ruby
@featheredfoehns.bsky.social
she/her 🏳️🌈
amateur writer and artist. just here to follow cool folks, enjoy cute birb pics, and do other nerdy nonsense.
never stop learning, think critically, take care of yourself, and remember that there is always hope so long as we fight for it.
amateur writer and artist. just here to follow cool folks, enjoy cute birb pics, and do other nerdy nonsense.
never stop learning, think critically, take care of yourself, and remember that there is always hope so long as we fight for it.
Reposted by ruby
Using neutral terminology is the best way to counter misinformation. Smart, reasonable people can be misled, but if you open by calling people “anti-vax assholes” or whatever, you’re not likely to convince anyone. There’s no point in speaking exclusively to people who already agree with you
July 25, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Using neutral terminology is the best way to counter misinformation. Smart, reasonable people can be misled, but if you open by calling people “anti-vax assholes” or whatever, you’re not likely to convince anyone. There’s no point in speaking exclusively to people who already agree with you
Yes!!! I'll need to remember to use this. This is exactly the shift in language we need right now. Folks who are hesitant about vaccines are not the problem here; it's those who are taking advantage of them. Thank you for differentiating. <3
July 26, 2025 at 4:29 AM
Yes!!! I'll need to remember to use this. This is exactly the shift in language we need right now. Folks who are hesitant about vaccines are not the problem here; it's those who are taking advantage of them. Thank you for differentiating. <3
Reposted by ruby
Instead I’ve been using “anti-vax influencers” which distinguishes them from normal folk and focuses not on what they do to vaccines, but what they do to people.
I’ve more recently started using “vaccine alarmists” and “vaccine alarmism.”
Do with this what you will.
I’ve more recently started using “vaccine alarmists” and “vaccine alarmism.”
Do with this what you will.
July 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Instead I’ve been using “anti-vax influencers” which distinguishes them from normal folk and focuses not on what they do to vaccines, but what they do to people.
I’ve more recently started using “vaccine alarmists” and “vaccine alarmism.”
Do with this what you will.
I’ve more recently started using “vaccine alarmists” and “vaccine alarmism.”
Do with this what you will.
Reposted by ruby
1. It’s too easy to have it accidentally apply to the merely hesitant, who then feel attacked and driven further into the safety of that community.
2. It focuses on what those people are doing to vaccines…they are “against vaccines.” But that’s not actually their job. Their job is scaring people.
2. It focuses on what those people are doing to vaccines…they are “against vaccines.” But that’s not actually their job. Their job is scaring people.
July 25, 2025 at 5:45 PM
1. It’s too easy to have it accidentally apply to the merely hesitant, who then feel attacked and driven further into the safety of that community.
2. It focuses on what those people are doing to vaccines…they are “against vaccines.” But that’s not actually their job. Their job is scaring people.
2. It focuses on what those people are doing to vaccines…they are “against vaccines.” But that’s not actually their job. Their job is scaring people.
This is an excellent article. Many thanks to the author for being vulnerable and sharing her experience, so that those of us who DON'T understand the attraction of AI companions can see why others fall for them.
July 15, 2025 at 6:31 AM
This is an excellent article. Many thanks to the author for being vulnerable and sharing her experience, so that those of us who DON'T understand the attraction of AI companions can see why others fall for them.
At the very least, it keeps us from looking rather pitiable to folks who do read the story. But it's especially vital in a world where bad actors are intentionally trying to turn us against legitimate sources and reporters. Those in power benefit from these knee-jerk responses.
July 15, 2025 at 6:31 AM
At the very least, it keeps us from looking rather pitiable to folks who do read the story. But it's especially vital in a world where bad actors are intentionally trying to turn us against legitimate sources and reporters. Those in power benefit from these knee-jerk responses.
Please, remember that sometimes these titles and hooks are meant to 1) reach people who ARE falling for AI, because outright criticism pushes them away rather than helps them, and 2) they're meant to grab our attention. Headlines rarely represent the entire story, and we have to read it in full.
July 15, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Please, remember that sometimes these titles and hooks are meant to 1) reach people who ARE falling for AI, because outright criticism pushes them away rather than helps them, and 2) they're meant to grab our attention. Headlines rarely represent the entire story, and we have to read it in full.
Hostile commenters: please, read the article in full. This is NOT a pro-AI article. It's saying that AI companions ARE NOT good for us. The opener is meant to show why AI companions can be attractive to people in vulnerable positions. The author interviewed two psychologists who have studied it.
July 15, 2025 at 6:31 AM
Hostile commenters: please, read the article in full. This is NOT a pro-AI article. It's saying that AI companions ARE NOT good for us. The opener is meant to show why AI companions can be attractive to people in vulnerable positions. The author interviewed two psychologists who have studied it.