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[–]zyxzevn🐈‍⬛ 31 insightful - 5 fun31 insightful - 4 fun32 insightful - 5 fun -  (8 children)

I noticed that in Reddit, I got downvoted each time I had a different idea.
Politically, It was also changing depending on the time-zone.
When dealing with science, it was being downvoted (or banned) when the evidence broke with the popular theories.
The downvoting really reduces the diversity in thinking, and the progress in knowledge.

[–]PencilPusher55 37 insightful - 3 fun37 insightful - 2 fun38 insightful - 3 fun -  (7 children)

Yep. Reddit actually made me feel as though I was going insane. When Covid-19 first hit everyone was freaking out at those on the beach in Florida. "Murderers! Killers! What about the elderly?". When the protests started and people took to the streets I brought up the fact that they were against mass gatherings just a few weeks ago. I was obliterated by downvotes and told "Haha! Someone is too afraid to leave their home! Are you trying to make us as paranoid as you?".

I mean, they're about as anti-science as one could get.

[–]Rationalmind 23 insightful - 2 fun23 insightful - 1 fun24 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Yes, with Covid and the protests, I realized that humans have incredibly short attention spans and are unaware of their own hypocrisy.

[–][deleted] 16 insightful - 2 fun16 insightful - 1 fun17 insightful - 2 fun -  (4 children)

I will say the protesters are a lot more willing to mask than your basic Karens and Chads going to Kroger to pick up a six-pack.

The mask doesn't protect you from others but to some valuable extent it protects them from you. Everyone saying "I'mma go barefaced" is saying "fuck you, I don't care if you die," and I think a lot of them know it. I know this thing hasn't killed most people who've caught it, but when it does kill, it kills badly, and when it just makes you sick you could be looking at permanent lung damage, a heart attack, a stroke, a lost limb (! yes! someone got a clot in his leg and bam, amputation necessary), and all sorts of other weird shit and then, on top of that, it can take you three months or longer to actually feel all the way better. What reasonable person wants to do that to another person? And dear Chuck, WHY?

I still didn't go to the protests though. I tried to be supportive in other ways because face it, the police aren't even all the way decent to white people, and there are some jobs that can't afford to have bad apples in them. Like airline pilots, as Chris Rock famously pointed out.

Anyway. Not really trying to start a debate, just dissipate a bit of echo chamber. Ignore if you like.

[–]voi_che_sapete 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I agree with you and wish the left had taken the time to articulate why the protests were important despite the risk.

[–]fred_red_beans 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (2 children)

There is no evidence that the wearing of masks prevents the spread of flu in the general population. There is evidence that Face Masks Pose Serious Risks to the Healthy.

By not wearing a mask, I am not saying "fuck you, I don't care if you die". I am saying I see no evidence that wearing masks is needed and that I do not wish to engage in a mob mentality of conformity and hysteria.

Here are 12 Experts Who Question the Coronavirus Pandemic

[–][deleted]  (1 child)

[deleted]

    [–]fred_red_beans 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

    Yea, I've been wearing a mask at places that require them. While I think it's silly, it's more a mere inconvenience than anything else. I may have to draw the line at some point, depending on what that next "thing" is, but the wave of mob mentality is upon us- just like 9/11, Iraq's WMDs, Gaddafi, and supposed chemical attacks in Syria. The authorities that people let define their worldview say it is so, so it must be...

    [–]copenseethe 11 insightful - 4 fun11 insightful - 3 fun12 insightful - 4 fun -  (0 children)

    The media is broadcasting "expert opinion" that the protests were not causing new infections. That was a headline in my local paper a few days ago. It defies common sense to say that laying on the beach is dangerous but standing in a crowd and yelling carries no risk.