I have 2 accounts, one that I use for politics and news, conservative leaning, WSJ, Thomas Sowell, Peter Robinson (Uncommon Knowledge), Kimberley Strassel... that brand of conservatism, not talking about the crazy alt-right shit here which I don't follow, and a second account that I use for my work with only software dev stuffs and mainstream/more neutral media, Reuters etc, nothing that could brand me as conservative.
On my political & news account I'm always getting recommendations for CNN and other left-leaning commentators and media (no recommendation for other conservative outlets) at the top of my recommendation list, or some kind of outrageous claim that a right leaning person would have done, for example, right now got:
"Kellyanne Conway compares voting in person to waiting in line for cupcakes".
Another one: "Trump makes unsubstantiated claim that mail-in ballots will lead to voter fraud"
I also got "Don Lemon" on "Trending".
That's the kind of recommendation I'm not getting on my work account, where it's mixed between news (without any outrageous/divise claims unless there's really something crazy that happened that day) and other subjects targeted to my interests.
Is it a scientific proof, no, but once you spend enough time comparing with multiple accounts like that you can see a pretty clear pattern on how they try to influence, and it's not subtle even.
I'm implying that twitter favor non-conservative viewpoints, tolerate them because obviously it's good for business, but do whatever they can, without getting caught, to favor more liberal viewpoints.
At least it'd be clear if they said so, nothing worse than the current situation where they think it but won't say it because it'd be bad for business.
1. Most Americans use at least one of the "big 3" and since they all suffer from the same bias, I call it monopolistic.
2. Yes, I think this website (the users who react to the more political posts at
least) penalize conservative views. It's not unique to HN of course, if anything it's better than the rest, but it's pretty obvious yes.
3. You compare some personalities that only reach those who are interested in what they have to say with big corps that are unavoidable on the internet and that editorialize every piece of information we're getting, from our news, the video we watch etc.
One day at a time, without thinking too much about the future or the past, where most of the problems usually are.
> What's the point
Some find the point of life in the physical world, through their job, travel or some other activities, other need more spiritual food, whether it's philosophy or religion. Personally, I need both or after a while I feel out of balance.
Those questions are old as the world, so don't despair, you're not alone, and there are answers out there.
I'm the grand-parent comment so I feel a bit responsible for where it went so maybe I can clear what I meant here.
My view on the question of impermanence has been shaped by buddhism. I'm not a buddhist, I just discovered buddhism at an age and in circumstances where it talked to me and helped me a lot going through some very bad stuff.
I hope it explains better than I did what I meant by "nothing is permanent", and maybe it'll be of interest to you like it has been for me. Feel free if you want more pointers.
I don't think so. If I remember correctly, this documentary was more focused on the police unit that was in charge of this bridge (could be the Golden Gate, can't remember even if it was in CA now that I'm thinking), and so one of their task was to intervene in case someone seemed they could want to jump.
That particular police officer they were interviewing was a pretty old guy, who spent many decades working on that bridge and so have seen it all.
It was a good 5 years ago, maybe even more, so my memory is a bit hazy.
For me, the problem is death is final, while our experience of life is always changing.
Reminds me of that documentary I watched about a police officer that was working on that bridge, not sure which, in CA I believe, who have seen a lot of people jump and die. The few that survived (and who were badly hurt result of the jump) explained that as soon as they threw themselves in the void they immediately regretted doing it, and later on, in the hospital, with broken bones everywhere they were happy to have survived it and were pretty much cured of their death wish.
Here's an example:
I have 2 accounts, one that I use for politics and news, conservative leaning, WSJ, Thomas Sowell, Peter Robinson (Uncommon Knowledge), Kimberley Strassel... that brand of conservatism, not talking about the crazy alt-right shit here which I don't follow, and a second account that I use for my work with only software dev stuffs and mainstream/more neutral media, Reuters etc, nothing that could brand me as conservative.
On my political & news account I'm always getting recommendations for CNN and other left-leaning commentators and media (no recommendation for other conservative outlets) at the top of my recommendation list, or some kind of outrageous claim that a right leaning person would have done, for example, right now got:
"Kellyanne Conway compares voting in person to waiting in line for cupcakes".
Another one: "Trump makes unsubstantiated claim that mail-in ballots will lead to voter fraud"
I also got "Don Lemon" on "Trending".
That's the kind of recommendation I'm not getting on my work account, where it's mixed between news (without any outrageous/divise claims unless there's really something crazy that happened that day) and other subjects targeted to my interests.
Is it a scientific proof, no, but once you spend enough time comparing with multiple accounts like that you can see a pretty clear pattern on how they try to influence, and it's not subtle even.