Thread by @MsEntropy

Let's talk media culpability, QAnon, Neo Nazis (and assorted other extremists) in relation to the debates about platforming vs. deplatforming for a second, y'all.

(Sidenote: Christian's 200% right here)

https://twitter.com/cpicciolini/status/1367544910870695944

There's a world of difference between deplatforming small, private Nazi Telegram channels (for example) and deplatforming major far-right extremist individuals on establishment media networks with massive reach.

#2 is WAY more critical - no contest at all.

Keep in mind the cliche but true axiom:

Publicity is oxygen for terrorism.

I'm going to link some related threads here.

Summary:

Deplatforming and banning small, private channels like Nazi Telegram is disastrous. It deprives researchers and LEOs critical data - while the reach is so small that media publicity isn't at issue.

https://twitter.com/MsEntropy/status/1359707809676283907

Thread 2:

Major establishment media have an enormous amount of culpability for amplifying Neo Nazis like Richard Spencer.

They helped the alt-right launder white supremacy allllll the way to the White House.

And they never learn - because... profit.

https://twitter.com/MsEntropy/status/1348744876733599747

Thread #3: What do I mean, media never learns (doesn't care)?

Well, they amplified Richard Spencer, and in the process - ignored all the lessons of Tom Metzger and White Aryan Resistance way back in the early 1980s.

They. Helped.

https://twitter.com/MsEntropy/status/1352758325687947264?s=20

Why does the media give Neo Nazis a voice, despite a long and clear history of What Happens Next?

Because, kids, contemporary media's foundation is no longer "truth to power." It's: 1) profit and 2) access to the powerful.

This is a broken system, and it's dangerous.

Thread #4 - What's a tangible example of the connection between media profit margin motivations and platforming Neo Nazis, conspiracy theorists, etc.?

Glad you asked!

Paywalls ensure that disinfo and propaganda spread with a lethal quickness. Ban them.

https://twitter.com/MsEntropy/status/1348107247176437763

Tom Metzger's successful exploitation of media desire for sensationalism in the late 70s / early 80s wasn't even the beginning of the extremely obvious lesson:

"Why Platforming Neo Nazis Is Bad."

Y'all heard of George Lincoln Rockwell? No? Well, you're about to now.

George Lincoln Rockwell founded the American Nazi Party at the end of the 1950s/beginning of the 1960s.

He pioneered "stunts" to gain media attention, and brazenly wore swastikas, praised Hitler, etc. for the same reason.

He built on the model of Gerald Smith in the 1940s.

ALREADY by the 1940s, leaders of the American Jewish community pioneered a strategy of "quarantine" to deal with Gerald Smith.

And they resurrected it for George Lincoln Rockwell.

His support? Never topped around 100 people.

I'll add to this thematic thread later, and focus more on the original American Nazi "shock jock" George Lincoln Rockwell later.

Getting sick last week screwed me; trying to meet overdue deadlines now.

Bye for the moment!