Timothy Snyder calls them Internet Triggers.
He explains that they're bad for democracy because they prevent us from thinking complex thoughts.
People see these Triggers on social media because they are directed at them. . .
He explains that they're bad for democracy because they prevent us from thinking complex thoughts.
People see these Triggers on social media because they are directed at them. . .
https://twitter.com/DaveAFGE/status/1490488463820349440
This happens partly because of algorithms and partly because you tend to follow accounts that have built your trust by tweeting things you agree with.
People mindlessly repeat these triggers. They are then transformed into "repeaters of targeted memes" . . .
People mindlessly repeat these triggers. They are then transformed into "repeaters of targeted memes" . . .
Snyder finds this terrifying because democracy depends on us having “some sense of time beyond our immediate outrage.”
A good example would be Tweeting this ⤵️after 768 indictments as part of an ongoing investigation during a pandemic. . . .
A good example would be Tweeting this ⤵️after 768 indictments as part of an ongoing investigation during a pandemic. . . .
At best, it's a sloppy use of language. He probably didn't mean "there should be indictments."
He probably meant, "there is a particular indictment I am waiting for."
But is it really an indictment he wants?
The tweet (32.9K likes!) induces rage but really means nothing.
He probably meant, "there is a particular indictment I am waiting for."
But is it really an indictment he wants?
The tweet (32.9K likes!) induces rage but really means nothing.
Some drivers of this should know better but talk off the top of their heads.
Some like the attention and/or profit from clicks.
Some are clueless, but have large accounts for reasons other than a nuanced understanding of what Rule of Law actually means.
Some like the attention and/or profit from clicks.
Some are clueless, but have large accounts for reasons other than a nuanced understanding of what Rule of Law actually means.
https://twitter.com/KatreenaAranda/status/1490491957793243139
Snyder also talks about how, in Orwell’s 1984, the fictionalized totalitarian government worked on reducing the number of words in the language.
Having each of us become repeaters of Internet Triggers accomplishes the same thing by reducing our ability to have complex thoughts.
Having each of us become repeaters of Internet Triggers accomplishes the same thing by reducing our ability to have complex thoughts.
Here's how I experience these Internet Triggers.
Leading up to the 2020 election, I knew that if I Tweeted ideas for how to turn out the vote, hoards of people tell me there was no point. They'd cite "elections experts" . . .
Leading up to the 2020 election, I knew that if I Tweeted ideas for how to turn out the vote, hoards of people tell me there was no point. They'd cite "elections experts" . . .
. . . who said it was super easy to flip votes. They then called me naive for believing that their votes would count.
Now I know that if I Tweet about the ongoing investigation, people will respond with "what is taking so long," or "Garland is corrupt and doing nothing."
Now I know that if I Tweet about the ongoing investigation, people will respond with "what is taking so long," or "Garland is corrupt and doing nothing."
This short thread on Internet Triggers dovetails with the blog post I did this weekend:
https://twitter.com/Teri_Kanefield/status/1490459852660871170
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