You need to bring it down a bit here if you think I'm making excuses for Russia. They should absolutely face consequences for what they've done over the years.
But it seems like you're letting Facebook and other US social media companies off the hook way too much.
Absolutely not, Facebook is one of the worst companies on this planet and they can go to hell if you ask me.
But as I already said, it's not just Facebook. You can share these fake news just as easy via iMessage or brainwash your friends or family directly by talking to them.
Things like anti-vaxxers and such all got their start in the US. Also I don't remember Russia creating the horrific systematic racism endemic here. Like you said, Russia is simply exploiting what was already there. And don't forget what I said: The USA is still the one distributing this information, profiting off of it (big part right there), and not taking the responsibility of regulating it. Facebook isn't some entity divorced from the goings on of the US, they're an American company that brings in hella American dollars.
I'm talking about the situation in Europe, the States have their own propaganda machine with FOX News paired with Republican brain washing, Russian interference is just the tip of the iceberg.
Also keep in mind that the Russian GDP is like 8% of what the US makes. Their military budget is roughly 10% of what the we spend. So yes, they are kind of like a kid on the world stage compared to the US's power
Maybe, but they are currently one of the only players actively stealing land around them.
and the only reason they're this grand conspirator of all social media disinformation is we gave them a platform for it and did fuck all about it for years. They're doing it because we let them do it, and we need to suck it up and share the responsibility for it.
Yes, but that's like saying "this guy who shot 5 people is just the product of our fucked up gun culture".
Of course it is, doesn't change the fact that he actively decided to commit this act and needs to face consequences.
You're absolutely right in the regard that Social Media needs massive regulation (just like guns), because Russia (or any player exploiting this problems) won't stop as long as it's effective.
Sure, but its logical to blame the country causing the refugees to need to leave in the first place, rather than one which stokes up the fash over social media (and i think it is wrong to assume the USA isn't doing this too btw). One is obviously a bigger threat to democracy than the other
I can criticize both or just one at a time, which I did. You're basically asking me why I blame one and not the other, this is not mutually exclusive.
My larger problem with Russias disinformation tactics (don't believe anyone but shady echo chambers & conspiracies) makes it useful for any kind of future crisis (see COVID or Climate Change). Anti-vaxx for example was a thing in the past obviously, but it got amplified by the same fake news tactics that we saw during the refugee crisis.
And no, I don't see evidence of the States actively pushing right wing parties in Europe, it goes against all of their interests, they hate the US as well and cozy up to Russian authoritarianism.
There's no denying that the States interference in the Middle East is one of the worst decisions in recent history.
www.theguardian.com
www.pewresearch.org
en.wikipedia.org
