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Replying to @michaelbd @dandrezner
zeynep tufekci Retweeted zeynep tufekci
More amazing: that claim is 100% false (nonsense, in fact) and that's an alt-right account using that lie to promulgate "high-IQ Asian protesters" fetishization. This spread so widely that it needs a study: geek fantasies as fake news vectors? My thread:https://twitter.com/zeynep/status/1168731678392504320 …
zeynep tufekci added,
zeynep tufekciVerified account @zeynepI'm seeing a lot of nonsense like this. Hong Kong protesters are tenacious and brave. They use water against tear gas canisters just like protesters in Tahrir Square, Cairo—not liquid nitrogen ffs. So many comments about how "Asian protesters" are smart, high-IQ—alt-right themes. pic.twitter.com/cPvl1pcLsNShow this thread1 reply 3 retweets 19 likes -
cc:
@nytdavidbrooks who also RT'ed it. There are at least two versions of this lie now, one that is alt-right and one that is "Bernie" tinged. Approaching eight million+ views. Both play on Asians/chemistry grads/high-tech blah blah mythmaking. Aka racism/geek fantasy.3 replies 0 retweets 4 likes -
So, just water?
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Yep. Just like protesters in Tahrir or Gezi. Standard fare. It may have sand in that thermos to absorb heat but it's water that does the work. I watched them fill jugs with water for weeks. Liquid nitrogen would not work, would be very dangerous, and hard to obtain/transport.
2 replies 0 retweets 1 like -
Replying to @zeynep @michaelbd and
Also, water works so no fancy chemistry needed. Plus, Hong Kong police are using the smallest tear gas canisters I've seen anywhere (so mild effect) and everyone who wants to be is geared with masks. The one new thing I did see is they flick them back with Badminton rackets!
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The danger they face, like most protesters, is canisters being fired at inappropriate angles (directly at them) and/or confined spaces. I've seen both. The canister hitting people is a real danger, led to both loss of life and eyes in many places, and injuries in Hong Kong.
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