This was a really good discussion in general. But one thing that stood out to me, and one thing that drives me crazy, is the flood the zone disinformation tactic. That is, that people will just spit out lies and half-truths with such speed and impunity that an individual simply can't sort it out. It's not that they are stupid, but to figure out who is right or wrong would take a full-time job, so you just have to go with people you trust. And if someone posits themselves as someone with a simple and appealing worldview, they will be able to control that confusion so easily.

I have seen this with my conservative family. I have seen this with my leftist friends. They just don't trust anything anymore, but their populist demagogues on the right/left appeal to their sensibilities.

This was always true to some extent, but it's gotten so much worse and is completely out of control. I genuinely don't like self-serving thinking (i.e., I'm so much more rational and smarter than everyone else to fall for bullshit), but it drives me insane that hardly anyone understands the information sphere. I incredibly sympathize with Destiny's frustrations of being one of the only people online who get it. 

Idk how this is solved without a heavy crackdown and redefining what it means to have "free speech," especially online. I don't think it's a good idea to censor or start arresting people over their words online, but \*something\* has to be done. There's still so much pushback on these ideas, even from some people who agree that there's an issue.

I don't recall the discussion this was, but I remember Destiny told someone about his idea that politicians or people running for politics need to swear in that they will tell the truth whenever they go on a public program. The person he was talking to really disliked that solution. But then all that's going to happen is people will continue to lie and go on platforms that will let them lie, and the people who care about the truth and honesty will get punished for it, since they will be attacked and when they admit their mistakes and change their mind, their credibility will be hurt. Compared to the liars and/or populists who can retain the same position and walk out of it seeming more credible and dedicated. 

Shit is fucked man. I'm glad that this community exists because it genuinely seems like the only group that understands how the mechanics of all of this work. From my experience talking to people in real life about it, they get defensive about what information they consume or deny it. But this isn't even a partisan lib vs leftist/maga issue. It's a very bad societal issue that we *all* need to worry about. 

Anyway, I recommend listening to Destiny and Dalmia's conversation. Wish I could go to LibCon and see their planned panel live, but I'm too broke lol.

This was such a vindicating discussion, and it's so frustrating hardly anyone sees the tactic of making all information untrustworthy.