EOC400.3002
J L'Angelle
Univ of Nevada, Reno
Fall 2019
Mutualism, commensalism and parasitism equally define three various types of interactions between organisms related to the term symbiosis. (Britannica) Each, in relation to the invasive species known as "social media" takes on a peculiar form. Diametrically opposed in nature, the social media symbiotes survive existentially due to the very nature of their radical differentiation. Two distinct forms that exist co-dependently on the invasive species internet platform known as "social media" are the "Dilettante" and the "Demagogue." The first is usually a non-credentialed journalist, typically a blogger, troller, muckraker or similar who often can even represent a semi-credible online news organization. The second more often than not takes the form of the politician.
The “Dilettante” style of reporting has become very acceptable on Twitter, with some of the non-credentialled so-called, self-styled “journalists” not required to show their papers. Take, for instance, the recent story concerning a “secret” Facebook group allegedly with members from the Customs and Border and Protection (CBP) agency of the Department of Homeland Security. The group called itself the “I’m 10-15” and the story first appeared in ProPublica in an article by AC Thompson;
“ProPublica received images of several recent discussions in the 10-15 Facebook group and was able to link the participants in those online conversations to apparently legitimate Facebook profiles belonging to Border Patrol agents,” (Thompson, Propublica)
However, when that reporter tried to contact the particular users for verification, he failed. This is standard operating procedure that hints at fake news. It is a byproduct of years of mainstream media’s referencing “anonymous” sources that are taken to be credible, however unacceptable and unscrupulous the practice may be. Thompson’s only real claim to credibility is a brief bio at Wikipedia stating he was on the faculty at New College of California. In fact, that particular institution had its accreditation revoked in 2007 for dubious financial aid dealings. (New College, Wikipedia) This may or may not be an example of one of those so-called mail order "dipscam diploma" colleges.
Attempting to follow up on the story at The Intercept, yet another reporter with dubious credentials, Ryan Devereux, adds to the unsubstantiated story on July 5, referencing alleged CBP agents by name;
“Hendricks deleted his account soon after the ProPublica story broke. Garcia and Nunez did not respond to requests for comment.” (Devereux, The Intercept)
Devereux is described at the The Intercept as “award-winning investigative journalist,” with no credentials listed. He has over 25 thousand followers on Twitter. (Twitter)
Media Bias/Fact Check has this to say about The Intercept;
“They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports and omit reporting of information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy.” (Media Bias)
Not only are the reporters at ProPublica and The Intercept lacking in any bona-fide papers, their particular online agencies appear to be under the scrutiny of media watchdogs.
How does all of this fit into the differential calculus of the "Demagogue?" Once again, the recent report by a rather dubious internet entity known as "Propublica." It's so-called expose of a Facebook group tagged "secret," although there is no direct evidence there are secret groups on the social media platform other than groups requiring permission to join, is a case in point.
There were hearings on Wednesday, July 17, where an exchange between Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Homeland Security rep Kevin McAleenan regarding the group involved certain disgusting posts were discussed;
" 'Did you see the posts planning physical harm to myself and Congresswoman Escobar?' Ocasio-'Cortez asked McAleenan. 'Yes,' he answered. 'And I directed an investigation within reading the article.' 'Did you see the images of officers circulating photoshop images of my violent rape?' Ocasio-Cortez continued. 'Yes I did,' McAleenan responded. " (Christal Hayes, USA Today)
The fact that the Propublica article at the center of the investigation has yet to be verified just isn't that important if it can be used to further the agenda of the demagogue using the internet as an existential invasive species, since truth is not relevant. (EOC) At the heart of just such a divisive issue is not the veracity of the article, but the ignorance of those who take the article at face value without waiting for verification, using it for political cannon fodder wherever it suits an agenda.
So long as there are sources on the invasive species platform known as social media that do not require verification, written by hacks, frauds, the non-credentialed Dilettantes, their symbiotic counterparts, the Demagogues, using any means necessary to justify their agendas whether legitimate or self-serving, have fertile ground to procreate in this pervasive environment. Thus is the nature of the internet as an existential invasive species that has come into being from the 20th century and has expanded at a rate that, if this were atomic physics, might even be considered a critical mass. In biological terms, it might be more appropriate to apply one of its popular terms, "viral," in other words, "pandemic," a worldwide spread of a new disease.
Works Cited
Symbiosis, https://www.britannica.com/science/symbiosis
“I’m 10-15”, https://www.propublica.org/article/secret-border-patrol-facebook-group-agents-joke-about-migrant-deaths-post-sexist-memes
New College, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_College_of_California#Revocation_of_accreditation_and_financial_collapse
Devereux, R., https://theintercept.com/2019/07/05/border-patrol-facebook-group/
Devereux-Twitter, https://twitter.com/rdevro
The Intercept, https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/the-intercept/
Hayes, C., https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/18/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-homeland-security-kevin-mcaleenan-facebook-group/1769460001/
J L'Angelle
Univ of Nevada, Reno
Fall 2019
Mutualism, commensalism and parasitism equally define three various types of interactions between organisms related to the term symbiosis. (Britannica) Each, in relation to the invasive species known as "social media" takes on a peculiar form. Diametrically opposed in nature, the social media symbiotes survive existentially due to the very nature of their radical differentiation. Two distinct forms that exist co-dependently on the invasive species internet platform known as "social media" are the "Dilettante" and the "Demagogue." The first is usually a non-credentialed journalist, typically a blogger, troller, muckraker or similar who often can even represent a semi-credible online news organization. The second more often than not takes the form of the politician.
The “Dilettante” style of reporting has become very acceptable on Twitter, with some of the non-credentialled so-called, self-styled “journalists” not required to show their papers. Take, for instance, the recent story concerning a “secret” Facebook group allegedly with members from the Customs and Border and Protection (CBP) agency of the Department of Homeland Security. The group called itself the “I’m 10-15” and the story first appeared in ProPublica in an article by AC Thompson;
“ProPublica received images of several recent discussions in the 10-15 Facebook group and was able to link the participants in those online conversations to apparently legitimate Facebook profiles belonging to Border Patrol agents,” (Thompson, Propublica)
However, when that reporter tried to contact the particular users for verification, he failed. This is standard operating procedure that hints at fake news. It is a byproduct of years of mainstream media’s referencing “anonymous” sources that are taken to be credible, however unacceptable and unscrupulous the practice may be. Thompson’s only real claim to credibility is a brief bio at Wikipedia stating he was on the faculty at New College of California. In fact, that particular institution had its accreditation revoked in 2007 for dubious financial aid dealings. (New College, Wikipedia) This may or may not be an example of one of those so-called mail order "dipscam diploma" colleges.
Attempting to follow up on the story at The Intercept, yet another reporter with dubious credentials, Ryan Devereux, adds to the unsubstantiated story on July 5, referencing alleged CBP agents by name;
“Hendricks deleted his account soon after the ProPublica story broke. Garcia and Nunez did not respond to requests for comment.” (Devereux, The Intercept)
Devereux is described at the The Intercept as “award-winning investigative journalist,” with no credentials listed. He has over 25 thousand followers on Twitter. (Twitter)
Media Bias/Fact Check has this to say about The Intercept;
“They may utilize strong loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by using appeal to emotion or stereotypes), publish misleading reports and omit reporting of information that may damage liberal causes. Some sources in this category may be untrustworthy.” (Media Bias)
Not only are the reporters at ProPublica and The Intercept lacking in any bona-fide papers, their particular online agencies appear to be under the scrutiny of media watchdogs.
How does all of this fit into the differential calculus of the "Demagogue?" Once again, the recent report by a rather dubious internet entity known as "Propublica." It's so-called expose of a Facebook group tagged "secret," although there is no direct evidence there are secret groups on the social media platform other than groups requiring permission to join, is a case in point.
There were hearings on Wednesday, July 17, where an exchange between Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Homeland Security rep Kevin McAleenan regarding the group involved certain disgusting posts were discussed;
" 'Did you see the posts planning physical harm to myself and Congresswoman Escobar?' Ocasio-'Cortez asked McAleenan. 'Yes,' he answered. 'And I directed an investigation within reading the article.' 'Did you see the images of officers circulating photoshop images of my violent rape?' Ocasio-Cortez continued. 'Yes I did,' McAleenan responded. " (Christal Hayes, USA Today)
The fact that the Propublica article at the center of the investigation has yet to be verified just isn't that important if it can be used to further the agenda of the demagogue using the internet as an existential invasive species, since truth is not relevant. (EOC) At the heart of just such a divisive issue is not the veracity of the article, but the ignorance of those who take the article at face value without waiting for verification, using it for political cannon fodder wherever it suits an agenda.
So long as there are sources on the invasive species platform known as social media that do not require verification, written by hacks, frauds, the non-credentialed Dilettantes, their symbiotic counterparts, the Demagogues, using any means necessary to justify their agendas whether legitimate or self-serving, have fertile ground to procreate in this pervasive environment. Thus is the nature of the internet as an existential invasive species that has come into being from the 20th century and has expanded at a rate that, if this were atomic physics, might even be considered a critical mass. In biological terms, it might be more appropriate to apply one of its popular terms, "viral," in other words, "pandemic," a worldwide spread of a new disease.
Works Cited
Symbiosis, https://www.britannica.com/science/symbiosis
“I’m 10-15”, https://www.propublica.org/article/secret-border-patrol-facebook-group-agents-joke-about-migrant-deaths-post-sexist-memes
New College, https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_College_of_California#Revocation_of_accreditation_and_financial_collapse
Devereux, R., https://theintercept.com/2019/07/05/border-patrol-facebook-group/
Devereux-Twitter, https://twitter.com/rdevro
The Intercept, https://mediabiasfactcheck.com/the-intercept/
Hayes, C., https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2019/07/18/alexandria-ocasio-cortez-homeland-security-kevin-mcaleenan-facebook-group/1769460001/