The Times unraveled a financial network that stretches from Chicago to Shanghai and uses American nonprofits to push Chinese talking points worldwide.

  • Alteon@lemmy.world
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    1 year ago

    No, but it’s scummy as fuck, and it’s interesting that an American is pushing Chinese talking points.

    I think people are pretty well aware at this point that social engineering, on a macroscale, is extremely effective at changing people’s views (albeit slowly). Look at what happened with Qanon, look how many people supported that. That was the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen, and people are STILL backing it even after it’s been proven to not only be a sham, but run by a pedophile out of Southeast Asia. Imagine the damage that can be done by a disinformation or social engineering campaign backed by one of the largest nations in the world.

    We are currently in a culture war - the implications of it could change everyone’s lives in the next couple of decades if we aren’t careful.

    • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
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      1 year ago

      Doesn’t the U.S. do this in other countries? If America does it, and it’s not illegal, why can’t China? Weird that they didn’t mention that it’s legal in the article, right?

      • claymedia@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        No one said they can’t. But we can and should call out propaganda for what it is. Especially when it comes from authoritarian, genocidal, despotic governments.

      • rustyfish@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        It’s scummy when the US does it.

        It’s scummy when China does it.

        I hope I could help you understand.

        I also would love to talk about anything China without someone coming up with the Yankees. JFC.

        • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          I do understand that all countries do bad things. But I’m not just going to hate China because The NY Times tells me to. Realize that the media carries water for the US State Department. There’s hundreds of reasons to criticize China, and we should. But not for doing something that other nations do. This has nothing to do with baseball.

            • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
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              1 year ago

              Maybe because you want to believe in American exceptionalism? Just because it’s whataboutism doesn’t mean it’s not true. You’re being manipulated to hate China vociferously by the state department and CIA and your reaction is, “Nuh-uh!”

      • yumcake@lemmy.world
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        1 year ago

        I would like to learn more about what the U.S does to compete in the propaganda space. I worry about the fundamentally reduced agility in responding to competing powers that are much more centralized.

        As far as I can tell, private industry leads American interest and since the private ownership is still spread amongst these individuals owners, there doesn’t seem to be a coordinated drive to spread propaganda without a more direct linkage to profit. However in other countries with more centralized power the national power can dictate the messaging and then private companies follow suit, which allows for a much more coordinated effort.

        • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
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          1 year ago

          You are completely and utterly correct. America can’t compete. While China has 5 and 50 year plans, America is rudderless (discounting the military). Our goals change every 2 to 4 years with new administrations. This is one of the reasons I believe America will inevitably go fascist and centralize control of the government in the coming years. It can’t compete with China’s economy and outreach. So it will adapt by imitation.

    • iain@feddit.nl
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      1 year ago

      it’s interesting that an American is pushing Chinese talking points

      Maybe he just agrees with it? What is it about Americans that they wouldn’t be convinced of other perspectives? Americans can only align with US propaganda?