Yes, that’s true, of course, and it’s the reason why no clear patterns can be found here. However, as is often the case with conspiracy theories, this could also be dismissed as a distraction from the conspiracy.

But you are absolutely right: we should stick to the facts—this idea is just a nightmare scenario for me because even in democratic systems it would make freedom, self-determination, and above all the hope for better times almost completely impossible.

That we may be living in a world where the super-rich and powerful from all countries have conspired to establish a kind of global absolutist monarchy of the utterly unscrupulous, in which fabricated conflicts between countries serve mostly to distract from the fact that those pulling the strings behind the scenes have already undermined every political system and are simply pitting people against each other in order to secure even more power for themselves through war, mass surveillance, propaganda, the rationing of essential goods, and blatant destruction.

Please note: This is a conspiracy theory with no solid evidence, not a fact, but a dystopia that unfortunately seems increasingly realistic these days.

You said that philanthropy is not misused to avoid taxes—that is definitely wrong, but if you want to believe it, please do.

You need to be more specific. I’m not going to waste my time refuting your statement because I can’t even begin to imagine how you came up with that.

I’ve seen this news story so many times – months ago. And considering the inhumanity of this administration, the blatant violations of the law it commits, the blatant racism, and how it tramples on constitutional democracy, I am constantly amazed that it seems to be this stirring up American sentiment. That’s probably how it is in the age of social media. No reason but a emotional story with a puppy dog is what it takes to reach people.

Edit just to be on the safe side: This does not only apply to the US, of course—it is the same worldwide.

I can’t say how the tax avoidance strategies of the super-rich work in practice, but in any case, their feigned philanthropy is a key part of it.

I assume that tax avoidance is also a factor.

Wouldn’t Kinder Surprise me at all.

ChatGPT is allowed, but chocolate eggs with toys inside are supposed to be too dangerous? 🤔

I’d say what was passed under the name “big beautiful bill” is sadly more than just symbolic and the deportation of thousands upon thousands of foreigners is not either.

With this comment, you are simply stating that you are incapable of engaging in rational discussion.

I don’t think they were aware of what this meant for them. Discussing why they voted the way they did, and why so many apparently didn’t vote at all, seems rather pointless to me now.

The question seems to me to be whether the American people will manage to shake off their agony and fight back. Despite the protests, which are naturally to be welcomed, I see no signs of this happening. I don’t think this will be enough, because these protests are not large enough to pose a threat to the government— and to my knowledge, there are no plans for a general strike.

It seems to me that the majority of US citizens have already resigned themselves to their fate or are not prepared to take the necessary risks to defend what remains of their democracy, which is a shame because I don’t think the majority of US citizens want a dictatorship (maybe some still don’t comprehend what this actually means for their lives).

Therefore, in my opinion, things will turn out as feared, because no resistance is to be expected from the Democrats, and I consider a recourse to the legal system to be absolutely unrealistic—it is already too deeply infiltrated (the proof of this is the fact that the incumbent president is still the incumbent president instead of being in prison for all his serious crimes).

I’m sorry to be so pessimistic, but I think this assessment reflects reality.

It’s interesting that this regime is already behaving as if the dictatorship it clearly aspires to has already been established. They obviously feel quite confident about their cause.

Well, they can afford to be, because it doesn’t look as if they have anything to fear in the way of consequences. Every day, I read alarming reports about abuse of power, open corruption, systematic racism, absurd policies that run counter to the interests of US citizens, blatant disregard for the law, and the involvement of high-ranking government officials in prostitution and pedophilia. But I never read anything that would suggest that those responsible are being held accountable.

I therefore assume that the establishment of a dictatorship à la Russia is already so far advanced that it won’t be prevented - and by that I mean a transformation of the plutocracy that has long been the norm in the US into an unvarnished autocracy, including all the associated methods of repression, in other words, the transformation of the US into a full-blown dictatorship.

So you think it’s okay for the US president to spread misinformation? You really don’t see a problem with that, even though you yourself talk about “information hygiene”?

Do you have any examples?

Most of the misinformation I regularly find on top are statements made by the US president or his administration – and these are news reports in an appropriate context with appropriate commentary by Lemmy users. Occasionally, very rarely, I have also seen misinformation about the US president, but I don’t see that as much of a problem.

Rather, I see it as a very serious problem that the US president himself and his administration are massively spreading misinformation. That is what my question refers to.

That’s certainly a good point, but I’m less concerned with how to verify information than with how to counteract the constant flow of misinformation — especially on other platforms where misinformation is deliberately pushed, which is causing major problems in my home country alone.

Unfortunately, I believe that social media does influence people’s decisions very much. If that weren’t the case, criminals like Trump could never be elected president, and 20-25% of the people in my home country wouldn’t vote for open Nazis.

Nevertheless, thank you for your valuable contribution: In addition to technical possibilities, I am also interested in how to deal with people who do not accept rational arguments - the Socratic method is probably the best way to make a point with them.

I’m only on Lemmy, but I don’t think my individual decision will make a difference—and unfortunately, I don’t think anyone should realistically expect it to.

I think anyone who is already here has recognized the problem.

That’s exactly why I’m asking. What patriotism is or should be, I can’t answer, but I can say that what the self-proclaimed patriots in America are doing atm seems to me like the opposite of what this this strange concept should be about, because they are helping to cement an oligarchy - and that can’t be in the interests of US citizens.

Edit: Just to be clear: If you are a US citizen and disagree with the administration’s policies, I would consider you a patriot – but I am probably the worst person to ask about this.