Thread by @PhilippMarkolin

NEW EXCLUSIVE from me:

#Distort, #discredit, #dismiss - 6 additional tactics of media manipulators and why they work to sabotage public discourse

Read:
protagonistfuture.substack.com/p/distort-disc…

Details follow:
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Anti-science activism never went away, it got a new ugly face in the #information age:

Quacks, gurus, contrarian doctors, fake experts, influencers, political commentators and similar media manipulators.

Previously we looked at "merchants of #doubt"

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https://twitter.com/PhilippMarkolin/status/1630947173473959940

Today, we take a look at the "merchants of #ambiguity"

Their overarching goal is to create the perception that scientific issues are either eternally #unresolved or that #alternative interpretations are just as plausible or likely.

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First up, we have the civility #crusaders.

Why are we #polite? How can our social expectations be used against us? Why is framing #legitimate scientific criticism as a #personal attack a tactic that works?

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Second, we investigate uncertainty #inflaters.

Our brains generalize & try to avoid #uncertainty, yet dealing with uncertainty is part of the scientific process. How can manipulators #exploit this rift between scientific practice and our preference?

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Third, we look at a certain breed of back-to-nature #zealots.

We humans value nature for many beautiful reasons, yet how can this makes us #susceptible to anti-scientific theories and false #appeals from manipulators?

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Fourth, the obnoxious faux-persecuted #truthtellers.

We have a soft spot for the #underdog, and casting suspicions against an "establishment, mainstream or elite" narrative is a great #marketing trick for manipulators. But why is this tactic problematic for discourse?

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Fifths, we question the counterfeit #freedom fighters.

We humans value our freedom and react badly on perceived #repressions. But what if our reactance can be cultivated and #weaponized all too easily by manipulators?

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Sixth, we check out the gish-galloping #whataboutists.

Whataboutisms appeal to our sense of #fairness and consistency. How can they be abused by manipulators to #discredit, sabotage or #divert conversations?

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If you are tired, like most of us, from being manipulated, please take a look at my article.

Here is also a free medium version if you are not a fan of substack:
protagonist-science.medium.com/distort-discre…

If you are a science educator, or just want to use some of the resources, feel free.

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High resolution images and pdf of the infographics (#GMO, #vaccine, #abortion, #evolution, #climate, #lableak versions) can be found & downloaded for free at:
protagonistfuture.substack.com/p/distort-disc…

You can build upon, modify, use it as you please.
If you do, please reference the source

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I hope these resources help us all to make sense of our chaotic online environment, #protect us against being #manipulated, improve our media #literacy, and renew our #commitment to truth and intellectual rigor.

Please share and let me know your thoughts.