Needed this today: 'There’s nothing wrong with the way we see the world.' For the first time in 3 years, following some well-meaning concern from family members, have found myself questioning my worldview, wondering if it's a sign of anxiety rather than, say, a rigorous analysis of the best information I've managed to glean from the widest range of the most trusted sources I can find. Such a strange time to be a human. We spend our lives being schooled in research and critical thinking, only to be criticised for our unwillingness to opt for convenient delusion. I guess it's healthy to keep tabs on ourselves, but as you write, surely it's pragmatism that's called for now, not this weird paralysis of yet more magical thinking. It definitely feels weird to be an outlier.
You have been missed, Jessica. SNAFU is the term for what is going on, as you know - but nobody writes it like you. The Willow project is obscene. As is Thomas, and he has been from the get-go. I watched the Anita Hill hearings. Yet another woman pilloried for standing up for the truth. Hang in here, please. And watch the skies.
I missed your writing. I will say that I agree about the importance of social media in getting informed. But also to motivate action in the real world. To get to know neighbours and make common cause. To protest. Often and loudly. To slow this erosion of civil liberties and civilization.
I’m on social media because Murdoch owns most Australian outlets and the public broadcaster has been stacked by the previous right-wing government. Social media gives access to experts around the world on climate, COVID, politics and transformative technology. It also gives a little voice where observations and re-posts can be made - and excellent contributions like this one can be found. Thanks again.
"Sometimes you don’t really need a break from social media. You need a break from people. They can be a bit much these days, even online, and even when they act like they want civil discussion. (Many of them don’t.)"
Ain't that the truth, Jessica!
I stopped posting on FB and Instagram a couple of years ago. Others I only post on sporadically. I decided to use different platforms for different conversations. LinkedIn for Indigenous connections and support, Mastodon to support my Medium articles, Twitter for some politics now and then and that's pretty much it. A couple of good friends and a super spouse and that's enough for me! Keep it coming. I love most of your articles both here and on Medium.
I’ve also gone through phases of deleting my socials to get away from aspects of it that I despise, but the issues that I seek to avoid never go away and always linger. I think a lot of the rhetoric surrounding deleting social media is that you are ‘unplugging from the matrix’ so you can live your life ‘authentically’, so to speak, without the algorithms mediating your life, but this rhetoric ignores the fact that social media and the content it produces exist in the larger fabric of our society, it’s merely just a nexus point - the issues that many people have with it isn’t really the issues with social media but with society as a whole imo. This is why I’ve found having a hiatus from social media achieves nothing, and whilst I still do believe that minimising social media is a good thing (for the most of the same reasons as Byung Chul-Han, if anyone’s interested in that), it’s really not seeing the forest for the trees.
Anyways those are just my twopence, I’m a new subscriber and just want to say that I’ve not found a writer on Substack that I resonate with so much, your article on ‘not wanting to meet up’ was just the best. You style of writing is amazing!
Thanks for another thoughtful piece, jw. My social media is limited to Reddit, Chris Hedges, and you. Reddit gets me the information I seek while you and Chris give me cause to see things anew.
The future will be what it is. I’m ready enough, and hope to be able to help my adult children carry on after I’m gone. My heart is heavy with fear about the future my grandchildren will encounter. I hope they build the skills and perspectives they’ll need. I am relieved that a couple of my kids have decided not to bring children into the world.
I have found peace amidst the turmoil of modern life. I’m one of the lucky ones; I can put food on the table, keep a roof over my head, and not be burdened by the certainty of the doom that is fast approaching. The human experience can be joyful, creative, and downright miraculous. I remind myself to notice this every day. Your words help me do this.
Welcome back, fellow tornado dodger! I took a bit of a break too, mostly to collect my scattered wits after that tornado chewed through the end of my street. I've been a practical prepper for many years but have found very few people who were interested. Even my sister waved me off. Apparently, weather awareness is "Chicken Little crap", according to her husband.
Shyeah, right. I crashed for nearly 3 days after the power came back on and the adrenaline wore off. The nearest cell tower cut off all broadband access, and limited transmissions to voice and SMS, so I was offline until things were spliced back together. They don't tell you about stuff like that online. Nor about all the looky-loos cruising up my once quiet street and clogging up the main drag. You don't hear about the local grocery store having to throw out or give away all the frozen and refrigerated food because of the power outage. Sure, this was a very localized disaster, but it was still a disaster. The digital world with its mud-fights barely existed.
But a ton of people called and texted to check up on me. Everyone from my friends and former work colleagues to distant cousins and nice church people with backpacks full of water and snacks. Real people, real neighbors, some who I met when I set up a charging station in front of my home, since I had a whole home generator. It was a strange way to meet people, but perhaps I planted an idea or two in some minds. Seems like a bit of prepping isn't such a bad thing after all, and wasn't I that lady who talked about having a CERT team? Even my sister and BIL are starting to ask the good questions. All I can do is be a good example.
I just got a paid subscription to your 'Stack. And I'm going to get serious about my own writing, too. Thank you for the brain food. Stay well.
Welcome back. Like many other readers I find myself in the position of trying to raise awareness of our situation yet not being the one who no one wants to hear "it" from anymore. This publication reminds me to keep trying.
Needed this today: 'There’s nothing wrong with the way we see the world.' For the first time in 3 years, following some well-meaning concern from family members, have found myself questioning my worldview, wondering if it's a sign of anxiety rather than, say, a rigorous analysis of the best information I've managed to glean from the widest range of the most trusted sources I can find. Such a strange time to be a human. We spend our lives being schooled in research and critical thinking, only to be criticised for our unwillingness to opt for convenient delusion. I guess it's healthy to keep tabs on ourselves, but as you write, surely it's pragmatism that's called for now, not this weird paralysis of yet more magical thinking. It definitely feels weird to be an outlier.
We’re glad you’re back.
So glad you're back and grateful for your truthful doomer voice. One of the only places and people I don't feel constantly gaslit by.
You have been missed, Jessica. SNAFU is the term for what is going on, as you know - but nobody writes it like you. The Willow project is obscene. As is Thomas, and he has been from the get-go. I watched the Anita Hill hearings. Yet another woman pilloried for standing up for the truth. Hang in here, please. And watch the skies.
Love ❤️ your articles and perspective and you capture it perfectly
I’ve been off all social media for over two years, and returned only today to check out seemingly promising Substack Notes. I’m with you.
I deleted my social media accounts. My one worry was that I wouldn’t be able to amplify stories and info on the climate crisis.
But now you have to pay to be in Twitter’s main flow of the algorithm.
If you don’t your account flatlines.
Facebook is now charging people for “security.”
What’s that old expression?
Nope.
And I agree Jessica, reality remains the same, whether we give it a heart or a thumbs up or not.
I missed your writing. I will say that I agree about the importance of social media in getting informed. But also to motivate action in the real world. To get to know neighbours and make common cause. To protest. Often and loudly. To slow this erosion of civil liberties and civilization.
I’m on social media because Murdoch owns most Australian outlets and the public broadcaster has been stacked by the previous right-wing government. Social media gives access to experts around the world on climate, COVID, politics and transformative technology. It also gives a little voice where observations and re-posts can be made - and excellent contributions like this one can be found. Thanks again.
"Sometimes you don’t really need a break from social media. You need a break from people. They can be a bit much these days, even online, and even when they act like they want civil discussion. (Many of them don’t.)"
Ain't that the truth, Jessica!
I stopped posting on FB and Instagram a couple of years ago. Others I only post on sporadically. I decided to use different platforms for different conversations. LinkedIn for Indigenous connections and support, Mastodon to support my Medium articles, Twitter for some politics now and then and that's pretty much it. A couple of good friends and a super spouse and that's enough for me! Keep it coming. I love most of your articles both here and on Medium.
Missed you.
Wishful thinking, yes.
But what lies at the heart of all troubles is magical thinking.
I’ve also gone through phases of deleting my socials to get away from aspects of it that I despise, but the issues that I seek to avoid never go away and always linger. I think a lot of the rhetoric surrounding deleting social media is that you are ‘unplugging from the matrix’ so you can live your life ‘authentically’, so to speak, without the algorithms mediating your life, but this rhetoric ignores the fact that social media and the content it produces exist in the larger fabric of our society, it’s merely just a nexus point - the issues that many people have with it isn’t really the issues with social media but with society as a whole imo. This is why I’ve found having a hiatus from social media achieves nothing, and whilst I still do believe that minimising social media is a good thing (for the most of the same reasons as Byung Chul-Han, if anyone’s interested in that), it’s really not seeing the forest for the trees.
Anyways those are just my twopence, I’m a new subscriber and just want to say that I’ve not found a writer on Substack that I resonate with so much, your article on ‘not wanting to meet up’ was just the best. You style of writing is amazing!
Glad you're back. You have it nailed, and many years ago, Pogo (the cartoon character of Walt Kelley) said, "We have met the enemy, and he is us."
Thanks for another thoughtful piece, jw. My social media is limited to Reddit, Chris Hedges, and you. Reddit gets me the information I seek while you and Chris give me cause to see things anew.
The future will be what it is. I’m ready enough, and hope to be able to help my adult children carry on after I’m gone. My heart is heavy with fear about the future my grandchildren will encounter. I hope they build the skills and perspectives they’ll need. I am relieved that a couple of my kids have decided not to bring children into the world.
I have found peace amidst the turmoil of modern life. I’m one of the lucky ones; I can put food on the table, keep a roof over my head, and not be burdened by the certainty of the doom that is fast approaching. The human experience can be joyful, creative, and downright miraculous. I remind myself to notice this every day. Your words help me do this.
Welcome back, fellow tornado dodger! I took a bit of a break too, mostly to collect my scattered wits after that tornado chewed through the end of my street. I've been a practical prepper for many years but have found very few people who were interested. Even my sister waved me off. Apparently, weather awareness is "Chicken Little crap", according to her husband.
Shyeah, right. I crashed for nearly 3 days after the power came back on and the adrenaline wore off. The nearest cell tower cut off all broadband access, and limited transmissions to voice and SMS, so I was offline until things were spliced back together. They don't tell you about stuff like that online. Nor about all the looky-loos cruising up my once quiet street and clogging up the main drag. You don't hear about the local grocery store having to throw out or give away all the frozen and refrigerated food because of the power outage. Sure, this was a very localized disaster, but it was still a disaster. The digital world with its mud-fights barely existed.
But a ton of people called and texted to check up on me. Everyone from my friends and former work colleagues to distant cousins and nice church people with backpacks full of water and snacks. Real people, real neighbors, some who I met when I set up a charging station in front of my home, since I had a whole home generator. It was a strange way to meet people, but perhaps I planted an idea or two in some minds. Seems like a bit of prepping isn't such a bad thing after all, and wasn't I that lady who talked about having a CERT team? Even my sister and BIL are starting to ask the good questions. All I can do is be a good example.
I just got a paid subscription to your 'Stack. And I'm going to get serious about my own writing, too. Thank you for the brain food. Stay well.
Welcome back. Like many other readers I find myself in the position of trying to raise awareness of our situation yet not being the one who no one wants to hear "it" from anymore. This publication reminds me to keep trying.