Can we trust user that spread false and dangerous news on COVID19?

[bitbollo]

I have noticed that there are some people who continuously and arbitrarily disseminate false information about COVID19 here on Forum.

Like posting a Ponzi/Bitcoin Doubler, I think that they can harms other people, since these discussions are about health... and not just "opinions" like "Pepsi is better Then Coke".
Plus they haven't any basic culture on these argumentation and are just copy/pasting theories without a minimum criteria.

I'm talking about the worst of the worst,  posted on forum without any evidence/logic ... just a few examples....
-COVID19 has pieces of HIV
-5G that spread the virus
-which was created in the USA and then released in China
-ops now has been created in china and then spread to USA
-World Health Organization wants to kidnap people
-"THEY" are going to put the Microchips
-follow "non-scientific/unofficial" health suggestion made by fake doctors
a long long list of crappy arguments....

I wonder, can we trust these people who continually spread false and dangerous news by rejecting any logical explanation?

What do you think?

[Mbitr]

Unfortunately, it’s not just happening on this forum it’s happening everywhere- all social media is having to put up with this nonsense ! It won’t change and next year it will be some other topic that people feel the need to post uninformed and click bait stupidities.
As far as trust goes , personally I wouldn’t trust them per se, but wether they are trustworthy people I can’t offer an opinion. I assume most of these threads and/or post are mainly used by members to increase post count, merit seeking sensationalism and/or provoking a pointless argument .
Hopefully the vast majority of members will see it for what it is and ignore it - I know it is difficult as these threads/posts are everywhere!
Be safe and hold your head up high 

[mole0815]

this is generally a difficult topic.
there are always people who believe things that 99,99% (of people who think differently) are wrong.
also conspiracy theories are always in the beginning when it comes to important issues.

this has not only something to do with the current virus but is a general topic.
in any case it has nothing to do with bitcointalk itself and therefore the meta section is probably not the right place for this conversation.

[YOSHIE]

Now many people spread the word about COVID-19 Hoax not responsible.

You can trust about the COVID-19 virus through the government in the country where you live and also from the world's official government that officially treats COVID-19.
You should not easily believe about VOVID-19 to the unofficial and misleading.

For official information from around the world you can see here: https://www.worldometers.info/coronavirus/, this might help you.

[Upgrade00]

If you want to discuss trustworthiness of other users, Reputation is the most appropriate board in my opinion.
To the question, if someone is spreading falsehood on a very salient issue, whether ignorantly or deliberately, I would be less inclined to trust such person.

I wonder, can we trust these people who continually spread false and dangerous news by rejecting any logical explanation?

Also if someone is being illogical and obstinate in an argument, I would hardly regard the person's opinion going forward. This does not imply whether they may not not be honest in a trade, but it's a red flag (figuratively speaking) in my opinion.

[logfiles]

There's nothing you can do about it mate in the current world scenario, If we look at it from an angle of freedom of opinions or expression. Well you may try to distrust everyone who brings up a conspiracy theory or false news they believe in and you may get tired of it in the end.

It's like people who believe that the Earth is flat or people who think that there's supposed to be more than 2 genders. You just leave them to their stupid beliefs, ignore them and move on. Sooner or later they won't have the attention they are trying to seek.

However, if someone brings up something that may lead to people getting scammed or losing money like asking for fake COVID19 donations, Fake COVID19 websites and coins then hell yeah, you can distrust, flag and paint them red.

[Cnut237]

I have noticed that there are some people who continuously and arbitrarily disseminate false information about COVID19 here on Forum.

I wonder, can we trust these people who continually spread false and dangerous news by rejecting any logical explanation?

It is certainly the case that a lot of false information is spread about the virus on here. However, the question of intent is important. We need to distinguish between trolls and people who genuinely believe this stuff. For example some people do really believe that 5G masts cause (or may cause) the virus. This may be unsubstantiated, it may fly in the face of evidence and science, but still, some people believe it. Doesn't mean that we shouldn't trust them, just that we should be wary of accepting their claims. But then this is true no matter who is making a claim and on whatever subject. Truth is determined through data, evidence, and reproducible experimental results.

Blatant trolling and spreading of misinformation in order to create fear, panic etc is a different matter and these people should not be trusted. Sometimes it is easy to identify these people, sometimes not.

[o_e_l_e_o]

There are a lot of people on this forum with a variety of utterly insane views on a variety of topics, everything from believing the Earth is flat to believing that drinking bleach will cure COVID-19. Having a proportion of conspiracy nuts and pseudoscience believers is the price you pay for having a forum which espouses free speech, and we shouldn't be seeking to censor or remove them in any way.

The trust system should not be used because of differences in opinion, even when the other person's opinion (as in these cases) is completely moronic. It should be used for things that make trading with that person high risk. There might be other reasons why these users would be high risk to trade with, but not understanding science doesn't automatically mean that person is more likely to default on a loan or scam you in a trade.

[Timelord2067]

Who might "they" be that are spreading misinformation on this forum?  Examples to back up your assertions would be appreciated too.

[Cnut237]

Who might "they" be that are spreading misinformation on this forum?  Examples to back up your assertions would be appreciated too.

Just have a look at the first couple of pages of Politics and Society. Plenty of examples there.

But as I (and others) said above, there is a distinction between someone who genuinely believes this stuff (which is fine) and those who are trying to cause trouble/scam (which isn't).
Most of these arguably fall into the former group. Personally I am happy to debate with people who I think have crazy views, although at times it can be frustrating - probably for them as well as for me.

[bitbollo]

Thank you all for your contribution, very much appreciated.

In the case of COVID19 (we leave out the other strange theories...) I am concerned to see that harmful informations are shared by "high level accounts" without a warning (high risk to get a physical damage)  or DT1 red trust.
EG: "drinking bleach helps you cure COVID" or "xxx treatment guarantees healing".
These informations can harm someone as it can happen by promoting a bitcoin-doubler or a ponzi site.

Science is evidence based is not just an opinion and no one should spread unproven remedies.
I noticed a constant increase of this information in the various "serious" topics as if these people are taking "courage" or maybe since they are unemployed have more time to spend in this hobby.

I have no idea if they are trolls or simply "conspiracy" but they can harm people that read these kind of stuff this is why I opened this topic and ask my question: "Can we Trust these people?"

[sheenshane]

Good discussion mate, I also encountered users who have crazy views about COVID19. There is no source of what they said, it's a pure conspiracy theory on their own. But there's nothing we can do since we have different views about COVID19 and all of us have a freedom to speak as long it is not off-topic. Once it is off-topic we can simply report to the moderator using the magic button " Report to Moderator" and let them handle those posts.

If they make the worst statement with regards to COVID19 false statement (or malicious scam link) that you don't like, probably that is the time you will include them to your ignored list.

Anyway, in our place. Those people who spread fake news in social media about COVID19 will put in jail. Probably it is also good if there is punishment for those users.

[Csmiami]

EG: "drinking bleach helps you cure COVID" or "xxx treatment guarantees healing".

I can live with conspiracy theories, some of them can even bring a good laugh from time to time. But any post suggesting people to commit suicide/physically harm themselves should be deleted ASAP, and I'd even consider a temp-ban on such accounts. Fuck freedom of speech if you are trying to get people killed with it.

Needless to say, never trust such a person

[bitbollo]

There are some people that share also these (bleach) remedy https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/dont-drink-bleach-to-prevent-coronavirus-poison-control-center-warns but maybe these are so obvious and mosts will no try.  

But, I have seen user sharing here on forum an experimental treatment (actually used only in re-animation and not for cure COVID19 or prophylactic usage) with a commercial drug, like the "solution" for COVID19.

I am scared to see these information posted as "real information" since this specific product is "easy" to find at pharmacy and you can have also in your pharmaceutical cabinet...
If someone use this medicine without medical assistance it's going to die in a couple of hours... likewise drinking bleach.
Sharing these information about medicine (without a disclaimer/warning) it can seriously harm some one since I guess not all people have the same information related health treatment.

[The Sceptical Chymist]

If you see anyone promulgating unscienfic "facts" like your example:

-COVID19 has pieces of HIV
-5G that spread the virus
-which was created in the USA and then released in China
-ops now has been created in china and then spread to USA
-World Health Organization wants to kidnap people
-"THEY" are going to put the Microchips
-follow "non-scientific/unofficial" health suggestion made by fake doctors
a long long list of crappy arguments....

...I would suggest taking a few moments and rebutting their claims with facts (if you have them) or at least asking them to provide references which back up their claims.  Who knows what the motivation is behind spreading misinformation--part of it could be reliance on rumor; misunderstandings; and outright maliciousness.  In the end it doesn't matter why someone is spreading false information, but when you see it you ought to challenge it lest others see it, think it's true, and spread it even further.

Free speech is well-tolerated on bitcointalk, by the way.  That basically means that mods aren't going to be quick to delete posts by conspiracy theorists or others who spew mis- an dis-information.

[Timelord2067]

...

You're a great guy - but who are "they" that you speak of?  I'm not going to go looking for them - this is your thread, please give examples of who on DT1 (or any other rank) "they" are.

[bitbollo]

Hi The Pharmacist,
I prepared and providing to some of these users "long explanation" (like 3 or more pages) where I debunked each sentence of crappy youtube posted, spending on this activity some hours during my free time.
For What?
I received as reply "You can't change my idea"... or "You (group of people ) will not win ( )"

Or, just as example, if you claim without evidence/proof that "COVID19 has pieces of HIV " how I can discuss since it's like speaking about "fried air"?

About free-speech, yes it's ok for me, isn't a problem at all since I don't like censorship.
But if some one use this as an excuse and providing DANGEROUS information  
it's the same situation we have with Ponzi.
They are free to speech but we give a clear WARNING to all USERS.

You're a great guy - but who are "they" that you speak of?  I'm not going to go looking for them - this is your thread, please give examples of who on DT1 (or any other rank) "they" are.

I don't want accuse anyone in public this is not my interest and I Want just try to understand what is the better solution to handle these situations since also these kind of stuff can harm other people.
If you (or other one) want specifically information just send a MP or check my previous post history since as I replied here I have already spent several hours debunking these fake/dangerous informations

[suchmoon]

I am scared to see these information posted as "real information" since this specific product is "easy" to find at pharmacy and you can have also in your pharmaceutical cabinet...
If someone use this medicine without medical assistance it's going to die in a couple of hours... likewise drinking bleach.
Sharing these information about medicine (without a disclaimer/warning) it can seriously harm some one since I guess not all people have the same information related health treatment.

Then add a warning by replying to such posts.

To answer your question - no, we should not trust users who spread this nonsense. But we shouldn't use red trust for it (being stupid is not necessarily a risk in a trade). Perhaps a neutral rating with a clear and concise rebuttal of their nonsense would help, however a direct reply wherever possible is the best option IMO. And yes, they'll probably drown your reply with further nonsense but if anybody is prone to believing it to begin with then they would still believe that stuff even if the user gets red-trusted or banned or whatever.

[Welsh]

This isn't exclusive to the forum, and this applies to some "well known" news sources as well, yet people will, and do trust whatever they read from a source which is perceived at an authority figure. I hate to say it, and I hate that this is true, but if a newbie spread false information about anything you'd be far more inclined to question it, but if it was a user like theymos as an example, you'd be far more likely to believe it without further investigation. Although, this is a bad thing as theymos, and any other authority figure within any community can be just as wrong as anybody else, but its the way most humans work. For example, notoriously shit news sources like the daily mail & s*n are terrible in almost every single way, yet there are people out there that trust these sources.

Its the same here. Some people will trust what people say, and some won't. We aren't going to start censoring people for having their own views, and opinions about something. Can you trust them? Probably not, although even if it was from a perceived trustworthy user of the forum, just because you trust them with exchanging money does not mean you can trust their opinions, and views.

The great thing about lack of censorship is you can call them out for their bullshit without any issues from a moderation point of view, and trust point of view.

[thesmallgod]

It is difficult to stop people from spreading hoax because I do not want to call some of the information false. However, anyone that spread fake news to promote a ponzi scheme should be refuted. This is not the time and there will never be allowed time that such will be accommodated on BTT. It is sad that the world is going through this at this moment and it is absolutely crazy to spread fake news