The Times unraveled a financial network that stretches from Chicago to Shanghai and uses American nonprofits to push Chinese talking points worldwide.

    • Alteon@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      30
      ·
      1 year ago

      No, but it’s scummy as fuck, and it’s interesting that an American is pushing Chinese talking points.

      I think people are pretty well aware at this point that social engineering, on a macroscale, is extremely effective at changing people’s views (albeit slowly). Look at what happened with Qanon, look how many people supported that. That was the dumbest thing I’ve ever seen, and people are STILL backing it even after it’s been proven to not only be a sham, but run by a pedophile out of Southeast Asia. Imagine the damage that can be done by a disinformation or social engineering campaign backed by one of the largest nations in the world.

      We are currently in a culture war - the implications of it could change everyone’s lives in the next couple of decades if we aren’t careful.

      • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        10
        arrow-down
        16
        ·
        1 year ago

        Doesn’t the U.S. do this in other countries? If America does it, and it’s not illegal, why can’t China? Weird that they didn’t mention that it’s legal in the article, right?

        • claymedia@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          10
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          No one said they can’t. But we can and should call out propaganda for what it is. Especially when it comes from authoritarian, genocidal, despotic governments.

        • rustyfish@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          7
          arrow-down
          2
          ·
          1 year ago

          It’s scummy when the US does it.

          It’s scummy when China does it.

          I hope I could help you understand.

          I also would love to talk about anything China without someone coming up with the Yankees. JFC.

          • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            3
            arrow-down
            12
            ·
            1 year ago

            I do understand that all countries do bad things. But I’m not just going to hate China because The NY Times tells me to. Realize that the media carries water for the US State Department. There’s hundreds of reasons to criticize China, and we should. But not for doing something that other nations do. This has nothing to do with baseball.

              • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
                link
                fedilink
                arrow-up
                2
                arrow-down
                6
                ·
                1 year ago

                Maybe because you want to believe in American exceptionalism? Just because it’s whataboutism doesn’t mean it’s not true. You’re being manipulated to hate China vociferously by the state department and CIA and your reaction is, “Nuh-uh!”

        • yumcake@lemmy.world
          link
          fedilink
          arrow-up
          2
          arrow-down
          1
          ·
          1 year ago

          I would like to learn more about what the U.S does to compete in the propaganda space. I worry about the fundamentally reduced agility in responding to competing powers that are much more centralized.

          As far as I can tell, private industry leads American interest and since the private ownership is still spread amongst these individuals owners, there doesn’t seem to be a coordinated drive to spread propaganda without a more direct linkage to profit. However in other countries with more centralized power the national power can dictate the messaging and then private companies follow suit, which allows for a much more coordinated effort.

          • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            arrow-up
            2
            arrow-down
            1
            ·
            1 year ago

            You are completely and utterly correct. America can’t compete. While China has 5 and 50 year plans, America is rudderless (discounting the military). Our goals change every 2 to 4 years with new administrations. This is one of the reasons I believe America will inevitably go fascist and centralize control of the government in the coming years. It can’t compete with China’s economy and outreach. So it will adapt by imitation.

      • iain@feddit.nl
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        3
        arrow-down
        10
        ·
        1 year ago

        it’s interesting that an American is pushing Chinese talking points

        Maybe he just agrees with it? What is it about Americans that they wouldn’t be convinced of other perspectives? Americans can only align with US propaganda?

    • felixthecat@kbin.social
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      I think with evidence provided that they should have to register under FARA as foreign agents for China here to spread Chinese propaganda. I’m sure the writer of the article informed them.

      • TokenBoomer@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        1 year ago

        Capitalism is global now and so is the internet. They don’t have to register because they’re not in America. The only way to stop this is to shut down the internet and isolate the country. This article is mad at China because it’s beating America with capitalism.