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Phumzile Van Damme

@zilevandamme

Nov 29

1. Why is there so much denial of the genocide in Palestine on social media, despite overwhelming evidence thereof? The answer lies not in a lack of proof, but in deeply entrenched cognitive biases that dehumanise the people of Palestine. Facts struggle against hate. A 🧵🪡

2. Facts alone cannot overcome cognitive biases, especially when they challenge deep ideologies or moral self-perceptions. Genocide denialism thrives not on ignorance but on the rejection of uncomfortable truths. Denial of the genocide in Palestine is no exception.

3. Cognitive dissonance fuels denial further. Supporting human rights while ignoring the genocide in Palestine creates discomfort. Instead of confronting complicity, many rationalise violence or cling to narratives that protect their worldview, even at the cost of truth.

Read 8 tweets

Phumzile Van Damme

@zilevandamme

Aug 4

Part 2: The Digital Xenophobia Movement and Foreign Influence Operations (FIO)

An EXTREMELY long thread. 🧵🪡

1. At the get, I must make this clear. There are people with legitimate concerns about illegal immigration. That is not the issue of contention here. The issue is with those who use those legitimate concerns to polarize, destabilize SA, spread hate speech & incite violence

2. That is my quibble: hate speech & incitement of violence – illegal conduct in the common law. And in a country founded on the protection of human rights for all within its borders, including immigrants, legal or not, it is abhorrent & must be condemned. Many have.

Read 33 tweets

Phumzile Van Damme

@zilevandamme

Aug 1

The Genesis of Xenophobia Social Media Influence Operation and its impact, a thread. The why, who, and how.🧵🪡

This will be an extremely long thread that might upset some parties and “movements.” I'm generally unphased by Twitter mob attacks. Go for it. The truth is the truth.

1. On an occasion such as this, we should, perhaps, start from the beginning. So, let me begin. I am an African, as Mbeki once said. The serious point of what has become "digital xenophobia," is that it is mostly against African foreign nationals. It is so saddening.

2. I could discuss the psychology behind this, but that’s opinion. I’m here for cold, hard facts—data and numbers. Before diving into the evidence, let me explain how the data around "digital xenophobia" is collected and analyzed - through SMA (Social Media Analytics)

Read 34 tweets

Phumzile Van Damme

@zilevandamme

Jul 27

I asked ChatGPT to describe your favorite politicians, except make it funny. The point was to see whether it could still “roast,” a prompt removed early on. Herewith, ChatGPT roasting your faves, but still nice.

A thread of kind (ish) roasts. 🪡🧵

1. Steenhuisen:

John Steenhuisen is like the perennial high school class president who just never left the student council. Picture this: a guy with the energy of a motivational speaker, the charisma of your overly enthusiastic uncle at a family reunion, and a passion for politics that makes him the designated driver of the Democratic Alliance (DA) in South Africa. He's the guy who probably color-codes his socks and has a detailed five-year plan for his houseplants. When he's not busy rallying for the DA, you can imagine him practicing his speeches in front of a mirror, with a fervor that could put a Shakespearean actor to shame. In the world of South African politics, John Steenhuisen is the organized, slightly nerdy hero we didn't know we needed, but definitely got.

2. Malema:

Julius Malema is like the rockstar of South African politics, complete with the charisma, controversy, and unpredictability of a headline act. Imagine a politician who wields his red beret like a magician's hat, pulling out fiery speeches and bold declarations with the flair of a stage performer. He's got the energy of a political dynamo and the audacity to match—kind of like if Che Guevara and Kanye West had a love child who decided to lead a revolution. Whether he's calling for radical change or stirring up a media storm, Julius is the master of keeping everyone on their toes. In the theater of South African politics, he's the lead actor in a drama that’s always one tweet away from trending.

Read 16 tweets

Phumzile Van Damme

@zilevandamme

Jul 24

I’m on a road trip and I’m trying not to fall asleep. I’m obvs a passenger.

Time for a ridiculously long thread again. This time we’re talking definitions of social media manipulation tactics often use by parties, companies, foreign influence ops etc.

A 🧵🪡

1. As a start, this is a constantly evolving field, and the terminology changes because tactics change. Sometimes, there isn’t agreement on definitions. For example, fun fact: there is no real agreement in academia on what AI is and should be. But we move.

2. Disinformation: false information that is deliberately created or disseminated with the express purpose to cause harm. Producers of disinformation typically have political, financial, psychological or social motivations.

Read 17 tweets

Phumzile Van Damme

@zilevandamme

Jun 23

Let me let you into a secret. I probably shouldn’t because it’ll result in them toning this behaviour down. But, I think the abject lack of self-awareness will not make this happen for some. I’m throwing caution into the wind. Also, nice people don’t gatekeep.

You can tell a lot about the DA is thinking from various accounts. It is 99.9% correct. Also, I suppose I can discern this because I know all these people and their psychology very well.

- Gareth van Onselen is its inclination to assume everyone is stupid. That confidence as competence. That mediocre. That insecure. He gives a lot of insight into where that aspect of its personality is at - the petulant toddler
- Ryan Coetzee is cool, rational and EQ. Measured, smart, cautious, strategic. He’s the adult. He makes the most sense. He is not irksome.
- Leon Schreiber is John’s mind and the latest DA spin on the newest topic on which it has shot its foot.
- John is smart enough not to run his account. Listen to his interviews
- Helen’s actions are so predictable. She's a combination of the other three.

Exhibit A. The ANC is stupid.

Exhibit B. Cool, calm, no gloating.

Read 6 tweets

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