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In the infamous Georgia call, Trump refers to manipulated videos, "trending on the Internet", as evidence for his claims.
At one point, Raffensperger even calls him out explicitly on this: "Mr. President, the problem you have with social media, they — people can say anything" https://twitter.com/levie/status/1347013200466698241
At one point, Raffensperger even calls him out explicitly on this: "Mr. President, the problem you have with social media, they — people can say anything" https://twitter.com/levie/status/1347013200466698241
At the time, I found Trump's reply to be really strange. He responds, "This isn't social media. This is Trump media."
But I think I'm beginning to understand. This is not "misinformation". No one made a mistake or misjudgment. It's disinformation - there is intent to deceive.
But I think I'm beginning to understand. This is not "misinformation". No one made a mistake or misjudgment. It's disinformation - there is intent to deceive.
At another point in the call, someone reveals the role of Trump's own campaign in the creation & dissemination of this false information to his base. As an individual, he may be some kind of victim, but it's quite clear at least some of the lies are part of their defense strategy
The demand to "find" more votes became the story, but it's clear that his team's willingness to intentionally break from reality in order to protect him is the core of what's happening.
The few that picked up on that then were told they're overreacting. https://mobile.twitter.com/oneunderscore__/status/1345845523920678918
The few that picked up on that then were told they're overreacting. https://mobile.twitter.com/oneunderscore__/status/1345845523920678918
I will be the first to say I wish tech had nothing to do with this. But this truly isn't a "why does tech always have to make it about themselves" situation. The fact is, his team had the intent to deceive - tech gave them the leverage to seed & strengthen rumors fed to his base.
It's unreal but these platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, etc.) *are* complicit - they have a role here. Those with the intent to deceive & incite violence should not be supported to do so and do so without any consequences or accountability - on the platform or otherwise.
Yes, the robber is ultimately responsible. Sure, you can blame someone for leaving the door open. But who's to blame if the door doesn't have a lock in the first place? If there's no security system at all? Maybe the one that built the house, making everyone inside it vulnerable.
That's where we are at with social media platforms right now - I wish people were explicit about this in their calls for the tech industry to do better.
Never been more grateful to @camillefrancois, @BostonJoan & others who saw this ticking bomb for what it was from the start.
Never been more grateful to @camillefrancois, @BostonJoan & others who saw this ticking bomb for what it was from the start.
