[dadarepublic]

From what I gathered FTA it sounds like the author is putting forth the notion that Facebook is relying on old, mostly debunked theories around a "backfire effect" - when fact-checking increases polarization and results in the opposite of the intent of the fact-check.

The author then goes on to discuss how more recent studies (including their own research) and even some of the original authors of that pervious research had changed course and believe that fact-checking can indeed help course correct those misled by misinformation.

Therein lies the rub, according to the author Facebook's policies around the original research hasn't been updated to match more recent findings. This can be troubling given the stakes at hand.

[thisisnico]

Facebook would be so much better with fact-checking. It seriously would improve the state of the world.

[vorpalhex]

What makes you think that? Their moderation team is not paid well, mostly outsourced to contracting firms, and has no accountability.

What happens when their moderation team decides some anti-vax nuttery is "a fact" and then bans anyone disagreeing?

As a reminder, this is a group that handed out punishments for pictures of infants being breastfed.

[thisisnico]

I'm not insinuating that they use the same method used as the moderation team.

[cheez]

I don't know his name, but what was your opinion on that guy from Google who said we shouldn't force women into STEM for the equality, but let them do what they want (which may not be STEM.)

Is the world better off without that opinion (or fact, depending on who you ask?)

[thisisnico]

My opinion is that you cannot fact check opinion pieces. There is a difference between news and opinion articles.

[krapp]

You certainly can fact check the assumptions behind opinions or their sources, particularly in a venue where the intent of the author is to influence the reader into accepting an opinion.

[cheez]

What is a fact when it comes to sociological research?

[cheez]

But according to him, he was using facts backed by research.

You see how this can be sticky.