I’ve definitely turned into the paranoid nutcase within my friend group in recent years, I hate that everything is “smart” nowadays requiring an app/internet connection & account, just to do basic things that didn’t require any of that before.

What’s some things currently making you ramble like an old man?

  • cynetri (he/any)English
    712·
    10 months ago

    Might be a controversial take, but I’m concerned about people letting themselves shape sweeping, negative views on things that are (keyword: relatively) minor or just don’t fully know the story behind. For example, EA was voted “Worst Company in America” multiple years in a row, when it’s really just a software company whose worst sins would probably amount to gross overworking/general poor treatment of their employees. That’s bad, but I feel like it’s pretty inarguably better than chocolate companies who use child labor to harvest cocoa beans.

    It’s especially concerning when it extends to global/political issues (this is why I said this might be controversial). We don’t tend to realize that we share much more in common with people in other countries than we realize, probably helped by the fact that most news sites tend to leave out details or exaggerate bad parts when talking about governments other than their own (a notorious example is the reporting on North Korea . Here’s a good vid about it (CW: very graphic) Not saying it’s a wonderful place to live, just that it’s exaggerated.) Part of the reason political conversations feel so toxic is because so many of us just don’t know a lot of what’s going on or what each other is talking about, so we’re rarely on the same page. Reading a quick Wikipedia summary and/or article can go a long way

    • berrytopylus [she/her,they/them]@hexbear.netEnglish
      122·
      10 months ago

      It’s especially concerning when it extends to global/political issues (this is why I said this might be controversial). Reading a quick Wikipedia summary and/or article can go a long way

      One of my favorite examples of people getting things embarrassingly wrong is the “Taiwan is not part of China” crowd. Both sides historically disagree with this. Taiwan being a part of China is not some point that has been in dispute until very recently.

      The disagreement has historically been over which is the “rightful government”. Sure sentiments in Taiwan have been changing but even this year there was a former Taiwanese president saying this explicitly

      https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/we-are-all-chinese-former-taiwan-president-says-while-visiting-china-2023-03-28/

      Any of the dumbass Americans who proudly declare “Taiwan is not and never has been a part of China” can be easily dismissed.

    • cubedsteaks@lemmy.today
      112·
      10 months ago

      For example, EA was voted “Worst Company in America” multiple years in a row, when it’s really just a software company whose worst sins would probably amount to gross overworking/general poor treatment of their employees

      I know its not a tragedy or anything but they did ruin my favorite game. So that’s why I don’t like them.

    • Syldon@feddit.ukEnglish
      2·
      10 months ago

      I totally agree people should research news stories these days. It is easy to make money from sensationalism. However, in this light:

      For example, EA was voted “Worst Company in America” multiple years in a row, when it’s really just a software company whose worst sins would probably amount to gross overworking/general poor treatment of their employees.

      How about loot boxes and how it was designed to attract the gullible to throw cash at the company. Those gullible people stole money from parents in some cases and bankrupted them in the process. So no, this is not some minor discretion. EA was recognised within the gaming community as being the most egregious when it came to loot boxes, but they are certainly not a solo entity in this type of venture.

      I agree this is still not as bad as the tragedy that chocolate companies have adopted to make money. They don’t just use child labour though, there is plenty evidence of children being abducted into slavery also.

      As for NK being not a wonderful place to live. This is not true as it is a great place to live for some. Even George Orwell recognised that by stating “All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others”.