Funny coincidence. Cancelled my "X" account this week for many of the same reasons.
The rot in local municipal politics is a result of ethical failures originating in our some of our post-secondary institutions, specifically in the social sciences and humanities. The worst idea of all being: "because I, and people who think the same as me, perceive broad injustices, it's ok, even necessary, for us to redress those by advantaging the powerless and vilifying the powerful. We'll do this by putting our 'thumb on the scale' wherever we can."
Folks carrying this torch can't see the obvious; this strategy is indistinguishable from any totalitarian government, and anathema to democracy (healthy discourse, problem-solving, successful change, learning and maturing... and so on.)
A closely related, horrible idea, ominously captured by The Economist' culture reporter, is this same new ideology wants us "to all be happy, all the time", by sanitizing literature.
I'm sure this current insanity will be relegated to the file of punchlines including McCarthyism, Satanic Panic, and the like.
I have yet to figure out how to inhabit this (SS) space. But I hope it can provide some room for thoughtful explorations. I cannot help but feel/think that an important part of evolving our collective culture (in Victoria and well beyond) rests with speaking up. However, I've seen what you describe, and through an alter ego have dived deeper into topical issues to "see what's up" and holy cow (to be esoteric about it). What astounding leaps of faith and judgement: ignorance in the nicest possible meaning tempered with malevolence born of monetization. Speaking up in ways that will not threaten support for initiatives that I champion is a time consuming challenge.
My various activities mean that i am unable to completely divest myself of social media, but to greater and lesser degrees, the many forms (twitterX, FB, Insta, other forums) dissipate energy necessary for writing—and art—both of which I am determined to grow in this penultimate stage of life. Good luck to you and the Municipal Fly. Thanks for your commitment to our city.
All the best on the journey — I hope we may occasionally, if peripherally, inspired each other.
Yes, Twitter (X ) is a cesspool.
Thanks for this Eric, well said.
Funny coincidence. Cancelled my "X" account this week for many of the same reasons.
The rot in local municipal politics is a result of ethical failures originating in our some of our post-secondary institutions, specifically in the social sciences and humanities. The worst idea of all being: "because I, and people who think the same as me, perceive broad injustices, it's ok, even necessary, for us to redress those by advantaging the powerless and vilifying the powerful. We'll do this by putting our 'thumb on the scale' wherever we can."
Folks carrying this torch can't see the obvious; this strategy is indistinguishable from any totalitarian government, and anathema to democracy (healthy discourse, problem-solving, successful change, learning and maturing... and so on.)
A closely related, horrible idea, ominously captured by The Economist' culture reporter, is this same new ideology wants us "to all be happy, all the time", by sanitizing literature.
I'm sure this current insanity will be relegated to the file of punchlines including McCarthyism, Satanic Panic, and the like.
Well. Resonant.
I have yet to figure out how to inhabit this (SS) space. But I hope it can provide some room for thoughtful explorations. I cannot help but feel/think that an important part of evolving our collective culture (in Victoria and well beyond) rests with speaking up. However, I've seen what you describe, and through an alter ego have dived deeper into topical issues to "see what's up" and holy cow (to be esoteric about it). What astounding leaps of faith and judgement: ignorance in the nicest possible meaning tempered with malevolence born of monetization. Speaking up in ways that will not threaten support for initiatives that I champion is a time consuming challenge.
My various activities mean that i am unable to completely divest myself of social media, but to greater and lesser degrees, the many forms (twitterX, FB, Insta, other forums) dissipate energy necessary for writing—and art—both of which I am determined to grow in this penultimate stage of life. Good luck to you and the Municipal Fly. Thanks for your commitment to our city.
All the best on the journey — I hope we may occasionally, if peripherally, inspired each other.
keep writting, Eric!