This browser app is a playground build around a huge collection of arguments used during Corona related discussions. The imaginary two sides are (technically) referred to as Idiots and Sheep. The three usages currently implemented are:
- An UNO card game, played strategically with arguments, ad hominem labelling and other game cards to simulate an actual discussion between up to 10 persons.
- A Buzzword BINGO game, played with arguments used in a discussion. Use it to have more fun in either your own discussions on the topic or that of others.
- A Corona TEST, which allows you to find out which "side" you are on. Choose your "cycles" and after that number of Tinder like swipe left/right decisions on arguments presented you know if you're an Idiot or a Sheep.
Aside from making sound fun of an imaginary either/or division that many people think is real these days, this little app has big things in store: It wants to build bridges, create awareness and knowledge. It is for people who really want to deal with the arguments of the other side of the discourse. It wants to make sure that people approach each other again. It wants to be a valuable source and enable an open and well-founded exchange about this ubiquitous topic.
Technically it's a plain HTML/CSS/ES6 PWA. The app is internationalized and localized and contains a common core of universal, language independent arguments and sets of arguments only used and understood locally.
All internationalized application content is stored in HTML format in language-directories in the content directory:
<language code>/intro.html: the application intro<language code>/start.html: main application menu<language code>/uno.html: instructions for the uno game<language code>/bingo.html: instructions for the bingo game<language code>/test.html: instructions for the test<language code>/install.html: PWA installation instructions<language code>/support.html: Support instructions<language code>/labels.html: labels used by idiots and sheep<language code>/appeal-tos.html: appeal tos used by idiots and sheep<language code>/fallacies.html: fallacies used by idiots and sheep<language code>/topics.html: the local topics<language code>/result.html: the test result template<language code>/credits.html: the credits<language code>/attitude.html: the attitude (see next chapter)<language code>/legal.html: the legal notice
All internationalized arguments are stored in HTML format in language- and territory-directories:
<language code>/sheep.html: Common core Idiot arguments and labels<language code>/idiot.html: Common core Sheep arguments and labels<language code>/<territory code>/sheep.html: Territory local Sheep arguments<language code>/<territory code>/idiot.html: Territory local Idiot arguments
The arguments of the Common core have a unique id across all languagues:
I<n>for the Idiot argumentsS<n>for the Sheep arguments
The territory local arguments have a unique id with the territory code in it:
I<territory code><n>for the Idiot argumentsS<territory code><n>for the Sheep arguments
All pejorative / judgmental wording in the arguments should be set in italics so it can be removed according to the users attitude (see chapter Attitude). Example:
<p>They say<i> in all seriousness</i> that ...</p>
Arguments and topics are linked to each other. This can also be supplemented by local arguments and topics. The base links can be found in the top-level file topics.html, additions are in the respective topics.html within the localized folders. The entries each represent a topic in the following format
<section id="T<n>" title=""
The Sources for all Arguments are stored language-mixed in the top-level file sources.html.
A source is represented by an anchor with language, reference to the argument, the link url and the link text as text:
<a lang="en" class="I99" href="https://....">link text</a>
The app will only work on modern browsers as it relies on things like css animations, fetch and native es6 features like async/await, arrow functions, template strings and deconstruction. When Service Workers are available, it will also offline its content.
The App allows to configure your attitude. It will be stored in the local storage of your browser:
Skip the intro sequence.
Auto-Flip to the details for selected arguments.
Show the sources to the arguments immediately.
Do not randomly choose from pejorative labels for card titles.
Follow the label with a gender identity rights conformant extension.
Remove all pejorative argument wording (the text blocks set in italics).
The app allows to exclude topics from being used in the generation of game cards. This helps to deprecate old topics/arguments that are not common in discussions any more - or simply to exclude topics that you do not expect getting used.
In front of every topic title in the list you find a checkbox to toggle it's exclusion. If its checked, it will be used during the next card generation, otherwise not. Your choice will be stored in the local storage of your browser.
The app allows to deep link directy to arguments or topics, e.g. to transmit them to others. This can be achieved just by specifying either the topic id or the argument ids in the url's hash. Some examples:
https://new-normal.app#I17: Show idiot argument with idI17https://new-normal.app#S69: Show sheep argument with idS69https://new-normal.app#I17&S69: Show both arguments with idI17andS69https://new-normal.app#I: Show all idiot argumentshttps://new-normal.app#S: Show all sheep argumentshttps://new-normal.app#S&I: Show all arguments of both sides, first the sheephttps://new-normal.app#I&S: Show all arguments of both sides, first the idiotshttps://new-normal.app#T17: Show both the idiot and the sheep argument belonging to corona test topicT17
The following is in development or planned:
- Add more sources to all arguments for anyone to check
- Extend the number of available localizations by translating the common core and gather the local arguments used
The contents of this app - like our reality - are in constant flux. New arguments and topics are added regularly and others become irrelevant. In addition, there are arguments that are used worldwide (the common core) and arguments only used and understood locally. For keeping this up to date, your support is very welcome!
- Hints on missing/suboptimally described arguments
- Hints on sources to support/rebut arguments:
- Scientific, preferably peer-reviewed papers
- Statements by scientists/doctors, e.g. in interviews
- Articles from mass media
- Articles from alternative media
- In exceptions: Videos from Youtube and other platforms
- Contributing local arguments of a particular country
- Translating the Common Core of arguments
- Praise and/or constructive criticism in general 😉
- Make a pull request
- Send an email to kolja [at] new-normal.app
I would like to thank all friends and family members who fearlessly got into discussions and ultimately provided the inspiration and content for this game. As well as
- all scientists, who are fully committed to reason and the scientific approach,
- all journalists, who see themselves as a real corrective and as the "fourth power",
- all artists, who, despite the new normal, do not shy away from critical art and
- all philosophers, who currently help us to make sense of whats happening through critical thinking.
And finally these nerds who invented this internet.
Font: HVD Crocodile
Flip Effect: Flipside
Pyro Effect: Eddie Lin
Jumping Virus Effect: Kuba Koischwitz 🐿️
PROUDLY MADE IN BERLIN CHARLOTTENBURG.
This Applications content and code is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
