Great post David. I'm not sure if you've heard it yet, but Kim Hill's interview with Judith Collins this morning on RNZ's Morning Report was a masterclass in journalism. She didn't let Collins get away with anything and hammered home her questions, to which Judith had to finally admit they have no evidence of the government withholding any information.
My husband and I have just moved back home to NZ from Australia. After watching that press conference with Gerry and Judith from our managed isolation hotel room, I just felt so sad that this tacky brand of populist politics we saw in Australia (and the US) has made it over here. Thank you for using your journalism skills and platform to counteract this thinking.
Urgh. It would be terrible if Gerry et al actually believed it, but what’s more despicable is that they likely don’t but are wanting to cause unrest and distrust. That they should wish to do so at this point in time is mind blowing. Yet here we are.
What gets to me is that people decide 'this was leaked to someone else' posts as fact. Or 'i heard this was happening' as fact.
Last night I was reading a thread on fb where someone was making big conspiracy claims about covid. Several people within the thread said they read the same thing and they heard it from multiple people too. So they figured it must have been true.
People reading the same reposted story as seperate proofs of the one story (which was a 'someone in my community said this was happening' one).
It was rather frustrating.
Having an official repeat something like that and so making it more 'real' is devastating. Cant get that back in the box. Even if they backtrack and apologise, that apology won't be louder than the first declaration. Agh! That's such a mess.
Can't wrap my head around responsible people throwing out some rumours for political gain in these times.
What boils my piss is how these conspiracy theorists shit all over genuine journalism. Journalists who give a voice to the voiceless, the marginalised, then exploited, spend hundreds of hours hours poring over documentation in search of evidence. They face litigation, assault, death threats to themselves and their families. It’s neither glamorous or easy. The team at The Boston Globe spent over a year of dedicated research in order to expose the Catholic Church.
The amateur sleuths from Don’t Fuck With Cats finally found Luke Magnotta due to nothing but tenacity and sheer hard work. Ugh. Rant over.
I am fucking weary after reading that. I want us to find a way back to whatever the fuck normal is because this aint it, chief.
Where did we go wrong? Did we let social media play fast and loose with giving a platform to these walking contradictions with bi safeguards in place?
You have the rifht to voice an opinion, yes thats true - but if you abuse a platform to spread lies then thats something whixh shoukd result in a ban. If you want ti see what that feels like read any tweet by @nero (koke never gets old).
Deplatforming absolutely works and should be the same for politicians. If you are going to fail in representing your constituents thwn you should fuck off into the brook cupboard and talk to yourself until you grow up and drop the act.
Finally unkess youre an actual journalist or scientist ir even a layer then the words “im just asking questions” are about as dishonest as you can get. Its an excuse used to deflwct when someone doesnt have the fortitude to stand by their shit comments. A cowards disclaimer.
I think the worst part is that the opposition absolutely knows what they're doing and the kind of impact it will have. The sheer level of bad faith here is astounding and it seems that doubling down is part of the strategy.
Hey David, long time reader first-time commenter, thanks for covering the rise of conspiracies in Aotearoa. It truly is unnerving how quickly it is spreading on social media and being validated by certain corners of politics. Have you watched the series by the New York Times 'Operation INFEKTION', it's a great look at Russian misinformation and the origins of conspiracy theories/fake news. It also looks at how several Eastern European countries, who have faced decades of misinformation from Russia, have dedicated TV shows on public television that breakdown conspiracy theories and disinformation. Is this something that could work here? Maybe a weekly piece on 7 Sharp? Maybe a segment on RNZ? I'm thinking it's pretty important to actually outline the facts rather than letting these conspiracy theorists do it.
Facebook is the absolute WORST when it comes to spreading conspiracies/misinformation. And when you said "I feel tired", I felt that in the deepest depths of my soul. Keep the writing up. The cat pictures and IG stories you post make me smile, so keep the absolute units coming, Dave. 💜
Do you think all this crazy conspiracy nonsense is fuelling NZers to 'panic buy'? A three day lockdown invoked NZers - who have never stooped to the Black Friday shopping madness before - to now start fighting at Grey Lynn supermarket, despite knowing supermarkets are, and will, forever stay open?
Also, side note, but I do find it interesting when growing up the internet was a place I didn't go to get facts. I remember 'don't believe everything you read on the internet' being a common phrase - I'm a young millennial at 24, so my internet usage was staggered throughout my life (dial up internet as a tween, introduction to online social media like MSN, Bebo, FB, the most basic levels of instagram and snapchat at 16, to an iPhone at 17). I don't know when the narrative flipped and 'don't trust everything you read on the internet' turned into 'trust every dodgy site, article, doctor and instagram post under the sun!' Especially with the Boomers - my grandparents loves a good conspiracy!
I am a kiwi doc currently trying to learn more in Aus. Now I’m stuck here. I miss home and my fiancé so very much. This vile conspiracy stuff makes me want to cry. I wish I was as brave as those fighting against the madness, including you David, but I am not. The best I can do is keep working, keep studying, and eventually come back to serve my community. I’ve officially ended my relationship with social media today as too many friends and associates (who I assumed as educated people would know better) have shared such posts. Please keep working in this space on my behalf so that when I am able to come home it is to the fantastic place I’ve known and love.
I’m exhausted. My mental health is really crumbling now. This constant external barrage is so wearing in addition to trying to keep a job. People I used to like and respect are arguing with acidic vehemence about totally baseless garbage and this morning I just lost it. First time since March I just broke down in tears and let it get the better of me. All because a friend started an argument with me, including unpleasant name calling, on social media. It was the final nail in the coffin Of my steadfastness and resolve. It’s so goddam juvenile and inane. “Facts” is a dirty word these days, especially when thrown around with the cavalier looseness of an arsehole like Gerry after immediately spouting utter bullshit. I just want to crawl in to a hole and give up. Just me? Anyone want in the hole with me? I have a cat, and snacks. Fuck it.
I am so angry about Gerry Brownlee's message yesterday. Obviously the QAnon stuff is evil fairytales for people looking for meaning in their life. Wouldn't Labour want a clear run through to the election with no cases and no shutdown so we all thought they had done a marvellous job? I can't see how a lockdown helps them on any sane level.
I cannot stand the - just asking questions, do your own research line. Either Brownlee is a fool or he is playing the worst type of electioneering. And either way he is not convincing me that he would make better decisions or run the country in a pandemic in a way that would benefit my business or family or community any better.
I am also very sad the election is looking this way. I am on the right side of Labour or the liberal side of National as a voter, but right now I think Act are putting together a more coherant sensible election campaign than National.
I know it must be pretty disheartening watching this crap unfold before your eyes. It's just so frustrating how easily we get sucked into these things. I've forwarded some of the last few posts to my sisters in NZ and Aus as they're much more into social media and following insta people. I'd seen a few of their posts reposting some of the pages you mentioned. Thankfully they took some time to read them as they didn't really understand the QAnon stuff. Keep digging and writing David.
Great post David. I'm not sure if you've heard it yet, but Kim Hill's interview with Judith Collins this morning on RNZ's Morning Report was a masterclass in journalism. She didn't let Collins get away with anything and hammered home her questions, to which Judith had to finally admit they have no evidence of the government withholding any information.
You can listen to the interview here: https://www.rnz.co.nz/national/programmes/morningreport/audio/2018759286/covid-19-judith-collins-hits-back-at-grant-robertson-after-he-called-opposition-claims-nonsense
My husband and I have just moved back home to NZ from Australia. After watching that press conference with Gerry and Judith from our managed isolation hotel room, I just felt so sad that this tacky brand of populist politics we saw in Australia (and the US) has made it over here. Thank you for using your journalism skills and platform to counteract this thinking.
Urgh. It would be terrible if Gerry et al actually believed it, but what’s more despicable is that they likely don’t but are wanting to cause unrest and distrust. That they should wish to do so at this point in time is mind blowing. Yet here we are.
What gets to me is that people decide 'this was leaked to someone else' posts as fact. Or 'i heard this was happening' as fact.
Last night I was reading a thread on fb where someone was making big conspiracy claims about covid. Several people within the thread said they read the same thing and they heard it from multiple people too. So they figured it must have been true.
People reading the same reposted story as seperate proofs of the one story (which was a 'someone in my community said this was happening' one).
It was rather frustrating.
Having an official repeat something like that and so making it more 'real' is devastating. Cant get that back in the box. Even if they backtrack and apologise, that apology won't be louder than the first declaration. Agh! That's such a mess.
Can't wrap my head around responsible people throwing out some rumours for political gain in these times.
What boils my piss is how these conspiracy theorists shit all over genuine journalism. Journalists who give a voice to the voiceless, the marginalised, then exploited, spend hundreds of hours hours poring over documentation in search of evidence. They face litigation, assault, death threats to themselves and their families. It’s neither glamorous or easy. The team at The Boston Globe spent over a year of dedicated research in order to expose the Catholic Church.
The amateur sleuths from Don’t Fuck With Cats finally found Luke Magnotta due to nothing but tenacity and sheer hard work. Ugh. Rant over.
I am fucking weary after reading that. I want us to find a way back to whatever the fuck normal is because this aint it, chief.
Where did we go wrong? Did we let social media play fast and loose with giving a platform to these walking contradictions with bi safeguards in place?
You have the rifht to voice an opinion, yes thats true - but if you abuse a platform to spread lies then thats something whixh shoukd result in a ban. If you want ti see what that feels like read any tweet by @nero (koke never gets old).
Deplatforming absolutely works and should be the same for politicians. If you are going to fail in representing your constituents thwn you should fuck off into the brook cupboard and talk to yourself until you grow up and drop the act.
Finally unkess youre an actual journalist or scientist ir even a layer then the words “im just asking questions” are about as dishonest as you can get. Its an excuse used to deflwct when someone doesnt have the fortitude to stand by their shit comments. A cowards disclaimer.
Also fuck the 23C heat at 00:20.
I think the worst part is that the opposition absolutely knows what they're doing and the kind of impact it will have. The sheer level of bad faith here is astounding and it seems that doubling down is part of the strategy.
Also thats a really pretty cat
Hey David, long time reader first-time commenter, thanks for covering the rise of conspiracies in Aotearoa. It truly is unnerving how quickly it is spreading on social media and being validated by certain corners of politics. Have you watched the series by the New York Times 'Operation INFEKTION', it's a great look at Russian misinformation and the origins of conspiracy theories/fake news. It also looks at how several Eastern European countries, who have faced decades of misinformation from Russia, have dedicated TV shows on public television that breakdown conspiracy theories and disinformation. Is this something that could work here? Maybe a weekly piece on 7 Sharp? Maybe a segment on RNZ? I'm thinking it's pretty important to actually outline the facts rather than letting these conspiracy theorists do it.
Facebook is the absolute WORST when it comes to spreading conspiracies/misinformation. And when you said "I feel tired", I felt that in the deepest depths of my soul. Keep the writing up. The cat pictures and IG stories you post make me smile, so keep the absolute units coming, Dave. 💜
Do you think all this crazy conspiracy nonsense is fuelling NZers to 'panic buy'? A three day lockdown invoked NZers - who have never stooped to the Black Friday shopping madness before - to now start fighting at Grey Lynn supermarket, despite knowing supermarkets are, and will, forever stay open?
Also, side note, but I do find it interesting when growing up the internet was a place I didn't go to get facts. I remember 'don't believe everything you read on the internet' being a common phrase - I'm a young millennial at 24, so my internet usage was staggered throughout my life (dial up internet as a tween, introduction to online social media like MSN, Bebo, FB, the most basic levels of instagram and snapchat at 16, to an iPhone at 17). I don't know when the narrative flipped and 'don't trust everything you read on the internet' turned into 'trust every dodgy site, article, doctor and instagram post under the sun!' Especially with the Boomers - my grandparents loves a good conspiracy!
I am a kiwi doc currently trying to learn more in Aus. Now I’m stuck here. I miss home and my fiancé so very much. This vile conspiracy stuff makes me want to cry. I wish I was as brave as those fighting against the madness, including you David, but I am not. The best I can do is keep working, keep studying, and eventually come back to serve my community. I’ve officially ended my relationship with social media today as too many friends and associates (who I assumed as educated people would know better) have shared such posts. Please keep working in this space on my behalf so that when I am able to come home it is to the fantastic place I’ve known and love.
I’m exhausted. My mental health is really crumbling now. This constant external barrage is so wearing in addition to trying to keep a job. People I used to like and respect are arguing with acidic vehemence about totally baseless garbage and this morning I just lost it. First time since March I just broke down in tears and let it get the better of me. All because a friend started an argument with me, including unpleasant name calling, on social media. It was the final nail in the coffin Of my steadfastness and resolve. It’s so goddam juvenile and inane. “Facts” is a dirty word these days, especially when thrown around with the cavalier looseness of an arsehole like Gerry after immediately spouting utter bullshit. I just want to crawl in to a hole and give up. Just me? Anyone want in the hole with me? I have a cat, and snacks. Fuck it.
Thanks for doing all this work, David. Not easy reading, but essential stuff to know.
I am so angry about Gerry Brownlee's message yesterday. Obviously the QAnon stuff is evil fairytales for people looking for meaning in their life. Wouldn't Labour want a clear run through to the election with no cases and no shutdown so we all thought they had done a marvellous job? I can't see how a lockdown helps them on any sane level.
I cannot stand the - just asking questions, do your own research line. Either Brownlee is a fool or he is playing the worst type of electioneering. And either way he is not convincing me that he would make better decisions or run the country in a pandemic in a way that would benefit my business or family or community any better.
I am also very sad the election is looking this way. I am on the right side of Labour or the liberal side of National as a voter, but right now I think Act are putting together a more coherant sensible election campaign than National.
Thanks for doing this work - I honestly think it's pulling back some friends who are teetering very close to the edge of this pit.
I know it must be pretty disheartening watching this crap unfold before your eyes. It's just so frustrating how easily we get sucked into these things. I've forwarded some of the last few posts to my sisters in NZ and Aus as they're much more into social media and following insta people. I'd seen a few of their posts reposting some of the pages you mentioned. Thankfully they took some time to read them as they didn't really understand the QAnon stuff. Keep digging and writing David.