MEME ALERT: There is a new GOP minority report out today 'concluding' SARS-CoV-2 leaked from a lab.
I've read it and it is basically a rehash of outdated #lableak talking points, irrelevant anecdotes, and a strong misrepresentation of scientific studies and data.
Short version:
WHAT TO EXPECT:
#Rightwing networks will amplify this anti-scientific report dramatically in hopes of mobilizing their #conspiratorial base before the midterms.
This is the purpose of that content & timing.
#Weaponized conspiracy myths are powerful:
protagonistfuture.substack.com/p/a-tale-of-tw…
WHAT TO DO:
If you are an individual: Ignore & don't amplify.
If you are an influencer: Talk to scientists & don't amplify
If you are a journalist: Investigate & don't amplify.
Everybody: Don't get manipulated by scientific meme content like the report
protagonistfuture.substack.com/p/scientific-m…
UNSURE WHO TO TRUST:
Wait for a week before forming an opinion on the report.
#Lies in the report will spread rapidly through amplification, but will eventually be debunked point by point by scientists.
Form an opinion after the #truth had a chance to get their pants on.
/end
POINT BY POINT DEBUNK:
Like announced yesterday, scientists will address the meme report. Here is one scientists whose work has been purposefully misrepresented in the report and he is not okay with it:
MORE DEBUNK
Like announced above, I will be loosely collecting threads and opinions from scientists about the latest GOP meme report so that inclined readers might be able to form an opinion of it's scientific merit
INFORMATION OPERATION:
Information operations are inauthentic actions of a coordinated group, they may include fake identities, content, messaging, or amplification; and they pursue a social, economic, or political purpose.
COORDINATED LIES:
Journalistic malfeasance from @KatherineEban
in service of the lableak myth, conveniently arranged days before the midterm election.
Intentionally misquoting scientists should have professional consequences.
@KatherineEban MORE DEBUNK:
Irrelevant anecdotes and strategic incompetence on top of purposeful misquoting of scientists. 🔽
That is pretty much the depths of all scientific meme content, unethical, dangerous and poisoning the info sphere in hopes of political gain.
MORE DEBUNK:
Scientific and other misrepresentations can be accidental, it is usually good to assume so. This is not true when it comes to manipulation from info combatants, there the twisting of reality is intentional to serve strategic aims.
MORE COORDINATED ACTIONS:
Alina Chan, a prominent lableaker and advisor to the GOP report came out with her worthless scientific meme content.
The timing is no coincidence, just linking to the debunk of her opinionated & flawed 'literature review'
MORE DEBUNK:
The GOP report claims massive breaches of biosecurity. Why this is false🔽
(consider also: even if WIV had 100% leakage rate of every virus they had, scientists can still exclude SARS-CoV-2 came from the WIV given other lines of evidence)
MORE DEBUNK:
Sensationalist claims sweep around the globe and misinform people before the truth has a chance to get the boots on. This is intentional by motivated actors, right before an election on top of it all. Will people ever hear the corrections?
FIRST PUSH TO CORRECT:
@propublica is now starting to fact-check its own flawed story, secretly pulling in professional translators to check the serious errors of translation.
Shouldn't that happen BEFORE writing and amplifying political propaganda?
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