Highly recommend I’m doing a big rethink of my relationship w social media We shall see where that lands - ThreadSky

This is my personal opinion; most Americans are poorly educated, uninformed, or don't have intellectual curiosity; therefore, we receive the government we deserve.

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lemonstarr7.bsky.social•52 days ago

I don’t think the government deserve to succeed because we’re stupid collectively. Kinda like, yeah people should avoid scams and tricks, but I don’t think tricksters and scammers deserve to profit and win off of tricking and scamming ppl, ykwim?

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marcellowh.bsky.social•52 days ago

Not everyone is stupid but it's enough for them to be manipulated or given enough misinformation for them to react in a fashion that goes against their economic or social interests. There's a quote to simplify myself

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lemonstarr7.bsky.social•52 days ago

Ive read that quote before, and honestly I do agree with that sentiment too. Like it’s the truth of the world, it def co-exists with my ideas! Bc I don’t disagree with you, but I feel like another perspective keeps us positive

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marcellowh.bsky.social•52 days ago

I would appreciate your perspective on this. I am optimistic that future generations will correct the direction of our course. This change won’t happen in eight years; rather, it will take twenty to thirty years. People will likely have to endure significant hardships or face another crisis.

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lemonstarr7.bsky.social•52 days ago

I may take 20 years, it could take 4, because unfortunately the Changes we endure, the timeline isnt so linear. We should start doing the work now. We got nothin better to do than to save the world, after all

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booksdogscoffee.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thank you.

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slipperypete98.bsky.social•52 days ago

i have dumped facebook and twitter ...bluesky im rolling with until further notice

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michelle1034.bsky.social•52 days ago

Same for me

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gjahn.bsky.social•52 days ago

Just checked this out on hold from my library.
Thank you for the recommendation.

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mariarose01.bsky.social•52 days ago

Nice. Thank you. You may also like Ece Temelkuran’s book, “How to Lose a Country: Seven Steps from Democracy to Dictatorship”. Turkey’s journey.

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thank you!

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americanprodigy.bsky.social•52 days ago

Checking Amazon now

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lesaystad.bsky.social•52 days ago

The irony.

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augustusoctavius.bsky.social•52 days ago

She is one of my heroes.

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

Me too!

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augustusoctavius.bsky.social•52 days ago

Another hero, not known by many in the West. Ai Weiwei. He beat the Chinese Communist Party, but paid a heavy price.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EXbTMZopyk

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

Yes!

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anand-blithe.bsky.social•51 days ago

Just don't be a silent spectator,
Dare to stand upto a dictator.

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jaybesa23.bsky.social•52 days ago

The rappler's CEO! that's a nice book you got there!

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bigdaddylipscomb2.bsky.social•52 days ago

I want this book! Which can also read as, "How to get out of jury duty"

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mcatherinel.bsky.social•52 days ago

I think we are all going to need to keep a low profile w social media. My father's advice keeps warning me Loose lips sink ships

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votecnp.bsky.social•53 days ago

I guess we all need to read this in the US...

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

I believe we do

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sifyi57.bsky.social•52 days ago

I'm surprised Trump didn't bannes this book...

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jay-lynn-farrow.bsky.social•53 days ago

Being new to this, I’ve watched and wondered at some fascinating behavior on Bsky. Whatever you choose to do with your social media, or if you walk away entirely, I hope you find a measure of peace.

We could all benefit from being more aware.

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dkamboh.bsky.social•52 days ago

Great share!

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wabbler2025.bsky.social•52 days ago

the damokles sword. as long comments don´t get censored it is a good way to share knowledge. Goebbels’ most extended discussion of the nature of propaganda given on 9 January 1928 , a series of training talks for party members in Berlin https://research.calvin.edu/german-propaganda-archive/goeb54.htm

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softblossom.bsky.social•53 days ago

Pls send that to Luigi Mangione ^^

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mayorgoose.bsky.social•52 days ago

thanks for the rec! Just downloaded it on Libby!

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myandra.bsky.social•52 days ago

The people who needed to read this, don't read, unless it's on Facebook.

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forthelongtermgood.bsky.social•52 days ago

Please explain "relationship with social media." I think I know what you're saying but am not sure.

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

I’m wondering if I continue using social media at all or if I should use it differently

I’m not sure yet

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forthelongtermgood.bsky.social•52 days ago

I understand. I will definitely not use social media that's owned by an entity that is a conglomerate or wants to use me. I want to find a collection of clear thinkers and best practice news reporting.

I do enjoy the camaraderie of like minds exchanging ideas. Bluesky has been the best for this.

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paulduane.bsky.social•52 days ago

I’m in the same boat. It doesn’t feel like it did ten years ago. Something crucial has shifted and I am trying to recalibrate.

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

I have used the word “recalibrate” more in since the recent election than I think I have in my whole life

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nonoy00.bsky.social•52 days ago

We should learn from Ressa...

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h20woman.bsky.social•52 days ago

Dragnet Nation by Julia Angwin is also a good read.

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thank you!

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onioneyes.bsky.social•52 days ago

Great book. Finished it myself, last week. Love Ressa's prose.

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michelle1034.bsky.social•52 days ago

Interesting! I’ve been rethinking my social media use as well. I deactivated twitter the night of the election,and couldn’t be happier. Some accounts I encountered were very toxic and needy. One account committed credit card fraud,when I gave a donation 🙄 I’m going to check this book out . Thanks

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ronnie118.bsky.social•52 days ago

I know how to "Make a dictator feel lonely" in order to defeat a dictator, of course before he goes violent. Define a bad dictator, extremely selfish, ego maniac, violent. Ignoring them completely, refusing his money & power offer, hugging a tree and dog instead...the world will be a better place.

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ronnie118.bsky.social•52 days ago

Need a " how to stand up to a dictator, idiot's guide". Or "how to stand up to an idiot dictator who even wants to destroy the world." Please help me, I desperately need both.

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bobbysneakers60.bsky.social•52 days ago

Read this last year and here's what I learned from it. https://2longinthewasteland.blogspot.com/2024/08/weave-mesh-together-from-bright-spots.html?m=1

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bluesky411.bsky.social•52 days ago

𝔣𝔦𝔫𝔞𝔩𝔩𝔶 𝔞 𝔟𝔬𝔬𝔨 𝔱𝔥𝔞𝔱 𝔱𝔞𝔨𝔢𝔰 𝔶𝔬𝔲 𝔱𝔥𝔯𝔬𝔲𝔤𝔥 𝔱𝔥𝔢 𝔭𝔯𝔬𝔠𝔢𝔰𝔰 𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔭 𝔟𝔶 𝔰𝔱𝔢𝔭 !!!!!

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annaanz.bsky.social•52 days ago

May it land in a place of happiness and peace ❤️💛💚

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whitneybauck.bsky.social•52 days ago

yes, such a good read !

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thatamerican.bsky.social•53 days ago

Stupid people are annoying. Particularly the ones who claim to KNow something but all they actually know is their own stupidity. They think repeating it often and loudly makes it correct.

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koparankop.bsky.social•51 days ago

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wfyHKg0mjGc

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beeaditude.bsky.social•52 days ago

Added to the list. Thank you 😊

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kaneclements11.bsky.social•52 days ago

That looks good. Ta for the recommendation. 👍🙂

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enemywith1n.bsky.social•52 days ago

You see Jen, the problem isn't your relationship with social media, it's the idiots who voted for Trump who have issues with social media

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dan-weber.bsky.social•52 days ago

This next!

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thank you!

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indigo-flow.bsky.social•52 days ago

Just added to my Hoopla favorites. Thanks for recommending.

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freeread107.bsky.social•52 days ago

On my to be read stack

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bakaung.bsky.social•53 days ago

people of Myanmar are standing up against dictator for eight decades. I wonder if this book could help.

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alinahart.bsky.social•52 days ago

I need the book

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gsanta5.bsky.social•52 days ago

Good one, will add to my list.

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monkefyre.bsky.social•53 days ago

Great book!

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iawoodchuck.bsky.social•52 days ago

Have that one and recommend this one

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thank you!

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riverparkmatt.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thank you, I’ll add it next to my reading list😁

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susie1959.bsky.social•52 days ago

Me too!

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kathyhibbert.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thanks for this recommendation. I will be reading it Friday. I get your thinking about social media. As a researcher, it has been a very interesting space to study - and bad actors have certainly exploited it.

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inigomontoyota.bsky.social•52 days ago

I will add them to the list

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melindameyer.bsky.social•52 days ago

Every Democrat in Washington need to read that

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solson29.bsky.social•52 days ago

😵‍💫

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kaiseracedia.bsky.social•52 days ago

What are your main takeaways after reading it?

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

I’m in progress

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rubensdesk.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thanks for the recommendation. Will add to list of books to read in 2025.

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meirbenzeev.bsky.social•52 days ago

This is the same person who said Jews just want money, so don't buy a book just because it was written by a Nobel prize winner.

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jhetttolentino.bsky.social•52 days ago

🙌🏼❤️🇵🇭

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mlindholm325.bsky.social•52 days ago

Having to deal with the dictator's fan club, who pull crap like this, is the worst part.

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sanerminds.bsky.social•52 days ago

🤮

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v3ndettaval.bsky.social•52 days ago

Sickening ‼️🤮

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watcheroftheskyz.bsky.social•52 days ago

Mention this a day or so ago re his autographed Bible. Like in Raiders of The Lost Ark I expect some moment unseen by the owners of these books an energy flows forth from the very core of the book itself and sears the name Tяump and his picture off of the cover.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ba_apMZ2lS8

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mlindholm325.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thanks for the recommendation!

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deedledu.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thanks. Just downloaded the ebook from the library.

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davidaugust.bsky.social•53 days ago

Intrigued what your conclusions or new thinking on social media will be.

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v3ndettaval.bsky.social•52 days ago

Peter Pomerantsev talked about this author a great deal in This is Not Propaganda.

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cynsha.bsky.social•52 days ago

If we are motivated enough, we can affect change.
Today, we need to use every option available in the Constitution to stop the felon insurrectionist traitor. Please stand and make your voice heard. We are bigger than Trump. We must show it. Sign and share. Thank you. 💙

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physiverse.bsky.social•52 days ago

Social media is crack

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michelle1034.bsky.social•52 days ago

Absolutely!

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elizabethbaird.bsky.social•52 days ago

I’m doing a “rethink” to. There’s something to be said for reading books.

Leonard Cohen (RIP) wrote and sang a beautiful song about how to deal with wannabe dictators.

https://youtu.be/bVWWwGexKNQ?si=MGTvbFfrolA7tk7_

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spacemonkeygleek.bsky.social•52 days ago

For anyone wondering, "hineni" is Hebrew for "here I am".

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elizabethbaird.bsky.social•52 days ago

A white man dancing…

https://youtu.be/Zph7YXfjMhg?si=TKckNjj2VryxqVwJ

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elizabethbaird.bsky.social•52 days ago

YES! Cohen was a Jew and a modern-day prophet. Every song on his album “The Future” is prophetic.

My favourite prophesy from “Closing Time” is about The Holy Spirit crying “Where’s the beef?”

My favourite prophesy from the song “The Future” is “And a white man dancing”.

https://youtu.be/g9BlBsCtFzw?si=FpiHzQmNSn5csRed

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elizabethbaird.bsky.social•52 days ago

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elizabethbaird.bsky.social•52 days ago

I have written at length about “the beef”. 🥩 I was writing about “the beef” before I recognised the lyric from “CLOSING TIME”. I nearly ROTFLMAO! 😜

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elizabethbaird.bsky.social•52 days ago

https://open.substack.com/pub/christisagirl/p/the-holy-spirit-is-crying-wheres?r=26g5rt&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true

ALL ABOUT “THE BEEF 🥩 “.

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elizabethbaird.bsky.social•52 days ago

Yes! And there is this beautiful interview with Cohen where he explains the lyric.

https://youtu.be/g9BlBsCtFzw?si=FpiHzQmNSn5csRed

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spacemonkeygleek.bsky.social•52 days ago

While not explicitly about dictators, Cohen's lyrics capture disillusionment and darkness in ways that resonate powerfully with confronting authoritarianism. As usual, his nuanced writing creates space for both personal and collective meanings.

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elizabethbaird.bsky.social•52 days ago

https://youtu.be/g9BlBsCtFzw?si=qjtYcT49yokIbOFV

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elizabethbaird.bsky.social•52 days ago

“Killing the flame” is absolutely the best way to deal with controlling M-Fers, whether it be at the micro or macro level. It’s how I hold onto my Personal Power.

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theotherkatie.bsky.social•52 days ago

Been listening to lots of Cohen since 2016. Nailed it in Anthem, "While the killers in high places. Say their prayers out loud..."

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grizzleymichael.bsky.social•53 days ago

You cut his dick off

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emiliaxenia.bsky.social•52 days ago

On my list 🫶🏼

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robertmford.bsky.social•52 days ago

It's now on my reading list. Thanks for the recommendation. 😊

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jozefimrich.bsky.social•52 days ago

“Democracy is fragile. You have to fight for every bit, every law, every safeguard, every institution, every story. You must know how dangerous it is to suffer even the tiniest cut. This is why I say to us all: we must hold the line.”
~ Maria Ressa

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theycallmebruce.bsky.social•52 days ago

She was my graduation speaker for grad school back in May. Really impressive speech.

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greymatter2024.bsky.social•52 days ago

Will be time to start reading books like these…

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jagar451.bsky.social•52 days ago

Hard to believe that this should be required reading in our own country. Unreal. Welcome to 2025

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aliveandkickndd.bsky.social•52 days ago

Was a good read

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aundreyaorr.bsky.social•52 days ago

That looks like a good book I need to check that out!! Thanks for sharing, Im an independent journalist , growing my platform I just did some videos on this please check them out subscribe to my channel help grow the resistance and stand for equality & civil rights … thanks https://youtu.be/pdUmNoalJk8?si=ouiTXHR8OugSwyZ4

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philm-art.bsky.social•52 days ago

I deleted most of mine yesterday. 2025 needs to be more productive for me.

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laurennjoeline.bsky.social•52 days ago

I'm going to have to pick this up. The coincidence of weaponizing disinformation on social media and the defunding of public education is glaring.

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anonmrbear.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thanks for the recommend

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underthebigtop.bsky.social•52 days ago

A book all Americans should read (if they can read or if the book is not banned in their State)

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carriequite.bsky.social•47 days ago

MSM created the orange moron, giving up MSM will be a small move that I'm hoping everyone joins. 💙

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lorivball.bsky.social•52 days ago

Outstanding book! I second your recommendation

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binrudi.bsky.social•52 days ago

Okay, thank you i´ll read the german translation

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chickenlady.bsky.social•52 days ago

If I may, I would also recommend a small tome I encountered a while ago, because my country also lived thru autocracy that threatened journalists.
I found it to be useful, especially for organised and creative civil disobedience in the very analogue way :)

https://bsky.app/profile/chickenlady.bsky.social/post/3lacb5tglye2r

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chickenlady.bsky.social•4 days ago

As it turns out, it might become a very useful booklet :

https://bsky.app/profile/newsbreakinglive.bsky.social/post/3likaaenj6b22

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thank you!

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chickenlady.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thank you for your recommendation:
#InformationWarfare
#Disinformation
is destroying democracies globally.

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chickenlady.bsky.social•52 days ago

@meiselasb.bsky.social
@mspopok.bsky.social
@mjtoma.bsky.social
@theanthonydavis.bsky.social
@larsklingbeil.bsky.social

📖 🤓

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denisegordon19.bsky.social•52 days ago

Nice

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wordstock.bsky.social•48 days ago

Thanks, Jen.
You were first of my 📌

Picked up the ebook.

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2legit2quit4eva.bsky.social•52 days ago

Gonna read that after

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jasegould.bsky.social•53 days ago

How to Lose a Country by Ece Temelkuran is also a highly recommended read.

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sftravelwithkids.bsky.social•52 days ago

Amazon link https://amzn.to/41WoTmY

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wordstock.bsky.social•48 days ago

Thanks, Troy.
I bought it.

Didn't see anything
you were receiving
receiving your cut.

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mcsweeney.bsky.social•52 days ago

It's time to get off Zuckerberg's sosh too. What we learned about his involvement with Cambridge Analytica should have been the end. If not for some friends made across the pond I would have been gone long ago.

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3ogham.bsky.social•52 days ago

The news that they're bringing in a bot army to Facebook is the definite sign fb is not just dead, it's actually dangerous. With fake ai users they can influence every narrative whatever way they want. Not good.

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azgirl57.bsky.social•52 days ago

💙💙💙 love her.

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apothcarysees.bsky.social•52 days ago

Maria Ressa won a Nobel Prize, her Rappler online news site exposed Duterte’s abuse of power, use of violence and increasing authoritarianism in his anti-drug campaign.
She also documented how social media are being used to spread fake news & manipulate discourse.

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lcwelsh.bsky.social•52 days ago

Deleted Facebook in 2020. Was on Twitter but deleted before it became X. A bit of time on Spoutible and now I’m here. No more.

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ladyjaded.bsky.social•52 days ago

Personally I'm really trying to limit my social media. I mostly use BlueSky now. Absolutely no X, very little FB. I really don't want to be a part of the problem by perpetuating the anger, division & misinformation. "It ain't easy being cheezy"~ Chester Cheetah😁

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lemonstarr7.bsky.social•52 days ago

Literallyyy, never used FB really, I dont like IG at all and really use it to shop, I need to lay off Tiktok for sure tho lol

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ladyjaded.bsky.social•52 days ago

I've never Insta'd or TikTok'd or SnapChatted either. I have a Discord solely for a game I play which I only use if I'm having login issues. I have been much less angry in my daily life since limiting my social media. I just decided I couldn't be so angry, all the time, anymore. 🙃 💜

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lemonstarr7.bsky.social•52 days ago

Literalllyyyy!!! I forgot discord is considered social media lol, I use that sm. Much less angry

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g-moneygma.bsky.social•50 days ago

Yes. It is amazing how much better I feel if I am smart about how I consume news and social media. I also have more time for more constructive actions

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bella418.bsky.social•52 days ago

I gave that book as Christmas present. She is amazing.

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jimswanson.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thank you, Jen.

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marthaassefa.bsky.social•52 days ago

Where did you find this book? We have been looking for it in bookstores. I am looking forward to reading it!

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wokeisme.bsky.social•52 days ago

I read this heartbreaking novel after Christmas and it validated why I am a big fan of Maria Ressa and women in general.

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

Thank you!

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sessbarne.bsky.social•52 days ago

Yes, it's a fascinating read.
I didn't know much about the Phillipines' goverments so it filled in a lot of gaps for me.
Lots of similarities with Duerte & Trump.

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iamjenmcg.bsky.social•52 days ago

There’s another called Some People Need Killing which is also very informative

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shinnoriyoru.bsky.social•52 days ago

@xcelestialbabe.bsky.social This is the person you’re mentioning?

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xcelestialbabe.bsky.social•52 days ago

Exactly!

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diogo-duarte.bsky.social•53 days ago

Well, the source of power of a dictator is enforcement of authority, in other words, having the military agree with them. If you undermine the trust of the military, the dictatorship is then on a countdown.

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