The Coronavirus Thread

[Brian Peacock]

What's your point? That accepting the scientific and public health consensus regarding the seriousness of Covid-19 is unwarranted because it ignores the whims of, negates the desires of, or oppresses the choices for action of individual non-conformists? People should be allowed to die from a preventable disease simply so some selfish people can maintain a sense of themselves as a especially unique, autonomous individuals?

East Asia had two novel coronavirus scares before Covid-19 came around, but I guess the relative public health success of countries like Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, China, along with Australis and New Zealand etc has nothing to do with their experience or their response but instead can be glibly dismissed as irrelevant because those populations have demonstrated, by that success, that they're unthinking sheeple who just follow the herd?

The longer you stay out on the mountain alone the more likely it is that the wolves will get you.

The trouble is Brian we in the west dont want their type of society. Success? They are still not in control. So what are you chumping at? Bloody Ozland and Fernland are so far away but even they cant control it with the present regimes of lockdown and mask wearing which demands that the population turns into sheeple.

What do you think 'control' means in this context, and in light of that do you think 'control' and suppressing Covid are mutually exclusive or otherwise incompatible?

[Seabass]

If you don't drink ebola shits, you are a sheeple!

[Tero]

Pregnant and with Covid?

"It definitely feels a little bit like a slap in the face," said Jennifer DeVincent, who has been a neonatal intensive care unit nurse in the prestigious Mass General Brigham hospital system for 16 years and attends deliveries with coronavirus-positive mothers.

https://www.npr.org/2020/12/28/95042796 ... os-and-ang

[pErvinalia]

What's your point? That accepting the scientific and public health consensus regarding the seriousness of Covid-19 is unwarranted because it ignores the whims of, negates the desires of, or oppresses the choices for action of individual non-conformists? People should be allowed to die from a preventable disease simply so some selfish people can maintain a sense of themselves as a especially unique, autonomous individuals?

East Asia had two novel coronavirus scares before Covid-19 came around, but I guess the relative public health success of countries like Japan, Vietnam, South Korea, China, along with Australis and New Zealand etc has nothing to do with their experience or their response but instead can be glibly dismissed as irrelevant because those populations have demonstrated, by that success, that they're unthinking sheeple who just follow the herd?

The longer you stay out on the mountain alone the more likely it is that the wolves will get you.

The trouble is Brian we in the west dont want their type of society. Success? They are still not in control. So what are you chumping at? Bloody Ozland and Fernland are so far away but even they cant control it with the present regimes of lockdown and mask wearing which demands that the population turns into sheeple.

Having a sense of social duty isn't being a "sheeple".

[JimC]

There is a spectrum in society from ant-like, totally obedient societies to the craziness of complete libertarian anarchy. Both extremes are ludicrous (and rare), but the word "sheeple" should only refer to situations heading towards the ant-like end...

[Scot Dutchy]

Does it get a shade to close?

[Joe]

I usually see the word "sheeple" used by conspiracy theorists in lieu of a real argument when you question their assertions, but perhaps I've been frequenting the wrong corners of the internet.

[Scot Dutchy]

I usually see the word "sheeple" used by conspiracy theorists in lieu of a real argument when you question their assertions, but perhaps I've been frequenting the wrong corners of the internet.

Joe it is a well known and accepted word for people that keep on drinking the Kool Aid.

[Joe]

I usually see the word "sheeple" used by conspiracy theorists in lieu of a real argument when you question their assertions, but perhaps I've been frequenting the wrong corners of the internet.

Joe it is a well known and accepted word for people that keep on drinking the Kool Aid.

I've seen that term from a lot of conspiracy theorists too, Scot. Again, when they can't muster a real argument.

[Scot Dutchy]

I usually see the word "sheeple" used by conspiracy theorists in lieu of a real argument when you question their assertions, but perhaps I've been frequenting the wrong corners of the internet.

Joe it is a well known and accepted word for people that keep on drinking the Kool Aid.

I've seen that term from a lot of conspiracy theorists too, Scot. Again, when they can't muster a real argument.

Joe it is a simple term used in the general press. What argument do they have to master?
Ozland and Fernland are good examples.

[laklak]

Yeah but y'all are, like, emasculated socialist drones or something.

[Joe]

I usually see the word "sheeple" used by conspiracy theorists in lieu of a real argument when you question their assertions, but perhaps I've been frequenting the wrong corners of the internet.

Joe it is a well known and accepted word for people that keep on drinking the Kool Aid.

I've seen that term from a lot of conspiracy theorists too, Scot. Again, when they can't muster a real argument.

Joe it is a simple term used in the general press. What argument do they have to master?
Ozland and Fernland are good examples.

So what Scot? I was just relating my personal experience. Do you have a problem with that?

[Hermit]

A common accepted term for people following the herd. So what is your point?

"Sheeple" is a commonly used term by people like Galaxian and Seth. I have not noticed others employing it.

You obviously dont read many newspaper reports.

Take any dictionary:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheeple

: people who are docile, compliant, or easily influenced : people likened to sheep James Nichols, who ran the family farm here, stamped dollar bills with red ink in protest against currency and told his neighbors that they were "sheeple" for obeying authority like livestock.

I have read enough to know what "sheeple" means. Also enough to know that the word was coined at least as early as 1945. Lastly, I have read enough to know that the word is predominantly used by right wing nuts and utterly batshit crazies. They have basically appropriated it.

[JimC]

The critical thing about obedience to government directions is to consider first, whether it is a popularly elected government (and yes, I know, there are always flaws in most electoral systems) and secondly, to consider the rationale for those directions. IMO, said directions must be:

* rational, and based on a consensus of scientific advice, i.e. not for religious or other reasons

* proportionate, in that a reduction in freedom from said directions must be in proportion to the useful outcome expected from those directions

* aimed to benefit the community in general, or if more narrowly targeted, those in the greatest need or risk

[Joe]

A common accepted term for people following the herd. So what is your point?

"Sheeple" is a commonly used term by people like Galaxian and Seth. I have not noticed others employing it.

You obviously dont read many newspaper reports.

Take any dictionary:
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sheeple

: people who are docile, compliant, or easily influenced : people likened to sheep James Nichols, who ran the family farm here, stamped dollar bills with red ink in protest against currency and told his neighbors that they were "sheeple" for obeying authority like livestock.

I have read enough to know what "sheeple" means. Also enough to know that the word was coined at least as early as 1945. Lastly, I have read enough to know that the word is predominantly used by right wing nuts and utterly batshit crazies. They have basically appropriated it.

For me, it's just another ad hominem. Accusing someone of following the crowd or government direction in no way invalidates what they are doing or saying. As an argument, it is fallacious and should be dismissed as such, and newspapers using the term doesn't mean fuck all.

Just my opinion of course.