🐱 Interesting clickbait, op-eds, fluff pieces and other smaller stories
- Thread starter CatParty
- Start date
CatParty
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2015
This is what leadership looks like, it doesn't mean you'll be adored, doing the right thing isn't always the POPULAR thing. That's why everyone on Trumps side likes him, even if they do not "like" him.
E
ES 148
Guest
kiwifarms.net
I think this is interesting because you didn't see anyone who disliked Obama personally siding with him politically. Trump's obviously doing the right thing because personal feelings don't really come into it.
- Joined
- Dec 22, 2017
The deal that would do nothing and was just away to say “We will do things but not hold anyone accountable” accord.
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2015
lol, I'm surprised this Syrian Arab would even consider to pick "Jude" for his new name. If he thought Jihad was a tough name to have in the West, imagine how tough it is to be called Juden in the Middle East!
Nigerian shaman dies in attempt to prove his charm can protect against bullets
A self-styled traditional healer in Nigeria has died after one of his clients tested his "bullet-proof" charms on him.
Chinaka Adoezuwe, 26, was killed after instructing the man to shoot him as he was wearing the charms around his neck.
Police in the country's south-eastern Imo state say the client has been arrested on suspicion of murder.
Charms are popular in Nigeria, where traditional healers are consulted for cures for various ailments.
But there have been several reports of people being killed after testing "bullet-proof" charms and medicines.
"A young man had gone to [the healer] to prepare bullet-proof charms for him, which the native doctor did," a villager told the Punch newspaper.
"To prove the efficacy of the new charms, [he] positioned and handed over a gun to his customer. Tragedy struck."
In January, a traditional medicine seller was arrested after a man drank a "bullet-repelling" liquid and was shot dead.
The seller in north-western Nigeria reportedly assured the man that he could not die if he was shot.
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-44724700
Last edited by a moderator:
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2016
- Joined
- Aug 27, 2017
White suburban moms must be in a serious competition with trannies to see who can be the most offended about shit no one cares about
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2014
Don't you know milk is a symbol of white supremacy and therefore all dairy products are racist? Stay woke.
- Joined
- Feb 1, 2015
And that 10-year old child's name? Albert Einstein
- Joined
- Nov 4, 2016
I wish blue bell would rename it to " Jim crow "
So I can eat a bowl of Jim crow with my Hitler did nothing wrong juice.
So I can eat a bowl of Jim crow with my Hitler did nothing wrong juice.
- Joined
- Mar 15, 2016
We will do things and only hold western nations accountable would be more accurate
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2014
Honestly, Blue Bell is as fucking retarded as the people who fabricated this into an issue if you try to be edgy and call simple chocolate and vanilla "The Great Divide."
Corbin Dallas Multipass
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Jun 20, 2018
That's not fair, that shouldn't count as murder. It should be ruled a suicide and the man should get a posthumous medal for increasing the average intelligence in the gene pool.
You'd think stories like this would get around though... I mean people have to have heard of these medicine men selling bullet proof potions to go to one and try to buy it, how have they not heard about them never actually working?
Also... magic potions and charms? Come on guys...
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2014
They should call it Apartheid. You know, because they keep black and white separate.
- Joined
- Sep 26, 2014
Dozens of drunk seagulls found on beaches in Southern England
Dozens of drunk seagulls have been found on beaches in Southwest England after scavenging alcohol, according to news reports.
Citing the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Sky News reports that some seagulls have died and others are “seriously ill.”
"The birds appear disoriented and confused and struggle to stand,” explained RSPCA vet David Couper. "We took some video of one of the birds who is staggering around and losing his balance just like a person would if they'd had too much to drink."
IGUANA DRAMA: VIRAL VIDEO SHOWS DUELING LIZARDS IN STARBUCKS PARKING LOT
DevonLive reports that one seagull “reeking of beer” vomited over firefighters sent to rescue it after it had fallen off a roof in Lyme Regis.
One theory is that the seagulls were drinking beer left in plastic cups that revelers left lying around on the beach the night before. Animal welfare experts, think that the birds’ inebriated state may be the result of feeding on brewery waste.
RSPCA officer Jo Daniel told the BBC that, at first, the seagulls look like they have botulism, a weakening of the muscles caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nervous system. However, most of the birds seem to recover after vomiting, she said.
RAT ATTACK: WORLD'S LARGEST RODENT CULL CLEARS PREDATORS FROM ATLANTIC ISLAND
“If you're worried a bird might be drunk or have botulism, please contact a local vet or call @RSPCA_official for help!,” tweeted RSPCA National Press Officer Amy De-Keyzer.
On a serious note though - if you're worried a bird might be drunk or have botulism, please contact a local vet or call @RSPCA_official for help! https://t.co/5l7IFJUrtQ
— Amy De-Keyzer (@RSPCA_Amy) July 6, 2018
Couper told the Somerset County Gazette that the RSPCA has treated a number of drunk seagulls from across the English county of Devon and some from the neighboring county of Dorset.
Dozens of drunk seagulls have been found on beaches in Southwest England after scavenging alcohol, according to news reports.
Citing the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Sky News reports that some seagulls have died and others are “seriously ill.”
"The birds appear disoriented and confused and struggle to stand,” explained RSPCA vet David Couper. "We took some video of one of the birds who is staggering around and losing his balance just like a person would if they'd had too much to drink."
IGUANA DRAMA: VIRAL VIDEO SHOWS DUELING LIZARDS IN STARBUCKS PARKING LOT
DevonLive reports that one seagull “reeking of beer” vomited over firefighters sent to rescue it after it had fallen off a roof in Lyme Regis.
One theory is that the seagulls were drinking beer left in plastic cups that revelers left lying around on the beach the night before. Animal welfare experts, think that the birds’ inebriated state may be the result of feeding on brewery waste.
RSPCA officer Jo Daniel told the BBC that, at first, the seagulls look like they have botulism, a weakening of the muscles caused by a toxin that attacks the body’s nervous system. However, most of the birds seem to recover after vomiting, she said.
RAT ATTACK: WORLD'S LARGEST RODENT CULL CLEARS PREDATORS FROM ATLANTIC ISLAND
“If you're worried a bird might be drunk or have botulism, please contact a local vet or call @RSPCA_official for help!,” tweeted RSPCA National Press Officer Amy De-Keyzer.
On a serious note though - if you're worried a bird might be drunk or have botulism, please contact a local vet or call @RSPCA_official for help! https://t.co/5l7IFJUrtQ
— Amy De-Keyzer (@RSPCA_Amy) July 6, 2018
Couper told the Somerset County Gazette that the RSPCA has treated a number of drunk seagulls from across the English county of Devon and some from the neighboring county of Dorset.
- Joined
- Feb 25, 2013
Seagulls are little bastards, let them die from alcohol poisoning.
- Joined
- Dec 28, 2014
- Joined
- Sep 19, 2013
Police: Man babysitting toddlers had watermarked 'copyright' on child porn
PORTSMOUTH, Va. —
Warning: This article contains details that are disturbing
A Virginia man has been arrested after he allegedly molested a 2-year-old boy and posted images of the abuse online.
The Virginian-Pilot reports Dashawn Webster, 22, was arrested last week after confessing to a federal investigator.
The charges against Webster stem from two investigations targeting websites that distributed child pornography. One investigation was led by The International Criminal Police Organization and another was led by Homeland Security Investigations.
Investigators recovered a thumb drive from a suspect in a different case that included child porn images that "appeared to be homemade." The pictures were all watermarked with a single screen name and the word "copyright."
The same screen name was discovered on a variety of websites dealing in child pornography.
Agents were able to link the screen name to an old address of Webster's in Portsmouth, Virginia.
A Portsmouth police sergeant went to the address to confirm Webster lived there, and found the man was babysitting two boys. Soon after, an agent served a search warrant at the house.
According to WTKR, Webster admitted to producing the watermarked images and said the victim was just two years old when the pictures were taken.
Numerous additional images of child pornography were found on Webster's electronic devices.
Horrified neighbor, Carolyn Christensen, said the alleged abuse made her "sick."
"He never goes anywhere, he's always there, he never comes out," she added. "He steps out of the doorway sometimes to pick up the children."
Webster is being held at Western Tidewater Regional Jail.
The dindu in question:
PORTSMOUTH, Va. —
Warning: This article contains details that are disturbing
A Virginia man has been arrested after he allegedly molested a 2-year-old boy and posted images of the abuse online.
The Virginian-Pilot reports Dashawn Webster, 22, was arrested last week after confessing to a federal investigator.
The charges against Webster stem from two investigations targeting websites that distributed child pornography. One investigation was led by The International Criminal Police Organization and another was led by Homeland Security Investigations.
Investigators recovered a thumb drive from a suspect in a different case that included child porn images that "appeared to be homemade." The pictures were all watermarked with a single screen name and the word "copyright."
The same screen name was discovered on a variety of websites dealing in child pornography.
Agents were able to link the screen name to an old address of Webster's in Portsmouth, Virginia.
A Portsmouth police sergeant went to the address to confirm Webster lived there, and found the man was babysitting two boys. Soon after, an agent served a search warrant at the house.
According to WTKR, Webster admitted to producing the watermarked images and said the victim was just two years old when the pictures were taken.
Numerous additional images of child pornography were found on Webster's electronic devices.
Horrified neighbor, Carolyn Christensen, said the alleged abuse made her "sick."
"He never goes anywhere, he's always there, he never comes out," she added. "He steps out of the doorway sometimes to pick up the children."
Webster is being held at Western Tidewater Regional Jail.
The dindu in question:
- Joined
- Jan 18, 2016
Meet Lola, a Girl Who Gave Her Final Days to Science
Won't paste the whole text 'cause it's long as fuck, but it's an interesting and emotional mini-biography of a 12 year old who developed a tumor on her brain stem (DIPG) and decided to suffer through clinical trials in the hopes that it might lead to better medical treatment for patients in the future. Sounds like a particularly nasty condition that kills off kids afflicted with it within a year of their diagnosis. Worth reading if you're interested in medical science at all, or just want some news that isn't 100% doom and gloom; though the girl is now deceased, it's heartening knowing that there are people out there who will sacrifice their own comfort so that their suffering might be learned from to better help others. She was a very brave kid and I'm sure she'll be missed dearly by all those who knew her.
Won't paste the whole text 'cause it's long as fuck, but it's an interesting and emotional mini-biography of a 12 year old who developed a tumor on her brain stem (DIPG) and decided to suffer through clinical trials in the hopes that it might lead to better medical treatment for patients in the future. Sounds like a particularly nasty condition that kills off kids afflicted with it within a year of their diagnosis. Worth reading if you're interested in medical science at all, or just want some news that isn't 100% doom and gloom; though the girl is now deceased, it's heartening knowing that there are people out there who will sacrifice their own comfort so that their suffering might be learned from to better help others. She was a very brave kid and I'm sure she'll be missed dearly by all those who knew her.
- Joined
- Mar 9, 2014
The greatest shame being that someone so courgeous and full of potential won't get the chance to shine.
Regardless, I'd rather celebrate that a person as wonderful as her still lived in the first place.
Gives me hope.
Wallace
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Jun 23, 2015
Political Moderates Are Lying
Do most people legitimately disagree with one another? Or are they merely conforming to supposedly dominant ideas? Though there are legitimate disagreements, we contend that modern American political tribalism has been artificially inflated by group-based conformity. That is, the moderate majority’s submission to the demands of dedicated partisans has created a mirage of polarization.
One of the most important concepts for understanding social behavior is preference falsification. Developed by economist Timur Kuran, preference falsification occurs when an individual publicly misrepresents their private views to fit into a social group. It is conformity for the sake of social self-interest.
And reputation matters. We falsify our preferences to maintain or improve our standing within a group. Conformity to group preferences yields approval, affection, and advancement within the group. Disobedience, however, is reputational forfeiture as we may lose our seat at the vaunted “cool table.” The punishment for nonconformity is disrespect and ostracism.
But preference falsification raises more questions than it answers. Why do the vast majority of us, despite our supposedly moderate beliefs, adopt more partisan viewpoints? How did these viewpoints become mainstreamed? Who decides the rewards and punishments for conformity and dissent?
Consider this study by psychologists Serge Moscovici and Marisa Zavalloni. The researchers first asked participants their opinion of then French president, Charles de Gaulle. Next, participants were asked about their attitude towards Americans. Finally, the researchers asked the participants to discuss each topic as a group.
Discussion, it turns out, led individuals to become more extreme in their views. In particular, participants’ support for de Gaulle and dislike for Americans intensified as they learned that others shared these views. The researchers concluded, “Group consensus seems to induce a change of attitudes in which subjects are likely to adopt more extreme positions.” When we see our uncertain opinions echoed back to us, our beliefs strengthen.
We enjoy being around ideological compatriots. But this drive to associate with the likeminded has become excessive. Our communities are fragmented. And echo chambers are everywhere.
From what we’ve described, it is highly unlikely that most people within these groups are extreme partisans. It is instead more likely that moderates make up the rank and file. This raises an interesting question: how do moderates navigate this complex web of political tribes and echo chambers?
Simply put, they falsify their preferences. Most moderates conform to group preferences that have been established by committed ideologues.
Conformity is the key, here. Moderates must go along with the intransigent minority to get along with the group. In order to function within an echo chamber, less opinionated entrants must falsify their preferences so as to not upset those who decide the rules, rewards, and punishments. Moderates who agree with the gist of what the group stands for will often support fringe positions for the sake of group solidarity and reputational preservation. If you insist on telling the truth, your reputational goose is cooked.
Nevertheless, group-based conformity is dangerous. Especially when most of us don’t actually agree with the directives of our intransigent overlords. Conformity can lead us down a path that most of us did not want to travel.
Imagine a group of people trying to make dinner plans. One person suggests driving to a restaurant in a distant city called Abilene. Another person, not wanting to travel very far but dreading an argument, says “sure.” A third individual, now thinking that her two peers want to go to Abilene, doesn’t want to be the odd person out. She agrees that Abilene is a good idea. This domino effect leads to everyone thinking everyone else wants to go to Abilene when in fact a consensus does not exist.
This is called The Abilene Paradox, described by management expert Jerry B. Harvey. It resembles the aforementioned echo chamber. But the Abilene Paradox is stranger. It consists of individuals who do not agree with an idea yet acquiesce because of their mistaken belief that a consensus has been reached.
Why is any of this important? Well, if enough people falsify their preferences then many of us will begin to mistake polite but dishonest assent for the honest truth.
Suppose you and I publicly supported a policy we privately despised. If neither of us publicly dissents then we’ll continue to openly support this policy, making it more plausible than it actually is. And neither of us benefits when our “support” for this policy paves the way for its implementation.
As Americans, we collectively arrive at Abilene when we truly believe political polarization to be authentic. When moderates acquiesce to the beliefs of partisans, they signal to the opposition their ideological inflexibility and unwillingness to come together. It may even be the case that moderates on either side agree with another. But if no one speaks their mind, similarities are never discovered and compromises are never made.
Under these conditions, political caricatures and derogatory terms are accepted as truth. We’ll have bought into the idea that those on the other side are actually “deplorables” and “snowflakes.” Binary thinking, ideological brinksmanship, and bad faith assumptions will come to define us. Most importantly, we’ll have succumbed to belief that we have nothing in common.
In short, perception will become reality. The preference falsification which props up political tribalism will in time legitimize it. Indeed, believing that we are divided may be indistinguishable from actually being divided.
Unfortunately, the evidence now increasingly suggests that our inauthentic differences are becoming authentic. We are succumbing to the sway of partisans.
One of the most important concepts for understanding social behavior is preference falsification. Developed by economist Timur Kuran, preference falsification occurs when an individual publicly misrepresents their private views to fit into a social group. It is conformity for the sake of social self-interest.
And reputation matters. We falsify our preferences to maintain or improve our standing within a group. Conformity to group preferences yields approval, affection, and advancement within the group. Disobedience, however, is reputational forfeiture as we may lose our seat at the vaunted “cool table.” The punishment for nonconformity is disrespect and ostracism.
But preference falsification raises more questions than it answers. Why do the vast majority of us, despite our supposedly moderate beliefs, adopt more partisan viewpoints? How did these viewpoints become mainstreamed? Who decides the rewards and punishments for conformity and dissent?
Consider this study by psychologists Serge Moscovici and Marisa Zavalloni. The researchers first asked participants their opinion of then French president, Charles de Gaulle. Next, participants were asked about their attitude towards Americans. Finally, the researchers asked the participants to discuss each topic as a group.
Discussion, it turns out, led individuals to become more extreme in their views. In particular, participants’ support for de Gaulle and dislike for Americans intensified as they learned that others shared these views. The researchers concluded, “Group consensus seems to induce a change of attitudes in which subjects are likely to adopt more extreme positions.” When we see our uncertain opinions echoed back to us, our beliefs strengthen.
We enjoy being around ideological compatriots. But this drive to associate with the likeminded has become excessive. Our communities are fragmented. And echo chambers are everywhere.
From what we’ve described, it is highly unlikely that most people within these groups are extreme partisans. It is instead more likely that moderates make up the rank and file. This raises an interesting question: how do moderates navigate this complex web of political tribes and echo chambers?
Simply put, they falsify their preferences. Most moderates conform to group preferences that have been established by committed ideologues.
Conformity is the key, here. Moderates must go along with the intransigent minority to get along with the group. In order to function within an echo chamber, less opinionated entrants must falsify their preferences so as to not upset those who decide the rules, rewards, and punishments. Moderates who agree with the gist of what the group stands for will often support fringe positions for the sake of group solidarity and reputational preservation. If you insist on telling the truth, your reputational goose is cooked.
Nevertheless, group-based conformity is dangerous. Especially when most of us don’t actually agree with the directives of our intransigent overlords. Conformity can lead us down a path that most of us did not want to travel.
Imagine a group of people trying to make dinner plans. One person suggests driving to a restaurant in a distant city called Abilene. Another person, not wanting to travel very far but dreading an argument, says “sure.” A third individual, now thinking that her two peers want to go to Abilene, doesn’t want to be the odd person out. She agrees that Abilene is a good idea. This domino effect leads to everyone thinking everyone else wants to go to Abilene when in fact a consensus does not exist.
This is called The Abilene Paradox, described by management expert Jerry B. Harvey. It resembles the aforementioned echo chamber. But the Abilene Paradox is stranger. It consists of individuals who do not agree with an idea yet acquiesce because of their mistaken belief that a consensus has been reached.
Why is any of this important? Well, if enough people falsify their preferences then many of us will begin to mistake polite but dishonest assent for the honest truth.
Suppose you and I publicly supported a policy we privately despised. If neither of us publicly dissents then we’ll continue to openly support this policy, making it more plausible than it actually is. And neither of us benefits when our “support” for this policy paves the way for its implementation.
As Americans, we collectively arrive at Abilene when we truly believe political polarization to be authentic. When moderates acquiesce to the beliefs of partisans, they signal to the opposition their ideological inflexibility and unwillingness to come together. It may even be the case that moderates on either side agree with another. But if no one speaks their mind, similarities are never discovered and compromises are never made.
Under these conditions, political caricatures and derogatory terms are accepted as truth. We’ll have bought into the idea that those on the other side are actually “deplorables” and “snowflakes.” Binary thinking, ideological brinksmanship, and bad faith assumptions will come to define us. Most importantly, we’ll have succumbed to belief that we have nothing in common.
In short, perception will become reality. The preference falsification which props up political tribalism will in time legitimize it. Indeed, believing that we are divided may be indistinguishable from actually being divided.
Unfortunately, the evidence now increasingly suggests that our inauthentic differences are becoming authentic. We are succumbing to the sway of partisans.