Not to be dramatic, but there really are days when I feel scared of the future.
Like, to pick an example at random, today.
What we are witnessing is an assault on the very concept of truth.
The armed conflicts we see unfolding all over the world will be accompanied by turmoil &doubt in our heads.
Like, to pick an example at random, today.
What we are witnessing is an assault on the very concept of truth.
The armed conflicts we see unfolding all over the world will be accompanied by turmoil &doubt in our heads.
Comments
Collapse coming our way soon…
I also fear for the future more than ever and have mostly
Withdrawn from public life.
no Knowledge of the face of the Earth; no account of Time; no Arts; no Letters; no Society; and which is worst of all, continual Fear, and danger of violent death; And the life of man solitary, poor, nasty, brutish, and short.
“What you say is lies & I will defend to the death my right to stop you saying it.”
I was thinking that if 20th century spin, or political acumen, was finding a narrative to fit the facts; the 21st century equivalent is 'finding' the facts to fit the narrative.
And, with enough resources, it is *very easy*. And scary.
of democratic politicians is incredibly similar to the 1930's. We know how it plays out. We have read the script, but seem utterly powerless to do anything about it.
Adapt their views when faced with new information, learn from mistakes, don’t mistake their personal experience for reality. This ability to think and empathize are now under attack by an onslaught of noise.
Because a major outlet that became too effective for giving voice to the people was captured by an oligarch.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/nov/17/how-to-survive-the-broligarchy-20-lessons-for-the-post-truth-world-donald-trump
Western tech playing into the hands of anti-Western forces. And somehow that is a good thing, because "truth"? Oh please.
I keep going back to fabricating optimism, it's the only reasonable way forward.
We need to keep talking and sharing reason, humanity, and progress and stamp out the cynicism.
Old problem - new form. Each one of us needs to learn, dealing with the crazy amount of instant info.
And I wonder, how much of it can be considered knowledge or even wisdom.
People look after themselves in their own way, but I should be terrified to see a headline and leave the rest to my inexpert imagination
https://bsky.app/profile/christophersmith.bsky.social/post/3lf2qzdycrs2u
AI is now being sold as a shortcut to understanding any skill or area of expertise.
The desire for brevity & shortcuts makes it easier to pass off misinformation as truth
We will find a new equilibrum.
Our societies and culture aren't adapting well to the internet and how easy it is to lie, but we will adapt and start building trustworthy institutions again. Unfortunately it may take a while.
The unfolding of the second Trump administration has crystalized for me that the first was a test case of sorts.
They learned how the resistance would counter all the lies.
This second go round, with new mechanisms in place, their "alternative facts" will take flight more easily.
But ...
This too shall pass.
Humanity is extremely resilient and most political structures older than a few decades are also resilient.
A thing to remember: the Trump/MAGA demographic is dying out: killed by other birthrates.
BREATHE!
The baddies are definitely in charge
We could wait for some strong political leadership, but.... err... the march might be quicker.
https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/womens-march-london-donald-trump-protest-trafalgar-square-inauguration-washington-dc-a7539636.html