https://www.techtransparencyproject.org ... nline-hateA new pair of studies from ADL (the Anti-Defamation League) and TTP (Tech Transparency Project) show how some of the biggest social media platforms and search engines at times directly contribute to the proliferation of online antisemitism, hate, and extremism through their own tools and, in some cases, by creating content themselves. While there are many variables contributing to online hate, including individual users’ own behavior, our research demonstrates how these companies are taking things from bad to worse.
The Lost Voices in the Blizzard of Anger:
Within the digital maelstrom, our comments often vanish amidst the avalanche of angry sentiments. The Taylor Swift controversy exemplifies this phenomenon, where blame is misplaced, and constructive conversations become casualties in the blizzard of online rage. That blizzard of hateful comments isn't retained. Sure, it may sit on the internet for decades, but it will most likely be lost to history forever. All that is truly left is the resulting feelings of hatred for the "other."
Political Ideologies and the Erosion of Politeness:
Tracing the historical narrative, conservatives have transitioned from criticizing liberals as 'snowflakes' to lamenting 'Political Correctness.' This shift reflects a broader tension between rugged individualism and collective collaboration. A broad overview of this ideological clash provides context to the evolving landscape.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8096906/Moral foundations research suggests that liberals care about moral values related to individual rights such as harm and fairness, while conservatives care about those foundations in addition to caring more about group rights such as loyalty, authority, and purity.
Contemporary conservatives, particularly supporters of figures like Trump, often reject traditional decorum in favor of unapologetic confrontation. The emphasis on brutal "honesty" (usually it's their honest feelings, not any kind of honest fact) over kindness, respect, etc. challenges social norms, that, in fact are blamed on Liberals from Conservatives when they point to the 1960's when women's rights, the youth movement, and an attack on the Government was shocking to everyone. Yes, the drugs, free sex, rock and roll were all part of this shift in public awakening, but now we are in a new era - one in which the Conservatives are trying to throw down the status quo because they feel attacked by it.
The Paradox of Positive Comments and Hateful Responses:
A peculiar phenomenon unfolds in the online realm – even positive comments attract hate.
Take two examples:
One can wonder why Swifties felt the need to write back in anger, sure, but what made the writer feel the need to express her dislike in the first place?
But, more oddly, someone posted a Instagram video of Taylor being happy about Travis Kelci catching a ball, and thinking it nice - recieved as much, if not more hateful comments about the person who posted the video, Taylor Swift herself, Travis, the NFL, Biden, and a whole host of other people.
Why? Why do we feel so comfortable as a society engaging in flame wars, even in a video that expresses nothing but Joy?
Additional studies like those published in the Journal of Political Economy (https://www.jpe.ox.ac.uk/papers/dilemma ... rrectness/) and Sociology Review (https://www.hoddereducationmagazines.co ... d-wokeism/) offer valuable insights into the dilemmas posed by political correctness and the rise of wokeism in shaping contemporary discourse.
I feel this is a complex topic. There are many forces at play: Political, Sociological, Economic, Racial, Sexual, etc.
As one person pointed out, the Taylor Swift story should have been a feel-good, Hallmark story for the Right Wing: Country girl goes to big city, dates a bunch of losers, then comes back to the Mid-West to find an All-American man. Football, apple pie, grandma - it's classic American story except:
1. Taylor doesn't like Trump
2. Taylor is a billionaire based on her own hard work and talent
These are unforgivable to the Right Wing.
So, it's not easy to see where we are headed, especially as AI becomes a major aspect of our lives (AI scientists predict that in the "game" of Attention (getting people to click on things) - AI will get better than humans (like AI has been able to dominate Chess). We will all be at the mercy of the algorithm and the AI tweaking it to get us to respond.
And if hateful flame wars are what gets those 'clicks' then we can expect this to escalate.
Religion can't help us. This is beyond any religious text, regardless of how perfect one thinks that book is. The Algorithm will know how to cut through religious dogma. It will be able to turn the pacifist into a war monger, the war monger into a dove. Whatever it takes to get eyes onto a product and a click on the "buy" button.
So,
1. Are we being trained to hate?
2. Can we change this fate?
