When the concept was raised on an IETF list by one of the founding fathers of email, I thought he was joking. I was wrong.
For one, they have limited ability to know what is shared, I don't think I've used a page based share button in years. For two, they might incorporate stats from social networks or may not. For three, they could easily be curating the list.
Also I have read so many "this place is an echo chamber" pieces about left spaces and none about, like, Daily Stormer and I just don't give a shit anymore
I'm just picturing youtu.be/fLFAXvFYhsE?... as a frustrated comedian
YouTube video by Auralnauts
Maybe I'm thinking too highly of the average reader. Maybe they'll fall instead for the normalization. You won't convince any Trump supporters with an outright denunciation... but tie the boat anchors around their necks, how bad the proposals are and how they won't even do what they claim.
But including the absurd alternative, despite seeming like an attempt at normalizing it, instead feels like a Modest Proposal. It allows people to compare and contrast minor issues with a policy against the absolute ridiculousness of the other candidate.
Without the "balance", this would be an article critiquing the Harris policy plan. That type of article comes off as just criticism and negative, no likely benefit to the candidate.
My first take was also wtf, but now I'm not so sure. This feels different than the other false equivalence/balance articles because it's so absurd.