Letting fringe theories exist on YouTube does not stop you from accessing the WHO or CDC website.

Those fringe theories have now embedded themselves into the government itself and directly have contributed to the rot of our public health institutions. So in many ways yes, they do.

That happened while Youtube was not allowing it as well.

Fringe theories existing and being allowed to persist has led to wide takedowns of information from government sites including the CDC.

Really?

Experts have a worse track record than open debate and the COVID censorship was directed at even experts who didn’t adhere to political choices — so to my eyes, you’re saying that you’d give in to authoritarian impulses and do worse.

The problem with debate is that it hinders organized action.

At some point in any emergency, organized action has to be prioritized over debate.

Maybe that is still authoritarian, but they do say to have moderation in all things!

That’s not at all how you’re taught to handle emergencies.

From health emergencies to shootings to computer system crashes to pandemics — doing things without a reason to believe they’ll improve the situation is dangerous. You can and many have made things worse. And ignoring experts shouting “wait, no!” is a recipe for disaster.

When we were responding to COVID, we had plenty of time to have that debate in a candid way. We just went down an authoritarian path instead.

> The problem with debate is that it hinders organized action.

Ah… so… ”we must do something! Even if it’s the wrong thing”

Hot take.

God forbid someone hinder some retarded organized action before enough peoples’ lives are ruined that our majestic rulers notice and gracefully decide to stop.

No it doesn't. It allows for correct action to be taken.

Luckily, it is possible for you to just listen to those you trust. No need for you go pick through other people's opinions.

I don't see how that turns into you needing to mandate what I read and who's opinions I hear.

There has been a massive uptick in anti-vax rhetoric over the last decade. As a result some Americans have decided to not vaccinate, and we are seeing a resurgence in diseases that should be eradicated.

I have a three month old son. At the time he was being born, in my city, there was an outbreak of one of those diseases that killed more then one kid. Don't tell me this stuff doesn't have a direct impact on people.