Issue 42 - Manufactured Ignorance

Welcome to issue 42! The answer to life, the universe, and everything! That’s the easy part. The real challenge is understanding what the question is. We’re still working on that. Stay tuned.

Speaking of the answer, fancy a salon? It’s been a while since we’ve held one of our salons. Let’s gather toward the end of August to reconnect and reflect in advance of what is shaping up to be a sensational fall. Do you have a topic or theme that you’d like us to get into? Please let us know, and we’ll include details in our next issue.

Table of Contents

• Manufactured Ignorance

• The Power of Words

• Is the AI Bubble about to Burst?

• YouTube on TikTok?

• PAGAN - People Against Greed and Normalcy

• There are no Heroes in US Politics

Manufactured Ignorance

Increasingly it feels as if we’re being drowned in an near endless supply of manufactured ignorance.

Conspiracy theories, wellness scams, political spin, manipulative marketing, and just plain old advertising. Everywhere you go it is easy to find examples of ignorance that was manufactured deliberately and would not exist had someone not decided to create it. Whether for profit or for fun, there are a wide range of incentives and rewards for people to make and distribute ignorance.

This is most evident on social media, where if you scroll enough, you’ll find ample examples of ignorance proudly presented as knowledge or opinion. The commonality amidst this material, is that almost all of it is engineered for the algorithm. Designed to get attention and amplification, where the actual content is secondary. Yet even though the medium is the message, the content still matters, when the goal is to create and spread ignorance.

To study the manufacturing of ignorance, is to practice Agnotology. A growing field no doubt. The classic case example is that of the tobacco industry, as well as the decades long campaign by the fossil fuel industry to minimize and marginalize efforts to understand and adapt to climate change.

However all of this fails to address what should be done about it? Some in the UK are wondering this after a rash of racist and fascist violence that many connect to far right influencers.

Is education and more media literacy the answer? Depends really, but it’s also easy to argue that the ignorance industry is built upon media literacy. We all want more critical thinking, as long as it’s not directed at us right?

Dialogue and conversation certainly seems to be another potential solution, but that also seems rare in the world of hot takes and passionate spin. Why talk when you can shout!

The consequence of all this manufacturing is that it is increasingly difficult to determine what is worth believing and what is not. Perhaps in the end we acknowledge that truth never existed, and that life is about choosing which lies you like, and which lies you don’t like.

For a more earnest answer, here’s a video featuring brother Chomsky (who apparently needs to change the battery in his fire alarm) talking about manufactured ignorance.

The Power of Words

If the rule of the jungle is eat or be eaten, then the rule of human society is define or be defined. If money is king, then it is narrative, or stories, that facilitate the flow of money.

That’s the argument articulated in the video below, that makes a compelling argument as to why the genocide in Gaza is able to continue without greater objection from people who live in “democratic” countries.

@tiwtchy.witch

We often underestimate that the stories we tell have tremendous power, especially when it comes to shaping our reality and framing what is possible or impossible.

Gil Duran who we’ve mentioned repeatedly, wrote recently about the embrace of crypto by the Trump campaign:

However a key mistake Gil makes is to repeat the cliché that Bitcoin is worthless, or a scam, or fake money. Granted he puts these descriptions in quotes, yet it still repeats and reinforces this oppositional and arguably ineffective narrative.

Crypto currencies are valuable, and have power, because of the story they offer users and investors. It doesn’t matter if this story is fiction or not, the belief in it, and distribution of it, reinforces the power and world view behind it.

This is where we agree with the analysis that suggests crypto is a currency for an emerging authoritarian regime that is based on deception and exploitation. It is a mistake to dismiss the power of that narrative, and the wealth that said narrative is facilitating.

Is the AI Bubble about to Burst?

There are growing signs in the stock markets and the economy as a whole that the AI bubble may be on the verge of bursting. Ed Zitron has written a lengthy and extensive analysis of what is happening, why, and what may happen next. While it is a long read, it contains a number of sharp indictments, like this one:

If you want to get the gist of Ed’s argument you can peruse his thread from X:

And as a sign of the times, here’s a story about Waymo self-driving cars arguing with each other every night in their parking lot:

The Woke Mind Virus

In light of the evidence, it becomes apparent that the notion of a “woke mind virus” is not just scientifically unfounded but also paradoxical. Those who fervently employ this term to criticize and marginalize social justice advocates may themselves be demonstrating the very cognitive impairments caused by COVID.

This irony underscores a deeper truth: the real virus, COVID, with its documented neurological and emotional impacts, is diminishing our collective capacity for empathy, patience, and understanding. It is a sobering reminder of how misinformation and misattribution can cloud our judgment, diverting attention from genuine health concerns to baseless political rhetoric. Recognizing this paradox is crucial as we strive for a more informed and compassionate discourse in addressing both the physical and societal repercussions of the pandemic.

YouTube on TikTok?

We spend a lot of time on TikTok. It really is the best platform around when it comes to getting news, knowledge, and intelligence, not to mention entertainment. It also inadvertently captures the feeling of the peak channel surfing era, as browsing TikTok is a lot like switching channels back and forth as the algorithm intersperses content to keep your interest.

Lately one creator has caught our attention, Logan, who has the user name Logagm, loves cucumbers. He has over 4.7 million followers who love his videos where he makes cucumbers. Here’s the one that first caught our attention:

@logagm

Sometimes you need to eat an entire cucumber

If like us, your garden has produced a bounty of cucumbers, then Logan has all sorts of recipes to help you eat them all.

So where does YouTube come in? As the algorithm served up all sorts of Logan content, this particular video seemed peculiar:

@youtube

how long can you watch this before cucumber no longer feels like a real word @logagm #cucumber #supercut #words #nothingisreal

Turns out that YouTube has an account on TikTok. No surprise that they’re there, but what they’re doing with this account is interesting. They’re not promoting YouTube per se, but are rather they’re curating top content from TikTok. As if they’re role modelling a smart method of using their competitor. Definitely worth keeping an eye on as TikTok and YouTube rise to own and compete over the future of TV as we know it.

PAGAN - People Against Greed and Normalcy

Welcome to the PAGAN Network, where we challenge the mundane and resist the grip of greed. Imagine a world where every person thrives, not just survives, where creativity and cooperation trump profit and power. Our network is built on the joy of collaboration and the belief that together, we can craft a more just and vibrant society.

At PAGAN, we celebrate the thrill of collective action and the magic of diversity. We reject the monotonous march of normalcy that stifles innovation and individuality. Our network is a kaleidoscope of unique voices and talents, each contributing to a shared dream of a world where compassion and equity reign supreme. We invite you to join us on this exhilarating journey toward a future where everyone has the opportunity to live a fulfilling and meaningful life.

1. Economic Justice: Picture a marketplace bustling with local cooperatives where profits are shared and everyone earns a fair wage. We envision an economic system that prioritizes people over profit, like community gardens and cooperative businesses that benefit everyone involved.

2. Democratizing Local Networks: Imagine neighborhood assemblies where everyone's voice is heard, and decisions are made collectively. Local communities should control their destinies, fostering responsive and inclusive governance, like a town hall where every resident has a say.

3. Ecological Responsibility: Visualize thriving green spaces, clean rivers, and air so fresh it invigorates your spirit. We advocate for sustainable practices, such as community-led recycling programs and urban farming projects that nourish both people and the planet.

4. Education for All: Envision free libraries, community workshops, and open-source online courses available to everyone. Education should be accessible and inspiring, fostering a lifelong love of learning, from coding classes for kids to free public lectures for adults.

5. Universal Participatory Healthcare: Think of a health clinic run by the community, where everyone contributes and benefits. We demand a healthcare system that provides high-quality care for all, without financial barriers, ensuring wellness through communal effort.

6. Freedom of Expression: Imagine a world where street art blooms on every corner and local theaters burst with original plays. We celebrate artistic and personal expression in all its forms, creating a vibrant culture of creativity and free speech.

7. Empathy and Co-operative Care: Picture a neighborhood where people look out for one another, sharing resources and support. We believe in the power of communities to care for each other, from food-sharing networks to community support groups.

8. Participatory Cultures: Envision festivals, hackathons, and communal projects where everyone gets involved. We advocate for active, hands-on participation in creating the world we want, celebrating the collective power to shape our future.

9. Equality and Inclusion: Imagine a society where differences are celebrated, and everyone is welcomed. We strive to create inclusive spaces where all people are valued and respected, from diverse workplaces to inclusive community events.

10. Joyful Resistance: Picture a protest march that feels like a street party, filled with music and laughter. Our movement is about more than struggle; it's about celebrating life and finding joy in our shared journey. Together, we can create a world filled with hope, laughter, and love.

The PAGAN Network is a decentralized collective with tens of thousands of participants. We operate without centralized leadership, fostering autonomy and self-organization within our ranks. Each member is encouraged to start their own node, developing unique initiatives that align with our shared principles. As your node grows and flourishes, the broader network will reach out, integrating your efforts into our vibrant, ever-expanding tapestry of resistance and renewal. Welcome to PAGAN—where the extraordinary happens every day.

There are no Heroes in US Politics

This is a great argument that explains why people are so alienated from contemporary politics:

@alloramomo

Pitching the US Elections as a TV Show #political #funny #shortfilm #sketch #elections #biden