[Timon3]

> My apologies, you talked about scandals on the GOP side.

I don't understand how that leads you to understand that I am affiliated with them?

>> Yes, I can rule out confirmation bias.

> How?

First please explain how confirmation bias on my side would influence the amount of deleted comments and threads in that subreddit.

It somehow seems that you really want that subreddit to be representative of the average conservative. And if anyone disagrees, you throw out accusations to see what sticks. Why?

[JCattheATM]

> I don't understand how that leads you to understand that I am affiliated with them?

It doesn't, I misremembered your wording as something that did. That is what my apology was for.

> the amount of deleted comments and threads in that subreddit.

See, I just don't think this is as significant as you do - there are still plenty of dissenting opinions on there.

> It somehow seems that you really want that subreddit to be representative of the average conservative. And if anyone disagrees, you throw out accusations to see what sticks. Why?

It's not about just that sub, look at the asktrumpsupporters sub also, look at every other media source where people can give opinions, paid or guest. I'm arguing more that MAGA folk are still generally in support. I think the conservative sub shows that, but even without it I think that point stands.

[Timon3]

> See, I just don't think this is as significant as you do - there are still plenty of dissenting opinions on there.

But you don't know what kind of dissenting opinions they're deleting, because you're not looking at it! How do you know they don't just leave the "accepted" dissent, and delete anything that goes beyond that? This would completely change whether the subreddit is representative, and you would have no idea. And again: that is exactly what I've seen.

Dissent isn't a binary thing. The content matters far more than its mere presence.

> It's not about just that sub, look at the asktrumpsupporters sub also

That's also not a good yardstick. Not only do those mods explicitly state that they delete comments by Trump supporters that show strong dissent, multiple long-time TS there have eventually admitted to playing a role, trying to make conservatives look as bad as possible.

> I'm arguing more that MAGA folk are still generally in support

Sure, I'm not doubting that. They're hopeless cult followers. All I'm saying is: that subreddit is incredibly propagandized and should not be taken as representative of anything.

[JCattheATM]

> But you don't know what kind of dissenting opinions they're deleting, because you're not looking at it! How do you know they don't just leave the "accepted" dissent, and delete anything that goes beyond that? This would completely change whether the subreddit is representative, and you would have no idea. And again: that is exactly what I've seen.

Well, this is where our experiences differ, because I've been observing that sub for years, and I've seen the threads and comments that get deleted, and I don't think it changes much in the way you do.

If they only deleted comments from comments on the left, I think the sub would still be representative, maybe less so, but still so.

> Not only do those mods explicitly state that they delete comments by Trump supporters that show strong dissent, multiple long-time TS there have eventually admitted to playing a role, trying to make conservatives look as bad as possible.

Do you think any subs are representative? Do you think all the numerous people defending the murder of Renee Good and defending ICE were bots? What about X, or Gab, where it's easy to find mass opinions mirroring those subs?

[estearum]

> Do you think any subs are representative?

Easy: Probably not. You definitely don't have any rational reason to assume any sub is actually representative of any group.

[JCattheATM]

Please stop replying to me. I don't value your input and you clearly don't value mine, so why continue? I'm not trying to discuss anything with you, please stop trying to force discussions with me.

[estearum]

It may come as a surprise, but other people read forums. In fact, the vast majority of users read and do not write.

While I understand you do not wish to have any contrary contributions made to your thinking, I am making a productive contribution for the many readers here who may be grappling with this issue themselves.

Of course you are welcome to converse on a non-forum format if you wish to have private conversations and to have total control over who may respond to you.

I personally have a vested interest in a society that's more rather than less capable of understanding reality, and using appropriate tools to do so, so I'll continue to contribute toward that end.

[Timon3]

> If they only deleted comments from comments on the left, I think the sub would still be representative, maybe less so, but still so.

If they stopped deleting comments by conservatives, it would be less representative than it is now when they're also broadly deleting dissent from conservatives? How does this make sense?

[JCattheATM]

Because the deleted dissent is not so great in number as to change the sub from being representative to non-representative.

Let me ask you again: Do you think any subs are representative of conservatives? Do you think all the numerous people defending the murder of Renee Good and defending ICE were bots? What about X, or Gab, where it's easy to find mass opinions mirroring those subs? Where is the conservative home on the internet where everyone is against what is happening?

[Timon3]

> Because the deleted dissent is not so great in number as to change the sub from being representative to non-representative.

That does not relate to the question I asked. You said that the sub would be less representative if they stopped deleting conservative dissent. How would it be less representative?