Breaking the Echo Chamber: Combating Misinformation and Toxic Behaviors in the Hunting and Shooting Community

[GSPHUNTER]

Do not believe anything on social media, it's all pure B S. Except for Rockslide.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Well that was 10 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

 

[Ucsdryder]

Well that was 10 minutes of my life I'll never get back.

It took you 10 minutes to read that?

 

[NRA4LIFE]

I'm a bit slow.

 

[Petey308]

Agree.


Much of the value of being aware of things like this is not to look for them in others, but rather to look for them in our own actions. Some things (confirmation bias, Dunning-Kruger effect to list two) are pretty universal to the point one could say they are hard wired in the brain. They surve a purpose, but we must learn to spot them in our own behavior and work with it.

I say work with it because eliminating it is a fools errand and believing we have done so and are logical creatures requires us to forgo self analysis. But, we can acknowledge them, and make a point of stepping back and analyzing our own behavior in situations, as well as build in safe mechanisms into our behavior.

When people start dogmatically applying parts of this to others in a blanket sort of way (which has already been demonstrated in this thread), it becames one more weapon of coercion against an idea, and a bullwark to protect us from actually engaging when faced with cognitive dissonance.

Yes, the main goal in the writeup is mainly just to spread awareness and get people thinking. It’s never going to be an overnight change and these are indeed human traits that are unlikely to really ever change. All we can do is be aware of it and take that awareness into how we react to it.

In the end, people are obviously still going to behave however they want. A lot won’t even bother to read the whole writeup or properly comprehend it, which is not meant as an insult, but rather just the way it is. It’s not for everyone and no one is pushing it down anyone’s throat.

Ok, carry on.

 

[NDGuy]

Do not believe anything on social media

Definitely, I get all my news from the Rogan Podcast

 

[FuddRucker]

Propaganda was figured out well before the early 1900s.

Go back to pre printing press days. Only the rich and connected had access to books and literacy. It was used to manipulate and control people. One of the most notable instances was with the Bible. Once it was translated, distributed and more and more people became literate, many churches/governments fell from power because people were able to determine what it really said versus what they were told it said.

What is happening today is not new. What is new is the speed at which it is happening and the reach it has. There are pros and cons to it though.


All I am saying is that the world has seen big changes before and we adapted and lived through them. With those changes came good and bad. There are points on both sides to whether the positives out weigh the negatives and the other way around. Access and the ability for anyone to provide information allows for a lot of bullshit to be spewed. Little to no access and ability for anyone to provide information allows for a lot of bullshit to be spewed. Catch 22.

Sure, but I mean modern "mass propaganda" the likes of Edward Bernays. During the period I'm referring to propaganda became more technical (along with everything else) with professionals focused on developing effective means for messaging and coordinating groups much larger than the size of countries during pre-literate, and pre-democratic, times without direct force (which was still at play during the times you're referring). The printing press was one big jump, but there was a step-change in the intentionality and means of propaganda distribution during the early 20th century. Rich people peddling influence has always been a thing, of course. Nothing new under the sun. Formalizing techniques of propaganda aided by novel forms of media/communication is what was different.

Here's a link to Bernays' book for anyone interested: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.275553/page/n18/mode/1up

 

[CorbLand]

Sure, but I mean modern "mass propaganda" the likes of Edward Bernays. During the period I'm referring to propaganda became more technical (along with everything else) with professionals focused on developing effective means for messaging and coordinating groups much larger than the size of countries during pre-literate, and pre-democratic, times without direct force (which was still at play during the times you're referring). The printing press was one big jump, but there was a step-change in the intentionality and means of propaganda distribution during the early 20th century. Rich people peddling influence has always been a thing, of course. Nothing new under the sun. Formalizing techniques of propaganda aided by novel forms of media/communication is what was different.

Here's a link to Bernays' book for anyone interested: https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.275553/page/n18/mode/1up

That book sounds interesting. Thanks.

 

[TaperPin]

I belly ache a lot, but it’s with a smile on my face - we’re lucky to have a good variety of viewpoints, cult vs non cult, ages from toddler to Father Time, rabid chihuahua to old lab with bad hips, and variety in all the other demographics. If we’re too much alike, it would be boring like a Hallmark movie, but without the hot wholesome chick.

I’m happy to hear ideas from the view of younger generations, and it’s fun to see guys put a lot of thought and effort into long range shooting. I’ve softened some long held beliefs and even have a fast twist barrel or two to try new bullets with. Some good natured jabs always help clarify ideas - the new good ideas will rise to the top if old guys like it or not. I’d mis some of the echo chambers, and the strong personalities help make it interesting.

 

[fngTony]

Do not believe anything on social media, it's all pure B S. Except for Rockslide.

Except you spelled it wrong so now we can’t believe you either

It took you 10 minutes to read that?

I’m triggered and emotionally damaged.