So the New York Times has published a piece today that I can't get my head around. It's an article that talks about how a otherwise perfectly "sane" person, became radicalized by watching influencers and thought leaders on youtube.

_{NY Times}

I won't lie and say that I don't get it because I do understand what Caleb Cain means when he talks about his path down the rabbit hole, and as a matter of fact, I remembered the video where he came clean about his alt-right background.

Truth is that the only pause I take is precisely where the blame itself resides. Which is to say, is it really the fault of a Youtube personality that someone does something awful? I mean, I realize the question is complicated and thus the answer very nuanced. There is a distinction between someone who is literally calling for action, for followers to commit crimes, etc, but if someone is voicing their opinion as twisted as distorted as it can be, Who is to blame if you believe it? This is where I'm a bit confused.

NY Times error

It's not so much that they are reporting on a falsehood, because this obviously does happen, but more so the fact that they are creating unnecessary outrage and hyperbole as to hint that we have a problem with "too much information being out there".

To me this is a jab on new media, and not so much concern for the mental health of those who consume media. Let's be honest here, can we literally say that NYTimes is not guilty for instigating division? It may be more obvious today, with Trump as our president, but the NY Times is known for being incendiary, it's kind of how the bills are paid.

Some of the people on the list they presented left me even more confused. Yes, I can see why someone like Richard Spencer could be added to a list of this nature, but people like Crowder? That, seems like a very long stretch to me.

The Red Flag

The othering, as I like to call it, is nothing new. We've been fighting for as long as we've been conscious humans, but there's a different tinge overtaking today's battle and it is worrying to me.

It seems like nuance escapes most people, and I don't pretend to hold all the answers, but it's obvious we are not doing such a good job as a society educating the younger minds. We live in a world that relishes outrage, and that in the name of equality and anti-fascism has began to create its own biggest enemy.

This particular video spoke volumes to me, and I think it's worth every second of your time. You see, we've always had reasons to collaborate with one another, but there are reasons that are stronger than others, and the alienation and demonization game we seem to be playing is beginning to sprout it's toxic results.

Don't stand idle my friend, get involved.

MenO