Thank you ECM for another great essay. Like you, and because of you, I chose to stop drinking. My habit was similar to yours and I asked myself almost the exact questions you asked yourself, to allow myself to keep drinking.
Like Twitter, Fox News and other right wing platforms, the product is NOT news, or inspiration or education. The product is outrage. Pure, red, flaming rage! Because rage, like booze, opioids, and meth are addicting. It forces people to keep responding to get that hit, the supply, to keep manufacturing outrage. I too now have sadly recognized this on Twitter and other platforms. Thank you for bringing this home and reminding us that outrage detracts from our resistance, resilience and organizing. That clear headedness (not being hung over from booze, drugs or outrage) clears the path for us to keep going and keep fighting.
Thanks for this. On your recommendation I joined Post.news as well and was added yesterday, I think before the oopsie that let in so many but maybe not. Either way, so far I love it. I even wrote up a post on Story Cauldron (one of my Substacks) about the different options and why it was important for me to leave Twitter. This was before I saw the disgusting sexual assault meme Musk posted on Twitter, which would be inappropriate for anyone to share but ESPECIALLY a social media CEO. Seriously after that, I can't imagine why anyone with any sense would remain on that platform. It's toxic and insane and I hope Musk regrets everything he's done for the rest of his life.
I'm reading this after attending my sister's funeral. The only sibling, out of 4, with whom I could carry on a sincere conversation. We were always able to talk about the touchy subjects in life. She never judged me, she simply listened and offered her perspective in a kind voice. I already miss her, but this essay give me hope that cutting the ties of social media and focusing on real people in real life is the only means by which we survive as a society and as a united States of America. Thanks, as always, Elizabeth, for putting into words the thoughts I fumble with.
Another fantastic essay! Much of what you said could apply to news sources. Since the disaster of trump, I've experience a multitude of profound emotions: anger, incredulity, sadness, depression, guilt frustration, and have been addicted to news worrying that I might miss something important that I must personally address with activism. I feel guilty if I'm not constantly watching the news wondering if I missed something horrific that must be addressed and for which I must tell my followers about to get them motivated to act or protest. My email has grown exponentially and I feel compelled to answer every inquiry. I keep promising myself to scale back on the news and reclaim my "happy place" that I had prior to trump, but now knowing there will be more trumpers to follow. I'm committed to finding a healthy balance in the New Year.
Thank you ECM for another great essay. Like you, and because of you, I chose to stop drinking. My habit was similar to yours and I asked myself almost the exact questions you asked yourself, to allow myself to keep drinking.
Like Twitter, Fox News and other right wing platforms, the product is NOT news, or inspiration or education. The product is outrage. Pure, red, flaming rage! Because rage, like booze, opioids, and meth are addicting. It forces people to keep responding to get that hit, the supply, to keep manufacturing outrage. I too now have sadly recognized this on Twitter and other platforms. Thank you for bringing this home and reminding us that outrage detracts from our resistance, resilience and organizing. That clear headedness (not being hung over from booze, drugs or outrage) clears the path for us to keep going and keep fighting.
Thanks for this. On your recommendation I joined Post.news as well and was added yesterday, I think before the oopsie that let in so many but maybe not. Either way, so far I love it. I even wrote up a post on Story Cauldron (one of my Substacks) about the different options and why it was important for me to leave Twitter. This was before I saw the disgusting sexual assault meme Musk posted on Twitter, which would be inappropriate for anyone to share but ESPECIALLY a social media CEO. Seriously after that, I can't imagine why anyone with any sense would remain on that platform. It's toxic and insane and I hope Musk regrets everything he's done for the rest of his life.
I'm reading this after attending my sister's funeral. The only sibling, out of 4, with whom I could carry on a sincere conversation. We were always able to talk about the touchy subjects in life. She never judged me, she simply listened and offered her perspective in a kind voice. I already miss her, but this essay give me hope that cutting the ties of social media and focusing on real people in real life is the only means by which we survive as a society and as a united States of America. Thanks, as always, Elizabeth, for putting into words the thoughts I fumble with.
Another fantastic essay! Much of what you said could apply to news sources. Since the disaster of trump, I've experience a multitude of profound emotions: anger, incredulity, sadness, depression, guilt frustration, and have been addicted to news worrying that I might miss something important that I must personally address with activism. I feel guilty if I'm not constantly watching the news wondering if I missed something horrific that must be addressed and for which I must tell my followers about to get them motivated to act or protest. My email has grown exponentially and I feel compelled to answer every inquiry. I keep promising myself to scale back on the news and reclaim my "happy place" that I had prior to trump, but now knowing there will be more trumpers to follow. I'm committed to finding a healthy balance in the New Year.