I think…
The widening expanse of social media and the pockets of false reality it creates are only deepening the divide between people. This is not only on a political but a personal level. We have increasingly become dependent as a people on parasocial relationships. These are already codified in Japanese culture as oshi-katsu, and have very much impacted the ability of that culture to create interpersonal connections. This, in a place much geographically smaller than ours where it is far more difficult to physically separate. Here, we can get away from each other and stay away and even stay in our little filter bubbles longer. This is not a good thing. This increasingly leads to diverse realities.
I think…
Politics offers us a very clear model of this activity and these behaviors. Take for example the ideas of the right that the “left” is more politically violent. This is fueled by the bubble. Fox News recently posted a timeline of every “assassination attempt” on Trump since 2016. Ten attempts listed here and most of these stories have been amplified over the years by Fox and other even more right-leaning outlets. KCCI posted a different timeline showing only attempts where suspects got close to the president(s). Most of what Fox and other right-leaning outlets listed was not included. This is not to suggest attempts do not happen. In fact, there were at least 11 attempts on Obama’s life. These were not politicized in the least, which is why most people assume there were not any. Furthermore, nobody got close to that brother, which is a testament to the people he kept around him. Trump, on the other hand, has been exposed way too often. It is almost as if they know this sort of coverage fuels political action and seek to take advantage…
I think…
I need to stick my head in a hole and start writing out my stories. I don’t have forever. I do have time now. It needs to happen sooner than later, because I want to be able to enjoy the time of seeing my work on shelves.
I think…
I am done, save for…
Some Thoughts:
- Absolutely Bonkers Headline of the Day: “Supreme Court ruling weakens a key tool of the Voting Rights Act” The decision voids majority Black congressional district in Louisiana, boosting Republican chances… This is indeed how democracy dies. Of course, we were never a true democracy. The rules ensured that.