Big Tech is a force multiplier. It amplifies the scale and scope of the damage. To make an analogy, it's like replacing muskets with machine guns. Capitalism was headed this direction long before tech came along, but with tools like these in their pocket, the scale of the disinformation went from "a serious problem" to "an existential crisis", and the tools we have to resist it are simply incapable of holding the line against the firehose of BS.

Blaming stupidity itself fails to address those who seek to exploit it.

That's my experience with the medical field as well. It breaks my heart, I used to trust doctors, but after some interesting experiences I am now convinced it's all a minstrel show held together with bailing wire.

I worked in a nursing home during Covid, including when the vaccine came out and it became mandatory for employees. Despite going through school to become nurses or aides, as well as witnessing all the horrors of Covid with their own eyes, some people chose to quit instead of get the vaccine.

I had no words, and I still have no words.

There's also the shingles vaccine, which (at least, in the US) is typically reserved for those 50+. I could understand if they limited the vaccine for those young enough to have been immunized against chicken pox. However, that vaccine wasn't released here until 1995, well after many of us (particularly Millennials and younger Gen X) already caught the disease. This leaves those of us under 50 in a vulnerable gap, where we're susceptible to shingles, but not allowed to be vaccinated against it. Of course it's especially dangerous for older folks, but that doesn't mean shingles won't kick the ass of an otherwise healthy 35 year old.

I personally fall into this gap, and I'm pretty pissed about it. I know people younger than me who've already experienced shingles, and it's frankly terrifying.