The Internet is so good for stuff like mutual aid and keep people informed amid crisis. Like, when I feel despair--and these days I often do--it's a small encouragement to be reminded that when we are proximal to suffering, we are capable of extraordinary generosity. - ThreadSky

johngreensbluesky.bsky.social • 43 days ago

The Internet is so good for stuff like mutual aid and keep people informed amid crisis. Like, when I feel despair--and these days I often do--it's a small encouragement to be reminded that when we are proximal to suffering, we are capable of extraordinary generosity.

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johngreensbluesky.bsky.social•43 days ago

(It is also good at scams and keeping people misinformed amid crisis, of course. WE CONTAIN MULTITUDES.)

kiranayt.bsky.social•43 days ago

One form of generosity is to acknowledge stories, hopes and grievances of each other. I hear you John. I know you hear me too. Despite all the noise of hate and cynicism, people still hear each other. I heard from a vlogger once that hope is a thing with feathers. 😉

bluedotfrombfe.bsky.social•42 days ago

You and I are close in age. My birthday falls between yours and Hank’s. We grew up on the internet realizing the positive potential of access to information while not always anticipating the exploitation of society’s trust. Such naivety is hard for those wanting to do good in the world.

beerpocalypse.bsky.social•36 days ago

Some including myself wishing to do good can be lured into group following childhood friends and finding out almost too late that the group isn't very kind, then having to decode all the group programming after exit.

beerpocalypse.bsky.social•36 days ago

It's fantastic for helping people reach greater heights with a lower barrier of entry than collegiate institutions, not to discredit the work that comes out of community colleges and universities which is certainly more focused.

beerpocalypse.bsky.social•36 days ago

I specifically thank you and all those who worked on CrashCourse/Study Hall and the other programs.

northsleuth.bsky.social•43 days ago

Sort of like teevee. Folks chose the show Ancient Aliens being the source of truth over a NOVA Special on ancient civilizations.

porcoesphino.bsky.social•43 days ago

Yes & no. I grew up in Australia in a rural area. We had two channels. One government sponsored that was accurate. And another that was commercial but didn't have the airtime or credibility to lose to deviate from the truth too much. Now I live in the US two decades later and your statement applies

northsleuth.bsky.social•43 days ago

I prefer shows that go to the source and talk to the scientists.
NOVA in the US
Quirks & Quarks in Canada
Horizon in the UK
etc.

Never found a single channel that had it all.

porcoesphino.bsky.social•43 days ago

Agreed but its not my point. Centralised, trusted, sources historically lowered the issues from people choosing poor information sources. The friction of consuming poor quality was higher. "Trusted" is carrying a lot in that sentence and its a lot of a spectrum. It's also a bit irrelevant these days

bratinamalefield.bsky.social•42 days ago

I had this exact feeling when I saw a video of a guy asking for help to cover the cost of a surgery for a rare eye disorder for his kid, opened the gofundme to see it'd been more than funded in 12h. For all the terrible in the world, kindness still lives in everyday moments

sevenbrg.bsky.social•43 days ago

This is part of what I miss about the downfall of Twitter.

I joined Twitter to follow real time news about a crisis in my neighbourhood. It was the fastest way to get real time news and video, including local govt accounts and politicians.

I'm glad to see Bluesky serving this need in LA.

ezracold.bsky.social•42 days ago

True. I'm trying to spread my GoFundMe and social media is great for that. So far threads has been the only platform that resulted in any spread but I have high hopes for BlueSky. (I'd post but I don't want to be rude on your ... What are these called? Blues? Skys? BS's seems wrong)

computermuse.bsky.social•43 days ago

But have you noticed how hard it has become to get real news summaries anymore? Last year when one of the Hurricanes hit FL, I went looking for a written report in the morning of where it hit and some assessment of damages. There was nothing.

emmypadge.bsky.social•42 days ago

Living in LA and seeing my friends and neighbors and local strangers being here for each other has been such a balm

silkythick.bsky.social•43 days ago

Mr Rogers said it better, but it's a beautiful sentiment.

kellyramsdell.bsky.social•43 days ago

I always find myself wishing there were more i could do. But yes.
PS: got nosebleed seats, but I’m coming to see you in Philly!

youtubersdigest.bsky.social•43 days ago

Humans are capable of such bad things but I’m reminded on a daily basis by people like you and your brother that humans are also capable of such great things…

sr-786.bsky.social•43 days ago

Thank you for sharing! 🙏

stormsnhoney.bsky.social•43 days ago

Thank you for being an encouraging voice rn. It really helps.

alphapythia.bsky.social•43 days ago

We’re not just capable, we are compelled and inexorably driven. Nothing provided dopamine like connecting with and helping others. We just need to teach more people that and they too will get addicted.

th1rtyf0ur.bsky.social•42 days ago

it’s also an absolute indictment of our society that people have to beg strangers on the internet for help because their government & insurance companies WHOSE JOB IT IS TO DO SO, won’t (or won’t do enough)

elysemarshall.bsky.social•42 days ago

This 💌

lilith-roa.bsky.social•43 days ago

Not sure if I entirely agree about the mutual aid, you have to be popular or good looking to get help.

But, yes the internet is good for seeing that humanity still exists.
This is what I listen to when I need a good laugh. Warning: could end up laugh-crying
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=gbsZohEMn38&pp=ygUMd29ua3kgZG9ua2V5

jolynegcoyote.bsky.social•39 days ago

I am learning that social media in itself is not a means to an end for connection but a tool towards social purposes

And like every tool a hammer can't drive a screw well, so for myself I'm looking at the other things in my tool chest to make those connections offline again

Thank you for the help

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