Friend is now full on Trump-supporting, QAnon-believing conspiracy theorist

[Offskki]

I just can't believe it and I'm a bit gutted to be honest. Any advice on how to deal with this?

@SugarbabyMilly
The Trump family actually look like they're ready enjoying themselves in those videos, as did the rioters in the capital building. I think that's part of the appeal of this sort of stuff, it's fun. You're with a group of people with a shared view, you have some sort of special insight, you're all in the know together. I really don't think I was wrong comparing them to ISIS.

...and neoliberal free-market capitalism (China) are now the cornerstones of 'leftist' governments?!!!!!

I think of China as from the extreme Left, Mao’s Communist revolution, they are a one party state and there is no democracy but the revolution was from the Left, have you not read Animal Farm?
I think that it is best to face up to the fact that the Left is not all ‘good’ as a Lefty myself.
The Tech GIants have an extraordinary amount of power and it does worry me that they are now the judge and jury of free speech.
Twitter refused to censor the users who poured death threats and rape threats on J.KRowling whatever your view of her, they do throw off a lot of women who have GC viewpoints. This has opened my eyes to the fact that it’s ok when it’s your viewpoint but it can soon turn the other way. Also it’s from the USA and it pushes their domestic agenda into our political world too much.

I just mean the friend sounds a bit vulnerable and has already been 'silenced' by other friends and family.
She's not silenced. She has the right to talk, she just doesn't have the right to force people to listen.

I think that the fact her husband is into it as well means that she will be reinforced by this on a daily basis. My dp does this - he finds people on LinkedIn and spends all day posting about how Covid is a hoax and the vaccines are designed to kill people. He has stopped working to do it.

I think a lot of people can’t cope with the reality of the pandemic. They look for ways to cope that aren’t healthy.

If you want to make someone question the nonsense, you could always ask they WHY they are following a narrative about something that has been wrong every single time in its predictions. There are some YouTube videos that encourage critical thinking. But most people who believe this stuff seem to ignore irrefutable evidence.

all Xoxoxoxoxoxox Spot on.

People worry about Trump but when it comes to China is all shit that was put into people’s head taken from Facebook .Even the Guardian newspaper that lean left is all over them.

there is a right to free speech and a right to be extremely stupid. Unfortunately there is also a right to be a filthy racist which is what these people are.

Tell her that and then disown. And to the poor posters who live with/have sex with people like this;change the locks when you can.

@blueangel19
Sorry could you reword that last post please? I don't really know what you mean.

I just mean the friend sounds a bit vulnerable and has already been 'silenced' by other friends and family.
She's not silenced. She has the right to talk, she just doesn't have the right to force people to listen

Which is why 'silenced' was written to denote speech marks as I was quoting the words of the friend and how she feels about it...

@Kendodd yes you are right. I sincerely hope the rumours about Ivanka Trump running for president in the future don’t come to fruition. She’s as bad as her father but a lot of people don’t see past the whispery voice and swishy hair.

This is an excellent thread on talking with friends and people you love who have fallen down rabbit holes.

twitter.com/dannagal/status/1347564138738946050
Dr. Danna Young
@dannagal
I've received several DMs from friends asking what do to about parents/family members who believe misinformation regarding the election, vaccines and COVID. Here's a research-based thread to help explain the roots of these beliefs and how to (and how not to) address them. 1/

@blueangel19

Yes, that is the latest. If you do not agree or have different views now is a way of forming a conspiracy theory. I bet this is the bunch that says that asking for ID at elections is racist.

I hope they ended in a gulag in China.

That's a little harsh. Someone disagrees with you and want them consigned to a gulag.

Also, gulags were in the Soviet Union, not China.

all Kendodd I find extremely weird that people condemn Trump for being anti-democratic and inhumane but dismiss the actions of the Communist party as Facebook talk and brainwashing ? See previous posts. I was mainly agreeing with xoxoxox if still unclear.

@blueangel19

Thanks for recording, I understand your point now.

SaskiaRembrand Yes, extremely harsh and yes they seems to happening in China.
www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/muslims-camps-china/

Oh I should have @'d the OP.

@Offskki , see my post above with link to excellent, compassionate advice from someone who specialises in politics and communications, Dr Danna Young.
Dr. Danna Young
@dannagal
twitter.com/dannagal/status/1347564138738946050

This article is longer and also very good, with international examples (check out Taiwan's toilet paper meme!). It also has links to further work.

How Civil Society Can Combat Misinformation and Hate Speech Without Making It Worse
By Joan Donovan, Research Director of Harvard Kennedy School’s Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics and Public Policy
medium.com/political-pandemonium-2020/how-civil-society-can-combat-misinformation-and-hate-speech-without-making-it-worse-887a16b8b9b6

The headings include:

Civil Society Response: Six Strategies for Countering Misinformation and Hate Speech
1.Connected Communities
[...]
2. Fact/Fallacy/Fact or “The Truth Sandwich”
[...]
3. Prebunking
[...]
4. Distributed Debunking
[...]
5. Localize the Context
[...]
6. Humor Over Rumor

[quote blueangel19]SaskiaRembrand Yes, extremely harsh and yes they seems to happening in China.
www.reuters.com/investigates/special-report/muslims-camps-china/[/quote]
But you said you hoped people who think it's racist to ask for ID at elections ended up in gulags. That is an incredibly odd thing to say when you're also criticising SM companies for banning Trump. You can't on one hand say Trump et al should be allowed to say what they want, wherever they want, then on the other, say that you hope people who disagree with you end up in gulags. Well, you can, and you have done, but it doesn't do your argument any favours.

I'm well aware of what is happening in China, but as appalling as their actions are, the Chinese government do not use Twitter to promote and defend themselves, or urge other people to take action on their behalf.

For what it's worth I think Twitter have been far too lenient on Trump, he should have been thrown off years ago when he first started spouting lies and hatred. Apparently they have (had) a policy of not blocking world leaders, hopefully they will rethink this after Trump. Nobody should be allowed to disseminate this sort of stuff.

I agree. I remember at the time they allowed him to break the rules, on the basis that he was a world leader and his voice should be heard. I'm sure he was also good for business. In hindsight their tolerance was a huge mistake and I think their action is far too late.

To those saying he's being silenced, he literally has a podium and press room by which he can address the nation, and the world, at any time.

@OchNoAgain this is pretty much the view I'm taking. The best thing I can do is offer normality and companionship in our hobby.

@PerkingFaintly thank you, I caught your links and I will follow these up.

@Kendodd thank you for the poem, you can't beat a bit of Rosenberg.

The content of conspiracy theories and misinformation varies wildly, but the techniques they use are similar – so the ways to handle them are similar.

The summary would be: "Treat the harm, not the hit."

• Repeating misinformation just amplifies it. So instead, address the the feelings and beliefs the misinformation has created in the person.

• Straight debunking doesn't work. In general, people hate to be told they are factually wrong.

• Showing people counter information – without mentioning the misinformation – does have an impact.

• The most successful technique involves listening to people expressing the things they are anxious about. Then offering constructive information that "treats the harm", without adding, "So you're wrong, you arsehole."

x-posted with you, OP. Hope you're able to rescue the friendship.

That second article contains advice for occasions when you do feel you need to repeat the misinformation, viz to do it as part of a Truth Sandwich.

2. Fact/Fallacy/Fact or “The Truth Sandwich”
Rhetorically, how you say something is just as important as what you say.

Often disinformation is delivered memetically, i.e. in the form of short, memorable, and pithy slogans. An untrue statement, such as, “Vaccines cause autism,” is particularly difficult to disrupt once it’s been repeated. Refuting a statement like this requires breaking up the psychological impulse to remember something so sticky and then replacing it with what is true. A rebuttal should take the form of a truth sandwich, such as: “Vaccines don’t cause autism. While the myth persists that vaccines cause this condition, doctors across the globe have proven that vaccines do not cause autism and are a benefit the whole of society.”

Another way of constructing the truth sandwich can include highlighting the political agenda of the group pushing lies. In that way, a message dispelling myths about vaccines could read: “Vaccines don’t cause autism. This myth is perpetuated by anti-vaccine activists and does not line up with scientific facts about public health. Doctors across the globe have proven that vaccines do not cause autism and are a benefit the whole society.”

The truth sandwich can be used in any number of situations and is best employed to counter broad thematic trends in misinformation.

medium.com/political-pandemonium-2020/how-civil-society-can-combat-misinformation-and-hate-speech-without-making-it-worse-887a16b8b9b6

all SaskiaRembrandt You are mixing the info and what I said. Let’s just say that if you explain to people why certain actions are worrying to some of us (As discussed in this thread) and they call you names and insult you with the latest insults like racist or conspiracy theorist. Alt right, etc... I can of hope that they will get what they deserve.

@blueangel19

Yes, that is the latest. If you do not agree or have different views now is a way of forming a conspiracy theory. I bet this is the bunch that says that asking for ID at elections is racist.

I hope they ended in a gulag in China.

So first your talking about how freedom of speech is important, next you're saying that you want people who disagree with you to be imprisoned.

all Gabite Try harder. I am not asking for it. More like they will end up there themselves by shutting down freedom of speech.

What is the all for @blueangel19 ?