The U.S. v. Google, Elon’s Secrets Revealed, and Why Trolls Got Nastier
Sep 17, 2023
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Atlantic reporter Kaitlyn Tiffany and Jon discuss internet trolls, their motivations, and the trend of celebrating strangers' misfortunes. They delve into the dehumanization and bullying faced by victims online. The podcast also covers the U.S. v. Google case, Google's market dominance, and the impact of AI and open source technology. Discussions about the concerns of an individual's influence on military defense and foreign policy are raised as well.
Elon Musk's radicalization during the pandemic highlights the influence of online echo chambers and misinformation on even intellectually capable individuals.
Musk's opposition to progressive ideology and his belief in the 'mind virus' of woke culture hinder his vision of advancing civilization and becoming a multiplanetary species.
The exposure of personal information, or doxing, is a case-by-case situation that depends on intent, consequences, and motivation, requiring individuals to be vigilant and consider their online privacy and rights.
Deep dives
Radicalization and Opposition to Pandemic Measures
In Walter Isaacson's biography of Elon Musk, it is revealed that the billionaire became radicalized during the COVID-19 pandemic. Upset that his Tesla factory had to shut down, Musk opposed pandemic measures and believed the virus was not a significant threat. This led to his adoption of anti-science and anti-government sentiments, resembling a typical Fox News radicalization narrative.
Friction with Woke Culture
Another key aspect of the biography is Musk's anger towards so-called progressive woke ideology. He blames this ideology, which he refers to as a 'mind virus,' for his eldest child's transition and left-leaning political views. Musk believes that the woke mindset, which he sees as being anti-science, anti-merit, and anti-human, is preventing the advancement of civilization and his vision of becoming a multiplanetary species.
Internet Radicalization and Complexity
The book sheds light on Musk's susceptibility to internet radicalization, challenging the notion that only those lacking intelligence can be influenced. Despite his brilliance in technology and innovation, Musk's acceptance of conspiracy theories and embrace of far-right rhetoric show how even intellectually capable individuals can be influenced by online echo chambers and misinformation. This highlights the multifaceted nature of radicalization and the need for critical thinking and media literacy in our increasingly digital world.
The implications of doxing in the digital age
Doxing is a term that has become increasingly relevant in our modern state of social media. It refers to the dangerous exposure of personal information, even if it is already publicly available. The act of moving personal information from one place to another can be overtly threatening, highlighting the need for people to be aware of the potential risks. However, the term can also be used in bad faith, as seen in cases where public figures claim to be doxed when their personal information is in the public interest. Overall, doxing is a case-by-case situation that depends on the intent, consequences, and motivation behind the exposure of personal information.
The challenges of social media and online privacy
The debate surrounding social media and its impact on society continues, with concerns about ever-increasing online trolling, privacy breaches, and the exploitation of personal information. It is important for individuals to be vigilant and think about how they would react if their personal information were used against them. This should prompt people to consider what aspects of their lives are exposed online and how the government can better protect their privacy and rights as citizens. While social media may have its drawbacks, it is unlikely to fade away entirely, but finding ways to mitigate the negative aspects and maintain a relatively pleasant online experience, such as muting notifications and limiting engagement with toxic interactions, can enhance online well-being.
Kaitlyn Tiffany, Atlantic reporter and author of Everything I Need I Get from You, joins Offline to break down internet trolls. She and Jon unpack who these people are, and examine why the online trend of celebrating the misfortunes of strangers – including their deaths – is still very much alive. They talk about how trolls from across the political spectrum see their victims not as nuanced individuals with feelings, but as representatives of an enemy ideology, and thus fair game for online bullying and evening doxing. Then, it’s time for a tech roundup with Max on Walter Isaacson’s new Elon Musk biography, Congress’s AI hearings, and why President Biden’s DOJ is suing the internet’s largest search engine.
For a closed-captioned version of this episode, click here. For a transcript of this episode, please email transcripts@crooked.com and include the name of the podcast.
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