Listen to a reading of this article: ❖ Journalist Jonathan Cook has a new blog post out on his experience with being throttled into invisibility by Silicon Valley algorithmic suppression that will ring all too familiar for any online content creators who've been sufficiently critical of official western narratives over the last few years.
One of the most chilling things my blue check family-member said to me is, "The Internet is a cesspool!" It's no great stretch to see the same logic applied to a library or to a bookstore, yet I'm certain he still considers himself as upholding the best liberal ideals of decency and fair-play. Such is the power of propaganda.
Of course, this disappearing act is nothing new. It's been going on for years for those of us who criticize Israel's apartheid government.
The notion, that we've seen this escalate in intentionally obvious steps: David Brock's Correct The Record (blacklisted journalists, trolled blogs, incarcerated whistleblowers). Then Bezos' WaPo (Ukraine nazi, CAP & Atlantic Council) Prop'RNot neo-McCarthyite meets Google/ YouTube, Twitter & FaceBook SEO-ing nascent FACT down the memory hole, on OUR internet. We were RooskiBot BernieBro BLM Antifas FOR Trump, if we disliked having our vote, our choice, ANY say taken from us. The "coup" was INSIDE The US Capitol Building. The "insurrection" was four decades ago. We lost!
So true. I only know Facebook. A post on daily life gets a bunch of reactions. A post sharing counter narrative information on the pandemic either gets removed, or crickets.
“The goal is to normalize internet censorship, whether or not you like the controversial person being banded is irrelevant”, the point is internet censorship is our undoing and the tool of our oppressors.
Caitlin is our leader yes? Her’s is an honest inquiry and it is our habit and pleasure to sup at her table, receive her wisdom, yes?
What does this piece, Caitlin’s analysis, portend for your understanding of Trump? What should we conclude? Where you aghast at Trump, do you now rethink what his presidency means. Not him, he was a doufus, the fact of an unauthorized person winning that office. An unauthorized President!
The cascade of lies and censorship that resulted is fearsome and the real nature of America has been laid bare, the Orange one reordered the world as no one has since FDR. His affect, no doubt your concern, was altogether needed, it’s to complicated, altogether opaque this the reality of power but we knew, we intuited it, their lies were felt more than understood and along came the bloviating monster transgressing all that is decent and we flocked to him. An ignoramus stands between us and the prospect of total control, yes he will fail, the die is cast, they will win, but for now we can still rage against the dying light - the dream that was America.
No word here on whether you're rethinking your position of continuing to play a rigged game on medium/twitter/facebook etc. I think your arguments are reasonable but maybe not right given the numbers Jonathon and others are providing. You're probably also underestimating your own impact on your reader's habits, and consequent potential to hollow out the censorious platforms by your departure. The Rogan numbers are illustrative. There are doubtless many apolitical users that will stay on facebook etc. regardless but they may actually be a minority, and it looks like you won't really be allowed to talk to them regardless.
Damn...going after Kyle as only slightly left-of-center. I mean, he'd disagree with your assessment of him. I, however, don't. He's just as much the problem as he is the solution.
Yes, I am reconciled to the fact I will never get more than about two dozen readers for my own blogging project until alternative vectors are available. But I will keep trying. https://yaxls.wordpress.com/
Your journalism is a breath of fresh air. No hidden agenda. The facts can’t be questioned when real life examples are held directly in your face. Social media platforms seem to give the impression of free speech, but in reality, do the opposite. Some big wig with enough power and money to hire algorithm creators…gets the final word. Social media platforms are a lot easier to speak your peace on…than giving a live speech on tv. Free speech isn’t free when it’s being immediately “approved” for distribution. Think about it. How many networks/people have the ability to go live on television?…”live streams” are controlled by the algorithm and who you are “friends” with. False sense of free speech.
Great post. Internet censorship has become so insidious that most people who subscribe to the mainstream view, believe it doesn't exist! At least, not in the freedom-loving west - our censors are the good kind, who only remove the kind of harmful disinformation that helps that dastardly cad Putin.
Big-tech censorship is often perceived by people who don't know they're being censored as shunning and ostracizing by their "fallowers" and, therefore, constitutes a form of psychological abuse.
You're whining about something you can do something about all by yourself. Stop supporting these moralistic monsters and get on with your life or would you rather have something to rail against. There are dozens of alternatives - use 'em.
One of the most chilling things my blue check family-member said to me is, "The Internet is a cesspool!" It's no great stretch to see the same logic applied to a library or to a bookstore, yet I'm certain he still considers himself as upholding the best liberal ideals of decency and fair-play. Such is the power of propaganda.
Of course, this disappearing act is nothing new. It's been going on for years for those of us who criticize Israel's apartheid government.
The notion, that we've seen this escalate in intentionally obvious steps: David Brock's Correct The Record (blacklisted journalists, trolled blogs, incarcerated whistleblowers). Then Bezos' WaPo (Ukraine nazi, CAP & Atlantic Council) Prop'RNot neo-McCarthyite meets Google/ YouTube, Twitter & FaceBook SEO-ing nascent FACT down the memory hole, on OUR internet. We were RooskiBot BernieBro BLM Antifas FOR Trump, if we disliked having our vote, our choice, ANY say taken from us. The "coup" was INSIDE The US Capitol Building. The "insurrection" was four decades ago. We lost!
make sure you do not contribute to the evil google and other silly-cons perpetrate.
BDS everyday. good for your soul, body, and wallet.
I have been a target of this since 2013 on all platforms.
So true. I only know Facebook. A post on daily life gets a bunch of reactions. A post sharing counter narrative information on the pandemic either gets removed, or crickets.
“The goal is to normalize internet censorship, whether or not you like the controversial person being banded is irrelevant”, the point is internet censorship is our undoing and the tool of our oppressors.
Caitlin is our leader yes? Her’s is an honest inquiry and it is our habit and pleasure to sup at her table, receive her wisdom, yes?
What does this piece, Caitlin’s analysis, portend for your understanding of Trump? What should we conclude? Where you aghast at Trump, do you now rethink what his presidency means. Not him, he was a doufus, the fact of an unauthorized person winning that office. An unauthorized President!
The cascade of lies and censorship that resulted is fearsome and the real nature of America has been laid bare, the Orange one reordered the world as no one has since FDR. His affect, no doubt your concern, was altogether needed, it’s to complicated, altogether opaque this the reality of power but we knew, we intuited it, their lies were felt more than understood and along came the bloviating monster transgressing all that is decent and we flocked to him. An ignoramus stands between us and the prospect of total control, yes he will fail, the die is cast, they will win, but for now we can still rage against the dying light - the dream that was America.
Fuck off, I’m for Trump.
Spot on, Caitlin!
No word here on whether you're rethinking your position of continuing to play a rigged game on medium/twitter/facebook etc. I think your arguments are reasonable but maybe not right given the numbers Jonathon and others are providing. You're probably also underestimating your own impact on your reader's habits, and consequent potential to hollow out the censorious platforms by your departure. The Rogan numbers are illustrative. There are doubtless many apolitical users that will stay on facebook etc. regardless but they may actually be a minority, and it looks like you won't really be allowed to talk to them regardless.
She is right. This censorship far worse than traditional forms for people do not know they are being cendored
Damn...going after Kyle as only slightly left-of-center. I mean, he'd disagree with your assessment of him. I, however, don't. He's just as much the problem as he is the solution.
Yes, I am reconciled to the fact I will never get more than about two dozen readers for my own blogging project until alternative vectors are available. But I will keep trying. https://yaxls.wordpress.com/
Your journalism is a breath of fresh air. No hidden agenda. The facts can’t be questioned when real life examples are held directly in your face. Social media platforms seem to give the impression of free speech, but in reality, do the opposite. Some big wig with enough power and money to hire algorithm creators…gets the final word. Social media platforms are a lot easier to speak your peace on…than giving a live speech on tv. Free speech isn’t free when it’s being immediately “approved” for distribution. Think about it. How many networks/people have the ability to go live on television?…”live streams” are controlled by the algorithm and who you are “friends” with. False sense of free speech.
How do we find each other online? Seems lonelier than ever, being a leftist in August 2023.
Great post. Internet censorship has become so insidious that most people who subscribe to the mainstream view, believe it doesn't exist! At least, not in the freedom-loving west - our censors are the good kind, who only remove the kind of harmful disinformation that helps that dastardly cad Putin.
I wrote a post somewhat related to this, in the context of the Ukraine war: https://alipmcg.substack.com/p/blinding-by-projection
Big-tech censorship is often perceived by people who don't know they're being censored as shunning and ostracizing by their "fallowers" and, therefore, constitutes a form of psychological abuse.
https://martintruther.substack.com/p/big-tech-censorship-using-algorithms?sd=pf
You're whining about something you can do something about all by yourself. Stop supporting these moralistic monsters and get on with your life or would you rather have something to rail against. There are dozens of alternatives - use 'em.