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Would public opinion have been different for the War in Iraq had Iraqi civilians had access to smartphones? (hexbear.net)

submitted 10 months ago* (last edited 10 months ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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There’s no doubt a key driver behind opposition to the Gaza massacre, especially among normie types, has been the footage from smartphones showing the mass destruction and casualties.

Hypothetically, if the War in Iraq occurred with 2023 smartphone technology, how would this have impacted public opinion?

Would Bush have been re-elected in 2004?

Also, for historians of the war, is there a particular atrocity during the war that has been documented by activists or watchdogs but has limited photographic evidence, that had it been recorded by smartphone, could have single-handedly turned the tide of public opinion?

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[–] [email protected] 10 points 10 months ago

I doubt it. People all over the world have smartphones and Americans are still bloodthirsty.

Americans seem slightly less bloodthirsty than in 2003 though. Back then it was completely unthinkable to advocate against war. The two national opinions were kill all Muslims immediately or kill all Muslims gently. Nowadays there seems much more nuance and a lot more difference in opinion, which is good. But I'd say that's more to do with a fraying country with less of a monoculture. I guess smartphones are part of that but people's conditions post 2008 are probably a bigger aspect.