The Times unraveled a financial network that stretches from Chicago to Shanghai and uses American nonprofits to push Chinese talking points worldwide.
Is this illegal?
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.
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?
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.
This exchange reminds me of a key and peele sketch. Not illegal, but perfectly fine to admonish china for doing the thing that the us is constantly being admonished for, mx. Whataboutism.
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.
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.
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?
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.
