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Why Debate Acts as a Key Factor in Evolution

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Debate

Since the dawn of time, society has built itself up through a multitude of consistent patterns. At the crux of our evolutionary strategy, we find the conversation. As a frequent debater myself, I’ve been able to see the value in constructive discussion. 

Debating in modern-day society is generally looked at as an angry activity practiced by bigshot tv commentators to push a heavily biased narrative. However, the multifaceted impact of conversation is responsible for most scientific, social, psychological, and economic advancements. 

For the sake of visualization, let’s assume a scenario in which a sample human (A) has a lemonade stand. With steady, maintainable business and no competition, person A has nothing to worry about. Now, imagine that person A has a friend, person B. Mr. B, while being the best friend of A, decides to compete with his lemonade business. Without the competition of person B, Mr. A has no incentive to improve his stand. However, due to the controversy between the two perspectives, they’ll likely innovate a new product. This example acts as a parallel to the theory of debate! Only through having people question our opinions can we allow for the constant development of the human mind. 

Take science, for example. At some point, every universal truth has been questioned to absolute respect. The contention of ideas leads to two options. Firstly, the idea buckles under pressure. If a theory is not factually or logically sound, it’s unlikely to withstand the eye of criticism. Secondly, the idea continues to develop through research and analysis, cementing itself as a universal truth. The only way that we can come up with ideas that everyone accepts is by questioning them. Without being able to refute the refutation, your claims have no basis. 

In terms of science, the majority of controversial arguments are generally resolved with empirical findings. Without the clash, the study wouldn’t be conducted, leading to an unquestioned claim that could very well be false, wrongly influencing humanity. 

When talking about theory arguments, it gets a bit more subjective. However, debate isn’t limited to empirics. As a society, we have a nearly unanimous code of conduct. Without argumentative theory, there would be no laws, boundaries, or social structure as a whole. We follow the constitution because everyone can agree that citizens deserve a particular set of rights. Why? Because some time ago, two sets of values clashed, and ours came out victorious. 

However, universal truths are not exempt from criticism. The best part about the conversation is the idea that it can be applied to our society. Take the controversy on the 2nd amendment, for example. While the legislature acts in favor of it, that doesn’t make it illegal to argue against. There’s no harm in a collective debate. It always ends with a net gain of intellect. 

As humans, we want to advance. By continuing our curiosity, we will eventually evolve beyond our rational comprehension. Only by questioning our current state can we discover, propose, and enact solutions (which will likely be repealed or altered sometime into the future). Debate is not a competition, but rather a clash between two solvency parties looking for the most effective outlet. 

An avid social media user, Adam Meskouri hopes to showcase the stories of upcoming digital projects and brands. Through Genfluencer, Adam gives young social media entrepreneurs a platform to share their journey with the world. Besides Genfluencer, he enjoys public speaking and managing his large social media accounts.

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COVID-19 Cases Rise As New Delta Variant Spreads

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COVID-19
(via Mario Tama | Getty Images)

Several countries worldwide are now battling another wave of COVID-19 that is mainly due to the new Delta variant. Per several studies, this variant seems to be more contagious than the other previous strains.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the number of COVID-19 cases has risen by over 53% in the last week, and the Delta variant is responsible for 80% of these new cases that have been found in the USA. As of 30th July 2021, over 90 countries have been affected by this virus, with the epicenters being the UK, USA, Portugal, Germany, and India. 

On Thursday, 29th July, the CDC released details citing how the delta variant has changed the war against Covid-19. According to the CDC, this variant spreads faster than the common cold, the 1918 flu, and smallpox. 

To give more context about this new COVID-19 variant, let’s share some facts that you may need to know about it. 

The Delta variant has similar symptoms with the original strain 

People that have been affected by this variant appear to have similar symptoms to those with the older variants. However, physicians say the delta variant multiplies faster in the respiratory tract, making young people sicker faster. 

The Delta variant brings mild symptoms amongst the vaccinated 

Most of the vaccinated people are asymptomatic to this variant, so they will likely show no signs. However, some have experienced mild symptoms like headache, cough, fever, and significant loss of smell. 

The Delta variant impacts unvaccinated people more 

Currently, in the USA, over 97% of the people hospitalized with COVID-19 are unvaccinated. This new variant may easily lead to severe symptoms, hospitalization, and death for those not vaccinated. 

Experts are recommending wearing masks for even those that are vaccinated 

To safeguard yourself from this variant, experts recommend wearing masks even for those already vaccinated. However, experts still say people who are vaccinated are unlikely to get severe symptoms that require hospitalization. 

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How Activists Are Using Social Media To Fight Anti Semitism

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Anti Semitism
(via Tolga Akmen/Agence France-Presse | Getty Images)

Anti Semitism is defined as  “a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward Jews. Rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism are directed toward Jewish or non-Jewish individuals and/or their property, toward Jewish community institutions and religious facilities.” 

Anti Semitism is not a new form of hate. In fact, it has existed for thousands of years. Yet, to some extent, Anti Semitism has been recently streamlined through social media. Anonymity online has led to an uptick in hate speech towards various groups, one of which is the Jewish population. Because online posts generally see more minor consequences (in contrast to in-person actions and words), they’ve become a hub for extremism to flourish. 

But similar to how social media is used to spread Anti Semitic rhetoric, it is also being used to combat it. One organization that fights Anti Semitism online is Stop Anti-Semitism, founded in 2018 by Liora Rez. 

Liora, a previous content creator in her own right, pivoted her audience and built a new organization to focus on antisemitism. The organization reaches millions of people per month through social media platforms, their website, and a mailing list. Stop Anti-Semitism has also teamed up with reporters, law enforcement, congressional members, and global NGOs to help expose and stop antisemitism. 

The organization has been able to hold antisemites accountable through school suspensions, job losses, and arrests. StopAntiSemitsm is one of the biggest platforms fighting anti-Semitism on social media and has amassed a following of over 47,000. 

Another social media page fighting is Stand With Us. With over 330,000 followers on Instagram, their outreach is massive. Unlike the targeted approach that stops Anti Semitism takes, Stand With Us focuses on tackling antisemitism on a huge scale as well. They’ve sponsored many rallies against antisemitism across the world. At the same time, they’ve started up high school clubs all throughout America. Stand With Us is exceptionally organized, with over a hundred employees. 

As a member of the Jewish community, I find the rise of anti-Semitism extremely concerning. I know of many people within the Jewish community who have begun to hide the fact that they are Jewish as they fear repercussions that they may face. Social media has been used to inspire members within the Jewish community to be prideful of their culture and religion. At the same time, it has become the battlefield against the cancer of antisemitism. Stand With Us and Stop Anti Semitism are just a few of the dozens of accounts that focus on combating the rise in antisemitism.

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Social Media Challenges Florida With New Policy Announcement

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Social Media
(via Shutterstock | REDPIXEL.PL)

We previously told you about how Floridian Governor Ron DeSantis (R) recently signed a big anti-social media bill into law. 

The legislation targets big social media companies like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Under it, no longer can companies ban political candidates or officials from participating on their platforms. 

“What we have seen in recent years is a shift away from internet platforms and social media platforms from really being liberating forces to now being enforcers of orthodoxy,” Gov DeSantis notes.

That bill covers both statewide and national candidates, though the fines for social media companies removing statewide candidates are much bigger. If a candidate runs for statewide office, the penalty is $250,000 per day (compared to $25,000 a day for out-of-state positions). 

Many policymakers are contesting the premise of such a bill. Oregon senator Ron Wyden (D) notes: “The First Amendment to the United States Constitution — backstopped by Section 230 — makes it abundantly clear that states have no power to compel private companies to host speech, especially from politicians.”

Lawsuits against the bill (many of which are based on constitutionality and are led by social media platforms) have already emerged.

Likewise, Facebook’s new policy announcement importantly indicates that the social media giant isn’t backing down to the threat of fines. 

In the future, Facebook is now publicly looking to remove its rule on political exemptions, indicating that candidates and those in office no longer have near immunity for what they say or do on the platform. 

Previously, policymakers and candidates held a level of newsworthiness that made banning them on social media sites (in this case, Facebook) complex. 

Facebook explains: If “someone makes a statement or shares a post which breaks our community standards we will still allow it on our platform if we believe the public interest in seeing it outweighs the risk of harm.” That rule supposedly won’t be around for much longer. 

If Florida stays where they are, federal courts might also get involved. By extending into the topic of constitutionality, federal courts now have jurisdiction to get involved and overrule/uphold legislation created by the state supreme courts.

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