Comment by saghm
3 days ago
No, in this scenario I'm defending the idea that sometimes "a lot of studies" that come out "kinda at the same time" aren't necessarily due to robust science but can be pushed by a specific agenda. If you actually cared to include the specific factor that you cited as a rationale for regulation, you'd get this:
A bunch of studies: “CIGARETTES ARE FINE!”
Tobacco industry: "We don't need to regulate that"
A bunch of studies: "SOCIAL MEDIA IS DANGEROUS"
Government: "We need to regulate that"
Never mind that there's widespread scientific consensus on plenty of things that we're actively dropping the ball on (e.g. human causes of climate change) that nobody seems to feel the need to rush on as much as this.
I know what point you were trying to make, but I’m pointing out that your argument works against you much better than it works for you.
The last point you make is just lame whataboutism.
> I know what point you were trying to make, but I’m pointing out that your argument works against you much better than it works for you.
Sure, if you go out of your way to try to ignore pretty much everything about the conversation up to that point and half of what I said.
> The last point you make is just lame whataboutism.
The entire point I'm trying to make is that the priorities of the people in power reflect what they actually care about. You're disregarding a plausible explanation for why things are playing out the way they are by dismissing each individual point I make against it individually rather than addressing the combination of factors that make it so concerning.
It's honestly hard to tell if you actually do understanding my point like you're claiming to. If you were confident that I was wrong, I don't understand why you're straw-manning my argument. If you think I'm spinning conspiratorial bullshit, then I'm not sure why you're taking the time to argue against it poorly.
Nope, I just have to see that the companies selling poison in both eras need to be regulated. It’s pretty simple.
I don’t want to waste time making people in power “reflect what they care about”. I care about the harm being done to children with social media.