D&D and the rising pandemic

[Dannyalcatraz]

You want an honest answer to this? I have probably spoken on this somewhere upthread, but after 400 pages over a year and a half, we shouldn't expect anyone to remember..

The basic answer to this is that humans beings aren't nearly so rational as they like to think.

It would not be inaccurate to say that humans really have two different cognitive systems. One is logical, and it is pretty slow. The other is fast, but associated with emotion and memory, rather than much rational analysis. This second system is there for making snap decisions, from back when we needed to feel fear when we saw a jaguar in the brush, or anger when we had to fight, and so on.

The problem is that this emotional system is also largely sub-conscious. So, when you get some stimulus or information, the emotional system responds first, and then your logical systems chime in and, without realizing it, humans generally pick among the rational responses the one that most closely matches their emotional responses.

And, unfortunately, we don't usually recognize this is happening. Which means that someone who knows what they are doing can manipulate us.

You said it once before, but it bears repeating…

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

When people say, “It’s my choice to vaccinate. Who am I hurting?”

A lot of people. You are hurting a lot of people.

I read that one earlier today.

 

[Imaculata]

I think another part of the problem is that we have all underestimated the danger that anti vaxers and conspiracy theorists pose. We should have been taking it a lot more serious, because a lot of them are dangerous zealots.

 

[FitzTheRuke]

I think another part of the problem is that we have all underestimated the danger that anti vaxers and conspiracy theorists pose. We should have been taking it a lot more serious, because a lot of them are dangerous zealots.

It seems that their propaganda has infected the minds of many otherwise reasonable people to "ask questions" and "wait and see". There's a group of people that I don't entirely blame for being vaccine hesitant - they are just scared because they've read or heard too much BS. Then there are the originators of the BS. THOSE guys I don't forgive.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

My Dad- an MD- just got an email about this from the state medical society a few days ago.

Instead of just getting vaccinated, anti-vaxxers are drinking iodine antiseptic

Another ineffective treatment for COVID-19 is being promoted in anti-vaccine and science-skeptical circles.First there was hydroxychloroquine, then ivermectin; now, according to multiple reports, some Americans are gargling and/or ingesting the iodine-based liquid Betadine to prevent COVID-19 —...

www.rawstory.com

So far, there aren’t many cases here in Texas, but they wanted healthcare providers to be aware of the situation.

 

[Hussar]

I know this is probably too political, but, at what point do "protesters" become "terrorists"?

The radicalization of Canada and America is a truly, truly terrifying thing to see.

 

[Levistus's_Leviathan]

I know this is probably too political, but, at what point do "protesters" become "terrorists"?

Not sure. But "actively working to harm others" is probably pretty close to that line.

The radicalization of Canada and America is a truly, truly terrifying thing to see.

It's even worse when you've seen your friends and family members fall into the trap and endanger themselves and others for their personal "freedumbs". I haven't talked with almost anyone from my father's side of the family (including my father) in 2 years now because of this (the issue existed before, Covid-19 and the pandemic just compounded it).

 

[Zardnaar]

I know this is probably too political, but, at what point do "protesters" become "terrorists"?

The radicalization of Canada and America is a truly, truly terrifying thing to see.

When they start using violence for fear/political goals.

 

[Dannyalcatraz]

Merck is seeking emergency use approval of its new ORAL antiviral against Covid-19.

Merck says its new Covid pill reduces the risk of hospitalization, death by half for some patients

Merck and Ridgeback Biotherapeutics will seek emergency authorization for their drug, which they say could have “a profound impact in controlling the pandemic.”

www.cnbc.com

 

[Umbran]

I know this is probably too political, but, at what point do "protesters" become "terrorists"?

Legally or in the moral/ethical sense?

Legally, the US Code defines domestic terrorism as activities that...

• involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the United States or of any State;
• appear to be intended—
  1. to intimidate or coerce a civilian population;
  2. to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or
  3. to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and
• occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States;