I'm seeing something really scary on You tube lately

[Beatlelvr]

I watch "reactions" to music, mostly young folks hearing classic rock or blues, suggested by viewers. Recently these people are reacting to suggested videos praising the right wing and Trump. One says the Dems were pro slavery, etc. Never mentioning the parties have literally changed places, or how the Repub party of today is not the party of just a few years ago. These go out to lots of people who don't follow politics or current events but believe something because there's a video! With lots of positive feedback from viewers. It's scaring the crap out of me.

[bucolic_frolic]

1. It's misinformation, GOP social influencers trying to create a bandwagon effect.

Could even be Russians.

[Phoenix61]

2. Bots working overtime. nt

[Caliman73]

3. While concerning, remember proportion.

There is always a small portion of the population that believes stupid things. With the internet and social media, it has grown, but not as much as some have feared.

You may be experiencing an effect of bias. Kind of like when you are interested in a specific model of car, suddenly you start seeing it everywhere. You are currently primed to notice right wing ideas in Music Reaction videos. While those can get hundreds of thousands if not millions of views, the proportion and the population are still very small. Plus, many of those responding are typically trolls and agitators that try to boost views or who simply like to upset people.

Concern is normal. Scaring the crap out of you likely means you should take a step back from watching for a bit.

[wnylib]

4. My guess is that it's one or two paid persons behind this

spreading of RW views. They are targeting young folks because they know that today's young people lean left.

I don't know how you could prove that the responses are made by paid influencers or if it would matter to you tube rules. I agree that they can reach many people who would believe them. The only counter measure I can think of is for people on the left to do our own influencing at those sites.

[brush]

5. So much lack of knowledge of history, and what you mention...

of how the republican and Democratic parties have more of less switched stances vis-a-vis racism and liberalism/progressivism...most emphatically in the mid-60s with events like LBJ seating Fannie Lou Hamer's Freedom Democratic Party at the '64 Democratic convention.

[blm]

6. I've posted about this as well. RightWingers

are PAYING reactors, especially minority reactors, to play these videos rife with propaganda against Democrats and promoting fascist ideology.

The reactors are raking in the cash. Still, it’s just a small, out-of-pocket expense for RNC for such an effective tactic.

[JHB]

7. I've had some of those turn up in my recs too.

Sometimes not a lot of history, sometimes the bulk -- except for some recents -- were music, but then they're reacting to Thomas Sowell videos and the like.

I'm wondering how many have taken that as a tactic to drive engagement by catering to wingnuts. You can always count on RWers happy to see black people nod along with their less-than-honest sources.

[Initech]

8. If you don't like it, use the block and report function.

If enough people report offensive content, every platform has to do something about it.

[Beatlelvr]

13. Sounds good

I'll try it

[Scrivener7]

9. Everyone is saying, "Ho hum. It's bots." I think that's nuts. Where are our bots to counteract

the misinformation??

[Johnny2X2X]

10. The shorts are crazy

Both FB and Youtube force feed me Rightwing short videos, no matter what I upvote or down vote, Andrew tate shows up in my feed over and over. It's very obvious something is awry.

[hurple]

11. These used to be fun

I have watched a few of those reaction vids in my time. Usually to see what the youngins think about some of my favorite songs. They are usually pretty entertaining.

But to hear that the fascist-wing has started seeding even those channels with their propaganda is disheartening. Is there *anything* they can't taint with their hate-filled agenda?

[Midnight Writer]

12. I've noticed the same.

Many "reactors", who are often very personable, likable folks, don't seem to have the tools to recognize propaganda and lies.

It's fun to watch young people react to "old" music and films. It's disappointing to watch them swallow whole the product of RW disinformation specialists.

This is just a public example of the internet "grooming" people who aren't prepared to differentiate the quality of the content they are consuming.

It is scary to realize this process is going on countless times a day with people who do not post their reactions online.