I'm going to do blog posts on things that catch my eye, and not follow all the various helmet-fire freakouts or unseemly celebrations. These are going to be contentious times, as anyone who remembers the years between November 2016 and the Spring of 2020 could predict. People will get burnt out on politics, and I don't intend to be one of 'em.
Individuals will be physically hurt as politics play out in the real world and the only advice I have to offer is to try to zig when the bad stuff zags. Protests and rallies carry a small risk if you're going with the flow, but the various kinds and intensities of riot absolutely do not care what your politics are or if you and all your friends think you are a good person: get in the way and you will come to harm. Understand both the odds and the stakes. Don't go doing stupid things in stupid places with stupid people.
Mind the trolling and poking. As the Cynic philosopher warned, "Boys throw stones at frogs in jest, but the frogs die in earnest." And remember that while gentle persuasion sometimes works, screaming at people will never change their minds. It just encourages them to yell back. After a while, everyone is yelling and nothing gets done.
And as always, the Idiot Box is lying to us- and that included the miniaturized digital version. Extreme emotions are a great way to sell something.
ReplyDeleteWe should treat them with suspicion, always.
"The media" is going to bombard us with constant, round-the-clock coverage of all the Trump actions from both sides of every issue. I believe I'll just turn "the media" off for the next four years.
ReplyDeleteI had a quiet, reasonable conversation with one who told me he had voted for [the felon in the White House] the other day. I asked how he felt about actions from the White House, so far. Oh! He had no idea. He hadn't followed the news in several years.
ReplyDeleteI would advise Joe and Anon to not assume "the idiot box" is all lies, or to ignore it. It's often hasty; many prats are biased. But there's information there, and usually enough to point you to where you can find out more. Cast a wide net, and be skeptical -- but don't chose ignorance. It too often leads to unpleasant surprises.
ReplyDeleteAgreed on the "Ignorance is Not Bliss" thing, and there is a signal amidst all that noise. But we are in an environment where money is to be made by riling people up with stories of partisan outrage; or sooving their doubts with some copium.
DeleteFiltering takes a bit of work, honesty, and a good knowledge of logical tools- but who's got time for that?!?!