this post was submitted on 08 Dec 2024
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Summary

Jarrod Fidden, an Australian entrepreneur living in Ireland behind a conspiracy-themed dating app, now runs Wide Awake Media, a major climate denial account on X (formerly Twitter).

With over 500,000 followers, including high-profile figures, the account spreads anti-climate and conspiracy narratives while monetizing its content.

Experts note the platform’s lax policies under Elon Musk enable such accounts to thrive in echo chambers of disinformation.

Wide Awake Media exemplifies how conspiracists pivot to climate denial for relevance and profit, as climate disinformation continues to grow alongside rising awareness of the climate crisis.

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[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 50 points 3 weeks ago

Some rich asshole?

Yep, some rich asshole.

I bet you he doesn't have any kids. The article doesn't seem to mention any unless I missed it.

[–] ThePowerOfGeek@lemmy.world 26 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

So Jarrod Fidden is behind the account. But let's also acknowledge the full influence of Elon Musk in this too. The article hints at that. But Musk has a bigger hand than many acknowledge. It's not only the lax moderation policies he's imposed. His shitty, politically-driven, right-wing evangelizing and misinformation has emboldened and drawn in assholes like Fidden and ramped up their misinformation.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 10 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

It's really amazing that a guy who thinks it's his duty to impregnate women constantly doesn't seem to give a shit about their future.

[–] floofloof@lemmy.ca 7 points 2 weeks ago

It's all consistent with only caring about himself and his ego.

[–] ButtKiss@lemmy.dbzer0.com 21 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

Of course he's Australian, we gave the world Ruoert "the turd" Murdoch as well.

[–] FlyingSquid@lemmy.world 10 points 3 weeks ago (1 children)

I would have bet American before Australian.

But other countries have donated assholes and idiots to this crazy cause too: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bj%C3%B8rn_Lomborg

[–] scytale@lemm.ee 3 points 2 weeks ago

an Australian entrepreneur living in Ireland behind a conspiracy-themed dating app

That’s a mouthful. Also, it would be so ironic for Wide Awake Media to complain about woke stuff.