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when we know that there is a substantial Russian disinfo machine out there
But… is there? I mean, I know Russian disinformation exists, but could you really say it’s “substantial”? It seems to me that Russian disinformation couldn’t be even 1% as damaging as the disinformation put out by Fox News or Donald Trump.
Why is there all this concern about foreign disinformation when the most damaging disinformation is coming from within America? (And remember, Donald Trump’s political ascent was built on “Obama is a secret Muslim born in Kenya”.)
It seems to me that the main reason we hear so much about foreign disinformation is because it’s a boogeyman to stop you from questioning your country’s narratives.
“Remember: Anyone who questions America’s narratives is a foreign agent! If you ever start to think maybe your country’s narratives are wrong, you’re being duped by foreign agents.”
Also, the influence of Russian trolls on Lemmy is definitely overstated. As far as I can see, anything that doesn’t sound like it came from the mouth of a Democrat gets downvoted into oblivion.
I mean, it’s inherently hard to quantify the impact of this kind of thing, but in terms of Putin’s goals for it I think “substantial” is pretty reasonable. It’s not effective in that Russia can’t trigger a color revolution in America any more than America can trigger a color revolution in Ukraine, Serbia, Georgia, or any of the Arab Spring nations. But just because they aren’t the source of the divisions in American society that form these fault lines doesnt mean they aren’t actively trying to widen them. Especially when we’re talking about the America First crowd and the Conspiracy Left I think it’s entirely fair to point out loudly and often how the narrative they’re advancing is backed by adversarial powers that actively want to weaken America specifically and democracy in general.
Or to refer back to the original meme, Jimmy Dore may think he’s a lefty, but all his political actions and rhetoric work to the benefit of fascists rather than working people.
But… is there? I mean, I know Russian disinformation exists, but could you really say it’s “substantial”? It seems to me that Russian disinformation couldn’t be even 1% as damaging as the disinformation put out by Fox News or Donald Trump.
Why is there all this concern about foreign disinformation when the most damaging disinformation is coming from within America? (And remember, Donald Trump’s political ascent was built on “Obama is a secret Muslim born in Kenya”.)
It seems to me that the main reason we hear so much about foreign disinformation is because it’s a boogeyman to stop you from questioning your country’s narratives.
“Remember: Anyone who questions America’s narratives is a foreign agent! If you ever start to think maybe your country’s narratives are wrong, you’re being duped by foreign agents.”
Also, the influence of Russian trolls on Lemmy is definitely overstated. As far as I can see, anything that doesn’t sound like it came from the mouth of a Democrat gets downvoted into oblivion.
I mean, it’s inherently hard to quantify the impact of this kind of thing, but in terms of Putin’s goals for it I think “substantial” is pretty reasonable. It’s not effective in that Russia can’t trigger a color revolution in America any more than America can trigger a color revolution in Ukraine, Serbia, Georgia, or any of the Arab Spring nations. But just because they aren’t the source of the divisions in American society that form these fault lines doesnt mean they aren’t actively trying to widen them. Especially when we’re talking about the America First crowd and the Conspiracy Left I think it’s entirely fair to point out loudly and often how the narrative they’re advancing is backed by adversarial powers that actively want to weaken America specifically and democracy in general.
Or to refer back to the original meme, Jimmy Dore may think he’s a lefty, but all his political actions and rhetoric work to the benefit of fascists rather than working people.