For once we agree, BoJo
22/8/19 16:42![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
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talkpoliticshttps://www.reuters.com/article/us-britain-health/uks-johnson-slams-mumbo-jumbo-about-vaccines-after-measles-rates-rise-idUSKCN1V913I
Couldn't agree more with him on this. Anti-vaxxers need to be countered in a serious way. We're past the point where they were just a mere nuisance. Now they're costing lives. Measles has returned to the UK. Johnson is going as far as to call upon social networks to actively block anti-vaxxer bullshit.
Although I find this a bit ironic. You see, anti-vaxers are a part of the populist wave built upon the evil ideology of the denial of fact, truth and science. As are birthers, white supremacists and Brexit ideologues. All of these groups tell lies and create conspiracy theories with no basis in fact or science. They are all based upon the denial of science and expertise. The likes of Trump and Johnson himself thrive on their support and panders to them. But now, being pressed against the wall by the impending health-care headache that Britain has dug itself into, the latter is forced to resort to... defense of facts? Hmmm. Bit too late perhaps, Boris? You can't actively be working to undermine trust in reality, and THEN rely that people would trust facts when it comes to health. You can't have it both ways!
On a side note, I wonder when we can start suing websites and posters who spread disinformation about vaccines, in the same way anyone publishing a book about it could be held accountable? I mean, a few multi-billion dollar lawsuits through the courts by impacted families should do the trick. Those that spread hearsay and downright lies should be accountable; their nonsense does have an effect on society, it has now even started costing lives. As for the social networks blocking and banning accounts spreading disinformation, well... Tricky stuff there. Freedom of speech, and all that. Your thoughts?
Couldn't agree more with him on this. Anti-vaxxers need to be countered in a serious way. We're past the point where they were just a mere nuisance. Now they're costing lives. Measles has returned to the UK. Johnson is going as far as to call upon social networks to actively block anti-vaxxer bullshit.
Although I find this a bit ironic. You see, anti-vaxers are a part of the populist wave built upon the evil ideology of the denial of fact, truth and science. As are birthers, white supremacists and Brexit ideologues. All of these groups tell lies and create conspiracy theories with no basis in fact or science. They are all based upon the denial of science and expertise. The likes of Trump and Johnson himself thrive on their support and panders to them. But now, being pressed against the wall by the impending health-care headache that Britain has dug itself into, the latter is forced to resort to... defense of facts? Hmmm. Bit too late perhaps, Boris? You can't actively be working to undermine trust in reality, and THEN rely that people would trust facts when it comes to health. You can't have it both ways!
On a side note, I wonder when we can start suing websites and posters who spread disinformation about vaccines, in the same way anyone publishing a book about it could be held accountable? I mean, a few multi-billion dollar lawsuits through the courts by impacted families should do the trick. Those that spread hearsay and downright lies should be accountable; their nonsense does have an effect on society, it has now even started costing lives. As for the social networks blocking and banning accounts spreading disinformation, well... Tricky stuff there. Freedom of speech, and all that. Your thoughts?
(no subject)
Date: 22/8/19 15:50 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 22/8/19 18:31 (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 23/8/19 06:01 (UTC)