Reminder that fascists believe whatever is convenient for their goals at the time and are utterly unbothered by people pointing out inconsistencies or hypocrisy in their actions, statements, policies, or ideology
@eniko Exactly. One of the reasons it's going so well for them is that even the parts of the press that aren't bought & muzzled by some fascist-happy billionaire are still full of journalists who apparently learned in journo school that digging for - or even outright fabricating - politician inconsistencies is the entire job...

@jwcph @eniko As someone who works in this field? This tracks way too hard. It's also what generates a ton of clicks, thus ad revenue, thus keeping the doors open.

When you do actually research or discuss tougher topics, people simply don't read them. It's something to be extremely concerned about.

@literalgrill @eniko "People will only read lies & nonsense" is, to put it plainly, a bullshit excuse, which the press has used for literally generations when justifying not doing their actual 4th Estate job. It just isn't true that people don't read the "tougher" content - but even when people read it, it's less profitable in terms of ad revenue than clickbait, so... a business decision is made to chip away at the foundations of civilization for the immediate bottom line.

@jwcph @eniko Okay yes, people do literally read them, but it is literally 100 to 20,000+ difference in clicks between the garbage and good stuff. I literally get to see the numbers for the job.

I just want to make it clear I absolutely agree with you that doing things this way is horrendous. Suggesting things are done differently just tends to get people fired.

I don't know how to fix this problem outside of honestly no longer having capitalism in any capacity. Until then, folks who need food on their tables, especially disabled and marginalized people in most of these low paying writing jobs because they can't do much else are trapped to keep making it worse. When freelancers have to put out countless articles a day just to barely get by they're going to take the easy route every time and I get why. They don't want to end up homeless.

That or perhaps we need to make some laws regulating these things again like we used to have in the US again. I would welcome that with open arms.

@literalgrill @eniko I know people have to eat, and while I did blame journos in my original post (for not understanding the point Eniko made) I don't blame them for the business bullshit - that's a systemic problem.

The good news is, we don't need to dismantle *all* of capitalism to make it better; just dropping surveillance capitalism would take down the entire digital ad market rigamarole. Remember, well over 90% of those clicks are fraudulent; this isn't about advertising to begin with.

@literalgrill @eniko - meaning, of course, most of the clicks that make up the difference you mention.
@literalgrill @eniko (I work in advertising, too).
@jwcph @eniko Solidarity then, honestly not a fun job to be in, especially these days.

@jwcph @eniko Oh gosh yeah it's very true. And some clicks "aren't as good as others." Even if sometimes an honestly amazing piece goes out that's well researched and hard hitting, tons of people read it, even if it isn't just aggregated right for ads these bosses get mad.

It's baffling beyond all reason. It's not why I joined the profession and there are people trying to push back. Just hoping the big freelance writing union I keep hearing rumblings about comes to fruition.

@eniko Not only are they not bothered by this, they expect it. Some anti critical race theory group was punished for not dropping their anti CRT stuff and going all in on the new satanic panic.

E: Hell even Trump knows his followers are like this : https://twitter.com/atrupar/status/1667695593433571332

"I talk about cutting taxes, people [clap weakly], I talk about transgender everybody goes crazy. Five years ago you didn't know what the hell it was"

Aaron Rupar on Twitter

“Trump notes his crowd is more enthused about bigotry than they are for tax cuts: "It's amazing how strongly people feel about that. I talk about cutting taxes, people go like that, I talk about transgender everybody goes crazy. Five years ago you didn't know what the hell it was"”

Twitter
@eniko @gemelliz While that’s true, there are folks who are *not* full-blown fascists who may also support them, and forcing them to see the contradictions of that position may be useful in reducing *their* support. But I agree that the Left has seemed to think that pointing out hypocrisy is a big “gotcha” that destroys a fascist’s position, when fascists and authoritarians don’t care because it’s just all about power for them.
@RushGirl @eniko It's one side of fascism. Fascism as well is the misuse of Law & Order attempting to destroy democracy.
@RushGirl @eniko The origin of fascism is located in Italy where Mussolini and his black shirts took over power an state in the 19020ies. The name of the ideology refers to ancient Rome, where two elected Consules had the main power for one year. To show their power they were always in company of 6 or 12 "lictores". Those guys did carry bundles (fasces) of wood sticks and a sword. Symbols and tools to execute punishment - from beating to death by sword immediately by order of the Consul.
@eniko yeah, they are immune and can't be stopped with gotchas.
@eniko Authoritarianism 101: Solving problems makes people like you. Misrepresenting the problems or solutions has no impact on how much it will make people like you.
@eniko Amazing that your definition works for religion too.
Why is the GOP escalating attacks on trans rights? Experts say the goal is to make sure evangelicals vote

The recent blitz of anti-trans bills may not align with what many Republicans believe, but party lawmakers pursue them on behalf of their most important interest group.

PBS News
@eniko For that matter, pointing out hypocrisy or inconsistency NEVER makes people reconsider their values
@eniko The hypocrisy is a feature, not a bug. They thrive on everyone getting distracted pointing out the little inconsistencies.

@eniko

Especially if engagement boosts their YouTube rankings!!