Conservatism not gateway to alt-right

[Syne]

Study: Conservative YouTube Content Leads To ‘De-Radicalization,’ Not Radicalization

A new study out of Penn State’s Political Science Department found that rather than conservative content online leading to radicalization, as the popular “gateway” narrative insists, the reverse appears to be true.

The study, titled “A Supply and Demand Framework for YouTube Politics,” published online in October, takes a closer look at the popular narrative that YouTube serves as a “radicalizing agent,” particularly for the right. Conservative content, the narrative goes, supposedly acts as a “gateway” for viewers, potentially leading them to the fringes of the far-right.

But, as Birkbeck University of London’s Eric Kaufman puts it in his succinct summary of the study’s key finding, “Contrary to the ‘gateway drug’ narrative,” the new study “shows the Intellectual Dark Web (i.e. [Jordan Peterson], [PragerU], [Joe Rogan], [Ben Shapiro], [Rubin Report]) is de-radicalizing potential Alt-Right viewers.”

[C C]

One might reflexively construe that an extremist of that ilk even regularly listening to a Jewish conservative would itself be a sign of transition starting to take place. But, of course, there are alt-righters who do that to collect specific things to ridicule, criticize and lambast -- just as some progressives and those of the far left would visit or tune-in for the same purpose. (Anti-semitic trolls attack conservative commentator Ben Shapiro's sister)

[Leigha]

I had to look this up:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Intellectual_dark_web

Huh, didn't know that was a thing.

[Syne]

Kinda validates the name, huh? The mainstream, leftist media doesn't really want you knowing about them, and if you happen to, they definitely what you to associate them with the alt-right. Even Jews like Shapiro and gays like Rubin.

[Leigha]

The label ''dark web'' in this context, is a bit polarizing, imo. I think that it's also a bit dramatic. lol If someone identifies as a conservative, what a slippery slope we're going down (culturally speaking) if we automatically villify that person, and dub him/her as part of ''the dark web.'' 

[Syne]

"Dark web" in this context is just something relatively unknown to most...and dangerous to leftists, who can't tolerate a variety of opinions.

Where have you been? Conservatives are automatically lambasted with any number of insults regularly, by a bevy of mainstream sources. Nowadays it basically goes something like: conservative = Trump supporter = racist.

[Leigha]

"Dark web" in this context is just something relatively unknown to most...and dangerous to leftists, who can't tolerate a variety of opinions.

Where have you been? Conservatives are automatically lambasted with any number of insults regularly, by a bevy of mainstream sources. Nowadays it basically goes something like: conservative = Trump supporter = racist.

Ah, gotcha...I see. There is an actual website, and it looks pretty interesting, from taking a brief look at it. I know that conservatives take a lot of heat lol But, to be fair, there's plenty of mud slinging from repubs towards democrats, as well. It's amazing anything gets done in our government.  

https://intellectualdarkweb.site/

[Syne]

Conservatives only get vocal against insane leftists when those leftists seek to destroy people's lives and reputations with lies. Otherwise, conservatives are largely live and let live.

[Leigha]

I wish that I could settle upon a news source to provide me with unbiased news coverage, when it comes to politics. No spin from any side. Reuters seems to be okay.

[Zinjanthropos]

OMG, a new remix version of the Alphabet Song and it's under attack on social media. However, not sure if they're attacking the remix because it's changing a traditional tune or battling those who say the new version is good for immigrant's kids to learn English.  What do we do now?

I remember a line from my youth, don't hear it much anymore. It was said to me often and I said it myself many times.... "You've obviously mistaken me for someone who gives a shit".