Their entire account is clearly dedicated to toeing the CCP party line, but HN operates under a veil, and you sometimes have to just ignore the slight Chinese man underneath and respond in good faith.
My first reaction to your comment was to write a vitriolic answer about how easy it is to dismiss someone's answer as propaganda when it is uncomfortable. But then I've read his comments and damn! You're right, he's clearly pushing an agenda.
Which makes me wonder: when I first read his post I found it quite interesting and, in fact, it confirmed my experience as a non-American that occasionally watches contemporary American action movies: they're sickeningly propagandistic and paint the military in a way that is, to say the least, unrealistic. It always bothers me, but I'm used to the idea that many people in America buy the idea that soldiers are their heroes, fighting for them and saving the country. It's an idea that in my European country is much less effective and widespread (even if recently the right is trying to make it a thing).
In any case, now I'm wondering what is true and what is not about his statement. I guess I'll have to research it, as I'm curious to know more about this. I have to say that this shows that the trick with propaganda is not to lie but to use some specific facts as a weapon.
Honestly, I wish I had made a throwaway for talking about "political" topics. This account was meant for my more professional stuff. For various reasons I gradually "came out" and rebuked a few hate and war mongering posts. And your comment sounds much like one I believe I made days ago about the rise in anti-China/Eastern smears getting attention on HN.
Please do respect my privacy, but I am an actual, verifiable person who has no affiliation with reputation management, psyops intelligence groups and so on in any country (neither private nor state groups btw).
What I've posted is true, and many others have expanded on it. Some of their supportive posts I'll try find time to research and confirm myself!
"Facts as a weapon", well that's flattering--"pen mightier than the sword" sort of vibe.
But having my history looked into, my identity found, employers contacted in efforts to have me fired, that is scaring me. That's a weapon governments use to squash dissent against their use of fascism, and I don't see it as good use of facts as a weapon.
My immediate thought is to delete all my posts, change my usernames everywhere and shut down professional accounts. But then the pushers of Chinese occupation, invasion, suctions, proxy-wars or general weakening of a state I admire (at least above others) get a gold star.
Anyway, I'm going to stop posting. Hopefully I can find another username I like when I want to post about product releases.
dantondwa|6 years ago
Which makes me wonder: when I first read his post I found it quite interesting and, in fact, it confirmed my experience as a non-American that occasionally watches contemporary American action movies: they're sickeningly propagandistic and paint the military in a way that is, to say the least, unrealistic. It always bothers me, but I'm used to the idea that many people in America buy the idea that soldiers are their heroes, fighting for them and saving the country. It's an idea that in my European country is much less effective and widespread (even if recently the right is trying to make it a thing).
In any case, now I'm wondering what is true and what is not about his statement. I guess I'll have to research it, as I'm curious to know more about this. I have to say that this shows that the trick with propaganda is not to lie but to use some specific facts as a weapon.
noah-kun|6 years ago
Honestly, I wish I had made a throwaway for talking about "political" topics. This account was meant for my more professional stuff. For various reasons I gradually "came out" and rebuked a few hate and war mongering posts. And your comment sounds much like one I believe I made days ago about the rise in anti-China/Eastern smears getting attention on HN.
Please do respect my privacy, but I am an actual, verifiable person who has no affiliation with reputation management, psyops intelligence groups and so on in any country (neither private nor state groups btw).
What I've posted is true, and many others have expanded on it. Some of their supportive posts I'll try find time to research and confirm myself!
"Facts as a weapon", well that's flattering--"pen mightier than the sword" sort of vibe.
But having my history looked into, my identity found, employers contacted in efforts to have me fired, that is scaring me. That's a weapon governments use to squash dissent against their use of fascism, and I don't see it as good use of facts as a weapon.
My immediate thought is to delete all my posts, change my usernames everywhere and shut down professional accounts. But then the pushers of Chinese occupation, invasion, suctions, proxy-wars or general weakening of a state I admire (at least above others) get a gold star.
Anyway, I'm going to stop posting. Hopefully I can find another username I like when I want to post about product releases.
Lewton|6 years ago
I checked and no it’s not
The person is very clearly pro-China. But “their entire account” looks like a normal hacker news user except for their political leanings
codesushi42|6 years ago
To the mods: potty mouths aren't the problem on HN, the spreading of fake news is.