in Arizona and the amount of unruly anti-maskers and QAnon are unbelievable. You drive down 20min from where I live and there’s these traumatically racist signs like “commie virus” or “Kung-fu-19” and I can’t begin to thing how tragic it might be to simply be “medically incapable” of wearing a mask. (These folks are more than capable, OR could very well choose to stay home like I do.)
I send my time so desperately wishing that 2020 was just some alternate reality or some VR game I could simply turn off.
What is it about Tucson, AZ do you think? It's a part of the USA I've never been to. I assume it's quite republican and religious, would I be right? (I am often wrong, so just tell me!)
Arizona is strange. Very red state often populated by “snowbirds” because older people hate the cold and would rather spend their time in 120 degrees (apparently). Which, older population gives more of an “old school” outlet for lack of kinder words. But yes, republican and religious. I would like you to know that I live on the Colorado River (Bullhead City). Our governor decided to only shut down river on WEEKENDS. They left the river access primarily open because our livelihood as a city rests within sports and water tourism. Arizona is truly a mess all around.
(Is locals have been morbidly joking that the virus takes the weekends off.) Plus, it’s a lot of Californians coming down because of their lockdown and AZ isn’t as strict.
I think alternate reality is the best way to put this type of thinking. Same way I’ve felt having been in quarantine since March. I see people I know in other states going about their business as usual while I’ve been trying to be responsible by staying inside. Truly feels like we’re living in separate worlds.
The biggest thing that bothers me is just how *smug* they are about being completely, objectively, provably wrong.
It's a huge eye opener seeing things like the Tucson man. It feels so removed from the world I live in. My first instinct is to be angry about it, but I think (and this might be from reading your chat with Travis View) it's mostly pity. Pity that he's foolish enough to get caught up so deep in the conspiracy that it makes him act like a toddler. But still angry, because people like him lack the ability (or is it just willingness?) to think about their actions. It doesn't matter what you believe, it's never ok or normal to abuse someone just going about their day. How do you get to that point?
Also a big fan of Rob Sheridan's work, excited to see his perspective here.
The last point about believing all conspiracy theories reminded me of the flat earth doco. A few people on that talked about getting into flat earth through other conspiracies. Have to wonder what the cross pollination between flat earth and Qanon is.
Yeah - you believe one, you believe all. Flat earthers also mostly all Christians, too. And again - not saying all Christians are flat earthers (they definitely aren't) but there is this amazing line between brains that are into one thing and brains that embrace another thing. Fascinating. Weird. And a major bummer for the Christians are haven't thrown all logic out the window.
I hope everyone who reads this heavy, but important post goes for a walk, pets a dog, drinks an icecoffee, watches a light movie, just does something that's really nice, because this stuff is heave, insane, horrible, disheartening, violent, dangerous, awful and something that can cause you to go into a dark place in your mind. I am not joking, go do something nice for yourself, turn off your phone and try not to think about this shit place for a while. It's easier than ever to be confronted with how terrible the world can be, but it isn't all so bad.
Also listen to NIN, but maybe not Year Zero right now...
Agree RE: the walks and patting animals. I do it at least twice a day. I have to. We all do.
Never underestimate how click bait-y and engagement driven these posts are too. If you take a cursory look at someone like Pete Evan's Instagram page, he has content broken into a few broad groups. I think of it as food stuff, personal stuff and conspiracy stuff.
The engagement on his conspiracy stuff is UNREAL compared to all his other content... I doubt I'm the only person who has noticed, and I'm convinced a lot of these influencers are just jumping on the bandwagon for the eyeballs.
I'm not sure what's worse to be honest. Is it better to spread this shit because you genuinely believe in it or because you're cold-bloodedly taking advantage of a cohort of gullible people?
Very good point. I feel the grifter rate is fairly high.
2020 has been insane. I don't like having to wear a mask, but if it keeps one person from getting sick/dying, I'm all for it. I am so tired of people's selfishness/the way that they're acting. Stay safe and healthy, David!
Thanks for not being a selfish asshole, Tyler. You're cool. x
Always good to tantrum 'you're all a bunch of pussies!' about 'doilies' as you're being lifted up and carried out without resistance. How many incidents happened before the son realised the best way to do it was lift and carry because the father was definately resigned to the fact it was happening.
Have they decided Auckland have the mysterious underground tunnels yet?
Love the way he just got picked up. Feet off the ground. Genuine laugh out loud moment. I am open to the idea it was staged as the ending was just too perfect - but yeah, 'Merica, huh?
And I have ZERO doubt that in multiple closed FB groups in NZ there is discussion going on about children locked in Auckland's underground tunnel system.
So much indignation he went into manniquin-mode.
I guess they'd be more concentrated on all the rich guys bunkers tunnels...all the way to auckland. Would love to know their reasons for going back to stage 3. Not thorough enough searching to the tunnels to go back into stage 3?
Always think of you guys being much more sensible than the rest of us.
But then I didn't think the tunnel thing would be believed in Melbourne, but here we are with 'dan Andrews is a clone and real one is in gitmo'.
Just when I think I’ve had enough, I always find solace in your words David. Thanks.
Also, I couldn’t picture that mommy blogger having a Kiwi accent, so I defaulted to her having an American Midwest accent.
Thanks, Charlie. And yeah — ha! Somehow she felt more “mom” than “mum”!
It feels like I’m seeing more and more people on my feeds that subscribe to this particular brand of bullshit, and now even family and friends IRL. At work this morning, while we were putting things together to work from home for level 3, one of my workmates mentioned that she reckons the government had to know this was coming, since it was only in the last week that they’ve been telling people of get masks in case we go back up the alert levels. I had no idea what to even say - it’s just so ridiculous to me that someone so educated and intelligent could think that the government was “being shady” and “knew more than they were letting on”. Makes me nervous that she’s on a slippery slope...
This was all over my instagram feed this morning - friend who had never shown any inclination towards conspiracy theories were posting this shit in their stories. "Just asking questions". I'm trying to follow the advice you've shared for engaging with them because as much as I want to run screaming for the hills, ignoring it is probably more dangerous at this point. 2020 hey? What a time.
It’s... fucking tough. Hang in there. x
I very lightly participated in the ARG for AI back in the day. I didn't get very far and I ended up receiving email updates from The Cloudmakers Yahoo group for at least ten years after the film was released. The good old days before we all knew that AICN was run by an entitled pervert, although he pretty much told us so on a daily basis through his "writing".
Sunk Cost Fallacy should be taught to kids in school, of course it would cause a lot of them to go home and give their parents the third degree over their own belief systems but in the long run it would prevent a lot of people from getting too far into this type of thinking.
I’m always surprised at how often I see the influencer conspiracy nonsense despite having only a very select circle of friends/family online. Somehow it still invades my feeds through “popular posts on this platform” and the like. I think that’s the scariest part for me - how far reaching and all encompassing it is. Anyway, stay safe David! I just put 2 metre distancing tape all around my workplace here in Christchurch. Sending all the thoughts to Auckland x
Good stuff. It’s not just an Auckland issue - so thanks for understanding that! Kia kaha x
Your posting of Tucson truly brought me home. I live in Arizona and the amount of unruly anti-maskers and QAnon are unbelievable. You drive down 20min from where I live and there’s these traumatically racist signs like “commie virus” or “Kung-fu-19” and I can’t begin to thing how tragic it might be to simply be “medically incapable” of wearing a mask. (These folks are more than capable, OR could very well choose to stay home like I do.)
I send my time so desperately wishing that 2020 was just some alternate reality or some VR game I could simply turn off.
Anyways, great read.
What is it about Tucson, AZ do you think? It's a part of the USA I've never been to. I assume it's quite republican and religious, would I be right? (I am often wrong, so just tell me!)
Arizona is strange. Very red state often populated by “snowbirds” because older people hate the cold and would rather spend their time in 120 degrees (apparently). Which, older population gives more of an “old school” outlet for lack of kinder words. But yes, republican and religious. I would like you to know that I live on the Colorado River (Bullhead City). Our governor decided to only shut down river on WEEKENDS. They left the river access primarily open because our livelihood as a city rests within sports and water tourism. Arizona is truly a mess all around.
(Is locals have been morbidly joking that the virus takes the weekends off.) Plus, it’s a lot of Californians coming down because of their lockdown and AZ isn’t as strict.
I'm getting a headache from shaking my head. Hell is other people...
Stay safe and sane, everyone.
Same back at you, Sara.
I think alternate reality is the best way to put this type of thinking. Same way I’ve felt having been in quarantine since March. I see people I know in other states going about their business as usual while I’ve been trying to be responsible by staying inside. Truly feels like we’re living in separate worlds.
The biggest thing that bothers me is just how *smug* they are about being completely, objectively, provably wrong.
It's a huge eye opener seeing things like the Tucson man. It feels so removed from the world I live in. My first instinct is to be angry about it, but I think (and this might be from reading your chat with Travis View) it's mostly pity. Pity that he's foolish enough to get caught up so deep in the conspiracy that it makes him act like a toddler. But still angry, because people like him lack the ability (or is it just willingness?) to think about their actions. It doesn't matter what you believe, it's never ok or normal to abuse someone just going about their day. How do you get to that point?
Also a big fan of Rob Sheridan's work, excited to see his perspective here.
The last point about believing all conspiracy theories reminded me of the flat earth doco. A few people on that talked about getting into flat earth through other conspiracies. Have to wonder what the cross pollination between flat earth and Qanon is.
Yeah - you believe one, you believe all. Flat earthers also mostly all Christians, too. And again - not saying all Christians are flat earthers (they definitely aren't) but there is this amazing line between brains that are into one thing and brains that embrace another thing. Fascinating. Weird. And a major bummer for the Christians are haven't thrown all logic out the window.
Bit of a read for me that one, too much. 2020 be a hell of a ride!
Yeah, it's a lot. I promise some light Webworms will be on the way, one day... ;)