I've had three sharp reminders in the last week about how online filter bubbles work, and why, despite the sense that civil discourse is breaking down all over the place, online filter bubbles and flame wars are a good thing. Because they replace offline filter bubbles and real wars, which are far, far worse. Sometimes, when things get really toxic on social media, and the news media seems to be melting down into an incoherent pool of cluelessness, ignorance, rage-filled ranting, ideological derping, and everything except good journalism, it can seem like there is no hope for wisdom outpacing bullshit. This is exactly wrong. All these signs point unerringly to one conclusion, wisdom is in fact outpacing bullshit, and this is what it feels like. What is actually in decline is a false sense of security created by paternalistic forces that have gotten used to believing they know what's best for all.
Flame Wars Are a Good Thing
Flame Wars Are a Good Thing
Flame Wars Are a Good Thing
I've had three sharp reminders in the last week about how online filter bubbles work, and why, despite the sense that civil discourse is breaking down all over the place, online filter bubbles and flame wars are a good thing. Because they replace offline filter bubbles and real wars, which are far, far worse. Sometimes, when things get really toxic on social media, and the news media seems to be melting down into an incoherent pool of cluelessness, ignorance, rage-filled ranting, ideological derping, and everything except good journalism, it can seem like there is no hope for wisdom outpacing bullshit. This is exactly wrong. All these signs point unerringly to one conclusion, wisdom is in fact outpacing bullshit, and this is what it feels like. What is actually in decline is a false sense of security created by paternalistic forces that have gotten used to believing they know what's best for all.