Hacker News Reader

Do you truly think algorithmic virality is a reliable indicator of what’s real?

Of course not.

But that syncs up with what I've observed in my own life (saw multiple brazen robberies for the first time ever over the last few years) and makes sense logically given the recent predictable economic + societal mental-health destruction we've seen.

Additionally, it fits into the most reliable indicator of what's real, namely if the corporate media is trying to convince you of something, you'd have a good chance of being right by considering the opposite to their opinion.

The point is that the data show that the few incidents you’ve witnessed firsthand are not indicative of a larger trend.

I don’t really see how your framing here is coherent. Social media is corporate media.

You can choose to believe whatever you want or redefine any terms that you want.

I'd just say that I think it's wise to reevaluate how important anecdotal evidence and gut instincts are when you know you live in a house of liars.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com