AI
Are Lizard Brained Conspiracy Theorists the New Normal?
In a world increasingly dominated by misinformation, disinformation, and outright absurdity, the recent trend to dismantle fact-checking and content moderation is an absurd-at-best dystopian nightmare-in-the-making. Elon Musk’s transformation of Twitter (now X) into a right-wing echo chamber, coupled with Zuckerberg’s announcement that Meta will abandon fact-checking entirely, signals a dangerous shift in the digital landscape. As AI and deepfake technologies make it harder than ever to distinguish truth from lies, the removal of these guardrails has created a breeding ground for conspiracy theories, hate speech, and outright lunacy. This article explores the implications of this shift, the absurdity of these decisions, and the rise of what can only be described as a new normal: a media landscape overrun by lizard-brained conspiracy theorists.
The Musk Effect: Twitter’s Descent into Chaos
Since Elon Musk acquired Twitter in 2022, the platform has undergone a dramatic transformation. Once a space for diverse voices and real-time news, Twitter has become a haven for right-wing extremists, conspiracy theorists, and purveyors of hate speech. Musk’s decision to reinstate banned accounts, including that of former President Donald Trump, and his embrace of so-called “free speech absolutism” have led to a proliferation of misinformation and disinformation.
Musk’s recent endorsement of Trump and his alignment with far-right figures globally have further cemented Twitter’s reputation as a right-wing stronghold. His posts, often fueled by fringe accounts that appear on the “For You” page, have drawn criticism from former Twitter executives, who suggest that Musk has “fallen down the rabbit hole of radicalization by his own product”.
Zuckerberg’s Kowtowing to Trump
Mark Zuckerberg’s announcement this week that Meta will abandon fact-checking on Facebook and Instagram marks a troubling capitulation to Trump and his far-right agenda. In a video statement, Zuckerberg claimed that fact-checkers were “too politically biased” and had “destroyed more trust than they’ve created.” Instead, Meta will rely on a “community notes” system similar to X’s, where users can add context to posts. Zuckerberg framed this move as a return to “free expression,” but critics see it as a blatant attempt to appease Trump and his supporters.
The timing of this announcement, just weeks before Trump’s inauguration, is no coincidence. Meta has already donated $1 million to Trump’s inauguration fund and appointed several Trump allies to key positions within the company. Zuckerberg’s decision to loosen content moderation rules, particularly around politically charged topics like immigration and gender identity, has raised concerns about the platform becoming a breeding ground for harmful content.
The Absurdity of Removing Guardrails in the Age of AI
The decision to dismantle fact-checking and content moderation comes at a time when the spread of misinformation is more dangerous than ever. Advances in AI and deepfake technology have made it increasingly difficult to distinguish fact from fiction. Deepfakes, which combine manipulated visuals with fabricated text or audio, pose a significant challenge to traditional misinformation detection methods.
Zuckerberg’s claim that community notes will suffice in this environment is laughable. Without professional fact-checkers, platforms like Facebook and Instagram will struggle to combat the spread of false information, particularly in critical areas like public health, elections, and climate change. The result will be a media landscape where conspiracy theories thrive, and the truth is buried under an avalanche of lies.
Social Media Backlash: Zuckerberg Becomes the Target
In a twist of irony, Zuckerberg’s announcement has made him the target of the very misinformation he now refuses to combat. Social media users have flooded platforms with absurd and intentionally extreme posts about Zuckerberg, claiming he died, is a pedophile, and even underwent a “rat penis transplant” before his speech. These posts, while clearly satirical, highlight the absurdity of Meta’s new approach to content moderation.
The backlash on TikTok and other platforms has been swift and merciless. Users have mocked Zuckerberg’s decision, with many pointing out the hypocrisy of a billionaire tech mogul claiming to champion free speech while silencing critics and kowtowing to authoritarian leaders. The hashtag #ZuckerbergLies has trended globally, with users sharing memes and videos lampooning Meta’s new policies.
The Rise of Lizard-Brained Conspiracy Theorists
The decisions by Musk and Zuckerberg to dismantle fact-checking and content moderation have created a perfect storm for the rise of lizard-brained conspiracy theorists. These individuals, who thrive on misinformation and reject evidence-based reasoning, are now free to roam and multiply across an increasingly corrupt media landscape.
The consequences of this shift are dire. From undermining public health efforts to destabilizing democratic processes, the unchecked spread of misinformation poses a significant threat to society. As one TikTok user put it, “We’re living in a world where facts don’t matter, and the loudest voices win. It’s a dystopia, and we’re all just along for the ride”.
So what?
The decisions by Musk and Zuckerberg to abandon fact-checking and content moderation represent a dangerous capitulation to the forces of misinformation and extremism. As AI and deepfake technologies make it harder than ever to separate fact from fiction, the removal of these guardrails has created a media landscape where conspiracy theories endlessly thrive, and the truth is increasingly elusive.
The rise of lizard-brained conspiracy theorists as the new normal is not inevitable. It is the result of choices made by powerful individuals who prioritize profit and political expediency over the public good. As users, we must demand better from our platforms and hold these tech billionaires accountable for the damage they are causing. The future of our democracy depends on it.
References
- Ars Technica: EU “Energetically” Probing Disinformation, Right-Wing Bias on X
- NPR: Meta to End Fact-Checking Program on Facebook and Instagram
- Springer: Special Issue: Misinformation for Societal Benefits in the Generative AI Era
- Fortune: Mark Zuckerberg Takes a Cue from Elon Musk
- IEEE Xplore: Deepfakes, Misinformation, and Disinformation in the Era of Frontier AI
- ITV News: Mark Zuckerberg Announces Changes to Fact-Checking on Meta
