Quote:
Originally Posted by Manhattanboy
This thread is classic. Exemplifies what happens so often on CP.
In the face of one of the biggest stories of our generation the OP decides to start a new thread on the origins of Covid-19, of the view, quite fairly, that perhaps there should be a separate discussion as to the origins of the virus, particularly in light of the repeated denials, cover-ups and misinformation on the part of the Chinese government that in no small part resulted in tens of thousands of deaths that likely could have been avoided.
The OP posts an interesting story, provides the source, and suggests that the journalist presents a convincing argument. Nothing more. He doesn't quote it for the truth. He leaves it up to us to form of our own opinions. He concludes by noting, which is well accepted, that regardless of the the origin of the virus the Chinese government knew full well what was happening, did not act nearly quickly enough and failed miserably in their efforts to keep the virus contained.
What happened next was entirely predictable. Serial posters like AFC, who, as noted, rarely misses an opportunity to present himself as the resident CP expert on everything, immediately jumps on the case and rescues us all from any possible misconception that there might be something to the story, and concludes that based on the statements of "every credible scientist he has heard" that the story is absolute garbage. Of course we are required to rely on AFC's opinion as to what constitutes credible science.
Others quickly jump on the bandwagon. The OP should be "embarrassed" for posting the story and is forced to admit that he doesn't necessarily believe the journalist. He never said he did in the first place. Another scolds him for bad form in not qualifying his post with the usual "interesting if true" lest we draw the wrong conclusion that he must believe the story to be true.
And of course, out of remorse for starting the discussion, he is forced to walk things back (he should not have in the first place), having been shamed to admit that he really doesn't know what to believe.
Never change CP.
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It's the dangerous part of the internet.
No matter how absurd your opinion (current thread notwithstanding) you will find a group of people that support it. It's how the anti-vax movement began and proliferated.
The general Covid thread has been a great example of it, with the mob supporting posts about panic, how bad the disease is, and shutting down any poster who tried to be rational or discuss the merits of various Covid policy. Gradually the reasonable posters left and it became an echo chamber. At least now it seems to have returned to some semblance of reasonable discussion.
It's a big problem with having 'thanks' or upvotes (like reddit); some posters with a great message and discussion are shut out because there are 2 drive bys and 3 straw man arguments that follow.