Lukewarm take: people with large followings should take care that they aren't just spreading cynicism and misery when they're urging an action. "Here's a plan that's been floated. Call ### to let them know what you think" is miles away from clickbaiting "you're about to be stabbed in the back!!!" - ThreadSky

wymancr.bsky.social • 6 days ago

Lukewarm take: people with large followings should take care that they aren't just spreading cynicism and misery when they're urging an action.
"Here's a plan that's been floated. Call ### to let them know what you think" is miles away from clickbaiting "you're about to be stabbed in the back!!!"

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davidofseattle.bsky.social•5 days ago

If they weren't spreading cynicism and misery, they would lose their identity!

lizamazel.bsky.social•5 days ago

now, AOC did tweet something the day before yesterday saying "Senate is caving, call them now." One, I tend to take her more seriously and two, emphasis was on "call them now."

What I've been seeing in comments is THEY ALWAYS LET US DOWN THOSE BASTARDS and that's...not helpful in advance.

wymancr.bsky.social•6 days ago

One is honest. The other is the same kind of manipulation we all agree is bad when campaigns use it for fundraising.

wymancr.bsky.social•6 days ago

Going chicken little is effective at whipping up emotions but we just went through a cycle where it became evident there was potential for more harm than good in a iterative, multi faction game. Please take that lesson to heart.

daphnelawless.com•6 days ago

The real issue is that people *want* to be manipulated. Or rather, when it's pushing buttons they want pushed, they don't think of it as manipulation. What people *want* to hear, by revealed preferences right now, is that it's all over because the feckless Vichy Dems are surrendering again.

ascablander.bsky.social•5 days ago

https://bsky.app/profile/madisonkittay.bsky.social/post/3lkbckeh4xk25

faoat.bsky.social•6 days ago

These two things shouldn't be miles away, they are parts of the same message! If you believe the second is a real risk, then saying so, AND laying out your reasons, needs to directly precede the call to action. If you want people to pay attention, and to rally, you need to tell them what's at stake.

lizamazel.bsky.social•5 days ago

You can still very much say what's at stake without pre-emptively demonizing the people you're wanting to put pressure on.

You can say "hey, the stakes are sky high, this is what happens if we don't succeed" and not "WE'RE SO FUCKED OMG OMG OMG"

lizamazel.bsky.social•5 days ago

There's a fine line between "HEY, we're counting on you, do your job!" and "FUCK YOU, KEEP YOUR DAMN LAWNMOWER" (as the irate would-be borrower said to their bewildered neighbor who they hadn't actually asked)

faoat.bsky.social•6 days ago

If someone cries wolf, the questions shouldn't be, does that make us feel bad, or even, do lots of people lie. We should ask, does this particular person have a history of reliably detecting wolves? And if so, what is the most effective way to call attention to this danger and to repel it?

lizamazel.bsky.social•5 days ago

Right, and if this particular person historically has a good history but of late, especially w/r/t predictions on this current issue, has been way off the mark, it is reasonable to introduce a higher level of skepticism at that point.

& again, there's a fine line between alarm & pre-emptive despair

faoat.bsky.social•6 days ago

Your lukewarm take is how I felt a couple of days ago. So I took a break, to be sure it wasn't just exhaustion. Didn't look at anything political, especially who you're clearly subtweeting. What I didn't do is shoot at someone already under constant fire, who's proven himself a reliable messenger.

lizamazel.bsky.social•5 days ago

I don't necessarily love the moving to "this person is being disingenuous on purpose" narrative either, if that's what's happening.

I think perhaps we're getting a real time lesson in how access journalism turns sour.

Also v possible there are a lot of real but conflicting messages rn.

wymancr.bsky.social•5 days ago

Tbf I don't think anyone doing the reporting is being disingenuous or lying about what they're being told. There's just a chance of context getting lost in the game of telephone, and this medium tends to push toward hyperbole anyway. And it is alarming.

lizamazel.bsky.social•5 days ago

yeh. :/

Maybe it'd be good for more reporters, including the grassroots, indie ones, to dial back on the commentary and just report the facts as they know them, as best possible.

JM used to be better about "I don't know," I feel like.

No one's immune to freaking out.

wymancr.bsky.social•5 days ago

Hence the ask that people with large followings be careful with their words. "Bad plans are being floated, call your reps now!" is like you say better than yelling about feckless Dems selling out again.

feliciarondo.com•6 days ago

The thing I keep coming back to is that, at a time where trust is at a dangerously-low level, some people seem dead set on lowering it even further while increasing alarm

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