The model used by modern media is indefensible. It's the same with social media. Unprincipled and willing to do anything to attract viewership/engagement.
Because I believe the current trajectory of society will place more than just my reputation at risk for expressing my thoughts. Make of that what you will.
Though sadly, the truth seems to benefit most when it is backed by the real or proverbial blood of martyrs.
Anonymity, and even pseudo anonymity, ensures free discourse.
Good ideas, no matter how unpopular, scary, or threatening to a power structure that could crush the commenter, rise to the top of most conversation formats with reliable regularity.
Yeah, it consisted of people with mental faculties that far exceed the minimum requirements of today's internet.
> If what you have to say isn't worth your reputation, then maybe you should think twice before spreading that same thought to real [and often vulnerable] people on the still-nascent internet.
And if you can't clearly explain your exception (ex. escaping local persecution), then the point stands.
1. Consequence-less broadcasting of any speech (i.e., sympathizing with nazis and lying to vulnerable people about life-threatening illness).
2. Unfettered access to life-ending technology (guns)
3. Unwavering support for unborn lives.
Smh
Also, this response is the reason for the anon account. People on the internet are quick to categorize and demonize.
But COVID is not unique: people have been dying unnecessary deaths in this country for a long time, and have accelerated in recent years. Go read up on deaths of despair. Look at the rise in healthcare costs, or how unhealthy our food is. It's no wonder that a society of unhealthy, isolated, and stressed people are succumbing to a disease that kills those with suppressed immune systems.
>The reason for the large number of deaths in the US is not that Americans have suppressed immune systems, are stressed, or are otherwise unhealthy.
I disagree. And even if we were to stop COVID from killing so many, it's reckless to consider this as not a significant contributor to any unnecessary deaths. New variants of existing diseases are inevitable.
But there's no reason not to discuss China. It's the elephant in the room. A country of 1.4 billion people essentially ended community transmission and then opened up society again.
> I disagree.
There's nothing to disagree or agree about. The virus is not 500x more deadly in the US than in China. That's a fact, whether or not you agree. The overwhelming factor is simply the number of people who get infected in the first place.