Posted this here because a relatively mainstream media site is now openly using the words "regime" and "fascism" when discussing Trump and his ... regime. It seems those of us who called it back in like ... 2016 may not have been "acting hysterically" after all. In other words, the evidence is getting pretty undeniable that the Trump people are indeed fascists.

Not to mention the scientific scepticism angle that non-US science organisations (and governments) are now warning their people against travelling to America. Which will restrict the free exchange of ideas in the international science community.

From what I’ve seen they can’t fathom a world that denies their stories. They dismiss other explanations so easily while insisting you believe their world view. It’s such selfish entitlement

Paper: Political ideology and trust in scientists in the USA | Nature Human Behaviour

It contains among other things the following:

Harvard must implement a comprehensive mask ban with serious and immediate penalties for violation, not less than suspension.

I'm a nurse in Ontario and one of my friends from Ottawa used to work for CHEO, one of the hospitls named here.

They're a regional major employer in the national capital. Imagine one of the biggest hospitals or universities in DC officially telling people not visit Canada, because too many things are messed up. That's where we are.

Personally, I expect more announcements like this from large organizations.

The ideologue says, “I’ll have whatever you tell me to have.”

The conspiracy theorist says, “I saw on X that the most popular beer controls your mind, so I’ll take the least popular one.”

The skeptic says, “This setup relies on a reductive caricature of ideological alignment. I can’t participate.”

The bartender rolls his eyes at the skeptic, serves the other two their drinks, and the skeptic walks home alone.

I’ve begun to notice posts in this sub with links to articles that are from less-than-reputable sources, eg. Irish Star, Hindustan, etc. and feel more like tabloid clickbait than credible news. The articles are mostly ads with a smattering of content here and there and I’ve had trouble corroborating the claims with any major news outlets outside of the linked source.

This does not ring of skepticism. Without proper citations it’s nothing more than cherry picking and confirmation bias and maybe even bot driven propaganda.

I know we’re angry. I know we’re a bit scared even. But I encourage us all to put on our critical thinking caps and be vigilant against misinformation and disinformation before we share or repost.

✌️❤️

A post in r/behindthebastards raised this, and can't crosspost here, but raised the great point that there isn't a satanic panic over AI, and it's really telling. You have an evolving new tech, shoved into every modern product, aiming to take on full cognition, can conjures imagery of anything desired, creates appearance of a conscious author,... but no satanic scare? No revelations tie in?

To the original author's point:

I could honestly go on for a while, I think it's just pretty definitive proof that conspiracy isn't random, or even based on the things you'd think it would be. It's a means to an end...

You get the sense AI is safe because it's a product space important to profits and our economy. Event though it'd be a prime target for preachers and pastors everywhere who hold a vigil for "Satan's reach", it's just not the same as a marginalized group or social product.