When facebook launched in February of 2004, America had already spent nearly a year in Iraq due to the misinformation that CNN (among many others) widely distributed. Climate change denial, the anti-vax movement, and various conspiracy theories long predate that point. For decades we've been dealing with misinformation campaigns, such as for smoking and the AIDS pandemic. Back before it all went online, newspaper stands filled with tabloids as ridiculous as today's worst clickbait were a common sight. And that was still nothing compared to the state of communication historically.
The idea that companies like facebook could defeat misinformation, nonetheless that they should, is absurd given the failure of every other attempt throughout history to do the same. Those championing the idea either do not understand the problem, or wish to benefit from its inevitable failure.
The fact is the internet has made it easier than ever before for people to communicate with one another, to access legitimate and accurate sources of information, and to challenge those who have long benefited from keeping people uninformed. Yes when people speak and read and get angry, they may sometimes be speaking and reading and getting angry at the wrong things, but the ability to do something wrong is a necessary condition of freedom.
The idea that companies like facebook could defeat misinformation, nonetheless that they should, is absurd given the failure of every other attempt throughout history to do the same. Those championing the idea either do not understand the problem, or wish to benefit from its inevitable failure.
The fact is the internet has made it easier than ever before for people to communicate with one another, to access legitimate and accurate sources of information, and to challenge those who have long benefited from keeping people uninformed. Yes when people speak and read and get angry, they may sometimes be speaking and reading and getting angry at the wrong things, but the ability to do something wrong is a necessary condition of freedom.