Great read. I just subscribed to your newsletter and cant wait to see more. I used to follow VFF but stopped when I noticed their movement slowly introducing incendiary, anti-government rhetoric. They, like all cult like movements *do* prey on vulnerable people and I was once that vulnerable person in that vulnerable mindset. David Farrier im curious to know if you would ever write a piece on the more behavioural and social aspects of these communities? It’s almost cult-like, Feverish, frenzied, really high strung atmosphere that’s practically a breeding ground for extremist attitudes and behaviours under the guise of ‘freedom of speech’. The president trump era really radicalised this audience - i know this because i was part of it (no, i dont believe the government is inherently evil and wicked and wants to enslave us all. I believe in questioning things and healthy debate which is what attracted me about those circles in the first place) but it scared me to see how mean, volatile and probably unsafe these people are becoming especially in the last year or so. I began to see it for what it really is - a bunch of enablers, self righteously justifying eachothers bad behaviours. In their quests to ‘protect’ and ‘fight for freedom’, they are enslaving themselves to primitive mindsets with outlandishly, childish actions. Id Love to sit down with you and talk about all of this one fay if you’re ever in Wellington
Kia ora David, Im currently reading The Premonition by Michael Lewis on the pandemic, and in particular the US response (or lack of it, particularly under Trump), it touches on the misinformation spread by business owners during the 1918 Influenza pandemic in the States who were against the social distancing and lockdown measures health officials implemented then, because of the negative impact on their profitability, it also touched on the role of business lobbyists in the current pandemic to influence policy. The last couple of years some revealing details about tobacco giants lobbying the NZ Government and donating to right wing community groups has exposed the role they are playing in NZ. I would not be surprised to see the same dynamics playing out with some of these anti-lockdown groups.
The investigation revealing who and what is behind the fake news here in NZ is much appreciated, even although it both saddens and maddens me. I know the links are with right wing groups in other countries and I would rather know than not know what is happening. I just wish this movement wasn't happening at all but wishes won't make it stop. I'm glad to hear what some leaders think might be a way to prevent people from being brainwashed by this dangerous movement.
Hope you're still enjoying your travels David and I'm very glad you still have your finger on the pulse of NZ politics for us. Thank you.
All of this anti-vax BS being spread around about the Covid vaccines is doing my head in. I've been checking out the Voices For Freedom Facebook page regularly over the last month or so and even attempted to correct some of the misinformation people were posting. It was like beating my head against a brick wall. I've now managed to get myself blocked from the page as VFF obviously don't like people to disagree with them. What is concerning to me is that I've noticed that lately the comments seem to be becoming more and more extreme with many people posting links to Youtube videos about Covid bioweapons and other crazy stuff. They seem to be working each other up into a kind of deluded fervour which VFF is encouraging by giving them a platform to share these ideas and blocking anyone who disagrees. People who've lost the ability to think rationally freak me out a little bit...... On a lighter note, that cake is hilarious, I love it!
I get so mad at these fake news spreaders and their evil shite - coz thats what it is....it puts people's lives at risk and it uses the very people who are likely most at risk against themselves and their own families and communities. SOOOOO mad. I have a friend who recently moved from the US (having been involved quite front line in the BLM), totally emigrated here. Go her! she moved out to the country and was getting nice and settled when an armed offenders squad appeared at the house next door (yep, P lab raid). Her utter horror, though, was reserved for the neighbour across the road who also came out to have a look at what was going on..... A dude with a Trump tattoo on his arm. She was gobsmacked. So am I. WTAF??!!! is wrong with these people!!!!!
The most incredible thing is how goal posts keep moving - "The pope was arrested" when he clearly wasn't or "Children in the basement in the pizza place in D.C." when the place doesn't even have a basement and yet people still believe anything those... fools... say, without questioning at least the "Hang on - you said this and this and nothing was actually true, why should I believe you now?"
I predict Leona is going to grow into a formidable adult! As for the rest of it... sigh... It's an interesting read, but it's made me kinda sad on a Monday morning.
I was particularity struck by the following quote by Efeso Collins: “I’m open to any kind of discussion as long as it’s critical and valid...but if there’s a lack of balance and real thrashing of the issues available to people when they’re watching those conversations it’s of no use really to anyone, all it’s doing really is following the Facebook algorithm and just pushing out what you want to hear.”
I can't really speak for the spread of misinformation in N.Z. but here in Canada there is definitely a ton of misinformation being spread both through social media and, sadly, through people in public leadership positions as well.
There is a particular Member of Parliament who represents the district where I'm from who is notorious for spreading misinformation about COVID. His name is Randy Hillier if you ever see his name pop up in Canada related media/news. It's especially annoying because I occasionally see a select few "friends" on Facebook reposing his garbage statements. I've gotten to a point where it's been so frustrating I have to unfollow and take a break from social media altogether.
However, this has also driven me to do my own research, especially research into how communication technologies influence the way we locate, receive, and redistribute data and the psychology around how we receive media through particular virtual platforms. A term I discovered that I want to look into further is data voids which tend to create echo chambers for users. Perhaps anyone in the Webworm community knows more about this and has some thoughts? I'm still looking into it but this article reminded me about the term and I wanted to share!
Great read. I just subscribed to your newsletter and cant wait to see more. I used to follow VFF but stopped when I noticed their movement slowly introducing incendiary, anti-government rhetoric. They, like all cult like movements *do* prey on vulnerable people and I was once that vulnerable person in that vulnerable mindset. David Farrier im curious to know if you would ever write a piece on the more behavioural and social aspects of these communities? It’s almost cult-like, Feverish, frenzied, really high strung atmosphere that’s practically a breeding ground for extremist attitudes and behaviours under the guise of ‘freedom of speech’. The president trump era really radicalised this audience - i know this because i was part of it (no, i dont believe the government is inherently evil and wicked and wants to enslave us all. I believe in questioning things and healthy debate which is what attracted me about those circles in the first place) but it scared me to see how mean, volatile and probably unsafe these people are becoming especially in the last year or so. I began to see it for what it really is - a bunch of enablers, self righteously justifying eachothers bad behaviours. In their quests to ‘protect’ and ‘fight for freedom’, they are enslaving themselves to primitive mindsets with outlandishly, childish actions. Id Love to sit down with you and talk about all of this one fay if you’re ever in Wellington
When I saw the cake I thought it was another example of fake news. I'm glad to know the cake is not a lie.
Kia ora David, Im currently reading The Premonition by Michael Lewis on the pandemic, and in particular the US response (or lack of it, particularly under Trump), it touches on the misinformation spread by business owners during the 1918 Influenza pandemic in the States who were against the social distancing and lockdown measures health officials implemented then, because of the negative impact on their profitability, it also touched on the role of business lobbyists in the current pandemic to influence policy. The last couple of years some revealing details about tobacco giants lobbying the NZ Government and donating to right wing community groups has exposed the role they are playing in NZ. I would not be surprised to see the same dynamics playing out with some of these anti-lockdown groups.
The cake photo was fun.
The investigation revealing who and what is behind the fake news here in NZ is much appreciated, even although it both saddens and maddens me. I know the links are with right wing groups in other countries and I would rather know than not know what is happening. I just wish this movement wasn't happening at all but wishes won't make it stop. I'm glad to hear what some leaders think might be a way to prevent people from being brainwashed by this dangerous movement.
Hope you're still enjoying your travels David and I'm very glad you still have your finger on the pulse of NZ politics for us. Thank you.
All of this anti-vax BS being spread around about the Covid vaccines is doing my head in. I've been checking out the Voices For Freedom Facebook page regularly over the last month or so and even attempted to correct some of the misinformation people were posting. It was like beating my head against a brick wall. I've now managed to get myself blocked from the page as VFF obviously don't like people to disagree with them. What is concerning to me is that I've noticed that lately the comments seem to be becoming more and more extreme with many people posting links to Youtube videos about Covid bioweapons and other crazy stuff. They seem to be working each other up into a kind of deluded fervour which VFF is encouraging by giving them a platform to share these ideas and blocking anyone who disagrees. People who've lost the ability to think rationally freak me out a little bit...... On a lighter note, that cake is hilarious, I love it!
I get so mad at these fake news spreaders and their evil shite - coz thats what it is....it puts people's lives at risk and it uses the very people who are likely most at risk against themselves and their own families and communities. SOOOOO mad. I have a friend who recently moved from the US (having been involved quite front line in the BLM), totally emigrated here. Go her! she moved out to the country and was getting nice and settled when an armed offenders squad appeared at the house next door (yep, P lab raid). Her utter horror, though, was reserved for the neighbour across the road who also came out to have a look at what was going on..... A dude with a Trump tattoo on his arm. She was gobsmacked. So am I. WTAF??!!! is wrong with these people!!!!!
The most incredible thing is how goal posts keep moving - "The pope was arrested" when he clearly wasn't or "Children in the basement in the pizza place in D.C." when the place doesn't even have a basement and yet people still believe anything those... fools... say, without questioning at least the "Hang on - you said this and this and nothing was actually true, why should I believe you now?"
Fools follow cons.
Thank you for yet another great piece of investigation and a damn good read.
That cake is the perfect start to my day thank you. Children who have a black sense of humour are my favourite type of humans 🖤
I predict Leona is going to grow into a formidable adult! As for the rest of it... sigh... It's an interesting read, but it's made me kinda sad on a Monday morning.
Great article, David & Byron.
I was particularity struck by the following quote by Efeso Collins: “I’m open to any kind of discussion as long as it’s critical and valid...but if there’s a lack of balance and real thrashing of the issues available to people when they’re watching those conversations it’s of no use really to anyone, all it’s doing really is following the Facebook algorithm and just pushing out what you want to hear.”
I can't really speak for the spread of misinformation in N.Z. but here in Canada there is definitely a ton of misinformation being spread both through social media and, sadly, through people in public leadership positions as well.
There is a particular Member of Parliament who represents the district where I'm from who is notorious for spreading misinformation about COVID. His name is Randy Hillier if you ever see his name pop up in Canada related media/news. It's especially annoying because I occasionally see a select few "friends" on Facebook reposing his garbage statements. I've gotten to a point where it's been so frustrating I have to unfollow and take a break from social media altogether.
However, this has also driven me to do my own research, especially research into how communication technologies influence the way we locate, receive, and redistribute data and the psychology around how we receive media through particular virtual platforms. A term I discovered that I want to look into further is data voids which tend to create echo chambers for users. Perhaps anyone in the Webworm community knows more about this and has some thoughts? I'm still looking into it but this article reminded me about the term and I wanted to share!