Noah Smith, an expert on online reactions to terrorism and counter attacks, joins the Pirate Wires crew to discuss the disturbing discourse on the far left to the Hamas attacks and the role of cancel culture. They also delve into changes to Twitter, Elon Musk's role in journalism, and the future of the platform.
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Quick takeaways
Twitter's recent link format change has made it difficult to understand articles and may impact its credibility as a news source.
Fact-checking and seeking information from reliable news sources like The New York Times and The Washington Post is crucial.
The emergence of cancel culture and the influence of technology have amplified the effects of social ostracism and the spread of extreme beliefs.
Deep dives
The Influence of Twitter Link Format Change on News Consumption
The podcast episode discusses the impact of Twitter's recent link format change on news consumption. The change involves stripping the links of their titles, making it difficult to understand what an article is about. This has led to confusion and hesitance in clicking on external links, potentially affecting the role of Twitter as a go-to source for news. Some speculate that the change is part of a larger plan to replace traditional news outlets with Twitter as the primary source of news.
The Shift in News Consumption Patterns
The podcast explores the shift in news consumption patterns due to changes in Twitter. While Twitter used to be the go-to platform for news, some individuals have found themselves relying more on traditional mainstream outlets like The New York Times and The Washington Post. The removal of link titles on Twitter has made it challenging to understand the content and context of an article from a tweet alone, encouraging users to seek more reliable and accurate news sources.
The Importance of Fact-Checking and Establishing Credible News Sources
The podcast emphasizes the importance of fact-checking and seeking information from credible news sources. While Twitter may serve as a platform for commentary and opinions, it is not always reliable for accurate information about events. Social media users are encouraged to turn to established publications like The New York Times and The Washington Post for trustworthy news and updates.
The Influence of Silence and the Diversity of Leftist Ideologies
The podcast delves into the impact of silence and the diversity of leftist ideologies. It highlights the tension between remaining silent on certain issues and the pressure to speak out, especially in positions of power and influence. It also discusses the existence of different factions within the left, such as progressives and leftists, and the evolving dynamics and influence of these groups within institutions. The emergence of tankies, radical leftists with extreme views, is recognized, and the broader context of cancel culture is explored.
The impact of cancel culture and social ostracism in the digital age
Cancel culture and social ostracism have become prevalent in the digital age. The ability to rapidly spread and share information through technology has amplified the effects of cancel culture. However, it is argued that cancel culture has always existed in some form, but technology has made it more pervasive and damaging. The internet, particularly platforms like Twitter, has created a small town mentality where everyone knows everything about everyone, and social ostracism has become more burdensome. The emergence of cancel culture is seen as an interplay between cultural shifts and technological advancements.
The role of technology in promoting extreme beliefs and cancel culture
Technology, specifically social algorithms, plays a significant role in the spread and mainstreaming of extreme beliefs and cancel culture. Algorithms that prioritize engaging content perpetuate the small town mentality and promote viral tweets and controversial ideas. Popular social media platforms like Twitter and TikTok, driven by such algorithms, have the power to amplify extreme ideas and influence cultural trends. The pervasiveness of cancel culture can also be attributed to the instantaneous nature of technology, allowing people to quickly share and disseminate controversial content. The implications of cancel culture and the influence of technology are recognized and debated within society, with discussions around regulating algorithms and mitigating the negative impact.
EPISODE EIGHTEEN: War. Hamas attacks Israel in a horrific terror attack, setting off a week of counter attacks by Israel on Gaza. On this weeks episode, the Pirate Wires crew is joined by Noah Smith to break down all of the online reactions. From the deranged left, to college campuses, to CEOs creating terror lists. We also get into Twitter (X) and Elon's role in journalism as he continues to make changes to the platform.
Featuring Mike Solana, Noah Smith, Brandon Gorrell, , Sanjana Friedman
