This is exactly what I needed to hear, Elisa. And I'll be linking to this in our next Jonni and Maria Go There! Podcast this Friday because we talked about rebooting and recharging in the wake of the chaos and how to move forward from here. I had already given you a shout out in the episode, but will also include this wonderful perspective in the Show Notes. You really made me feel better about wanting to stay on social but making a statement with what usefulness I give it and how they make money off of me when our values are so opposed these days. I applaud the idea of not leaving these communities we've built to the wolves!
Glad it resonates. Like I said, there is no perfect solution, at least when I care about the things I care about, but like any other plan...subject to change!!!
Thanks for the thoughtful post. Like you said, there are no simple answers. I still tend to think of social media as the village well - one that at this point is owned by a metaphorical despot and one in essence must pay for the water. But this is where the village conversation and news is shared. This is where the traveling minstrels perform. This is where crazy, and/or learned might stand on a soapbox and share their views. I believe it would be terrible if all those who disagreed with the despot became quiet at the village well. The village well is where an influential part of the population gets their information. If we leave, many people will not ever hear dissenting views. If the only places we share our dissenting views are the dark houses on the side streets among those who agree with us, those wishy washy sheep in the middle… those pleasant idiots who don’t mean ill but don’t have the ambition to look beyond their daily tasks - those people will never hear another point of view other than the despots’ propaganda.
I’m not that big on social media to begin with… just struggle with taking the time. I’d rather paint or draw or write… so many more interesting things to do. I keep forgetting that my instagram account exists. But I post regularly to Facebook because I have family, old friends, coworkers, acquaintances there. Some of whom - though pleasant people, voted for the Orange Cheeto. I post much of my political content for them. And I intentionally mix in highly entertaining material so that they keep coming back. Whether they click on those articles or not, I want to keep popping up in their feed. I try to avoid Trump is a _______ posts and focus on this-just-happened posts. As much as I hate feeding the beast, I do not want those on the right to think we’ve gone quiet. I want intelligent dissenting discussion to remain a visible thing in the public discourse.
"I believe it would be terrible if all those who disagreed with the despot became quiet at the village well. The village well is where an influential part of the population gets their information. If we leave, many people will not ever hear dissenting views."
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on what's left of our social media platforms - your insights are always valuable to me. My issue with Amazon and Meta is the other people in my family. The Android users insist on using WA for group chats. I've asked my sister if maybe we could switch to Signal; she told me I was being too paranoid and she wasn't willing to go there. The UK branch - who do not have unlimited texting - use Messenger to stay in touch with us. My husband and daughter refuse to stop shopping Amazon. But no matter how much I try to avoid purchasing stuff from Amazon, I have to confess that I'm just as bad, because I haven't found a nearby grocer to replace what I like at Whole Foods. So I'll just sit back here and admire your example.
I know a lot of people in your position. And BTW, don't imagine I'm perfect. I occasionally go to Whole Foods because their vegan offerings are unmatched in the area. And I have used Amazon a handful of times over the years, mostly when it's something I need immediately (nobody beats them for speed, I just don't think we need that kind of speed like we think we do), and mostly when it's either a broken house thing or an elderly mom thing.
This is wonderful, because I too have felt challenged by what I see others do BUT then there was Feminista's input, and that one hit right with me. What do the other platforms care that I leave? They don't. Some say it's the ethical thing to do, but not stay connected doesn't work for me. So, substack? That one speaks to me. Let's hope I act on it. I loved this so much, you are a wise, wise woman, my friend.
Thanks for reading Alexandra, and for the kind words. My feelings may change over time...mapping this all out doesn't mean I still don't feel conflicted. But for now it's where I land.
This is exactly what I needed to hear, Elisa. And I'll be linking to this in our next Jonni and Maria Go There! Podcast this Friday because we talked about rebooting and recharging in the wake of the chaos and how to move forward from here. I had already given you a shout out in the episode, but will also include this wonderful perspective in the Show Notes. You really made me feel better about wanting to stay on social but making a statement with what usefulness I give it and how they make money off of me when our values are so opposed these days. I applaud the idea of not leaving these communities we've built to the wolves!
Glad it resonates. Like I said, there is no perfect solution, at least when I care about the things I care about, but like any other plan...subject to change!!!
Thanks for the thoughtful post. Like you said, there are no simple answers. I still tend to think of social media as the village well - one that at this point is owned by a metaphorical despot and one in essence must pay for the water. But this is where the village conversation and news is shared. This is where the traveling minstrels perform. This is where crazy, and/or learned might stand on a soapbox and share their views. I believe it would be terrible if all those who disagreed with the despot became quiet at the village well. The village well is where an influential part of the population gets their information. If we leave, many people will not ever hear dissenting views. If the only places we share our dissenting views are the dark houses on the side streets among those who agree with us, those wishy washy sheep in the middle… those pleasant idiots who don’t mean ill but don’t have the ambition to look beyond their daily tasks - those people will never hear another point of view other than the despots’ propaganda.
I’m not that big on social media to begin with… just struggle with taking the time. I’d rather paint or draw or write… so many more interesting things to do. I keep forgetting that my instagram account exists. But I post regularly to Facebook because I have family, old friends, coworkers, acquaintances there. Some of whom - though pleasant people, voted for the Orange Cheeto. I post much of my political content for them. And I intentionally mix in highly entertaining material so that they keep coming back. Whether they click on those articles or not, I want to keep popping up in their feed. I try to avoid Trump is a _______ posts and focus on this-just-happened posts. As much as I hate feeding the beast, I do not want those on the right to think we’ve gone quiet. I want intelligent dissenting discussion to remain a visible thing in the public discourse.
"I believe it would be terrible if all those who disagreed with the despot became quiet at the village well. The village well is where an influential part of the population gets their information. If we leave, many people will not ever hear dissenting views."
This is the crux of it, yes, well said.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on what's left of our social media platforms - your insights are always valuable to me. My issue with Amazon and Meta is the other people in my family. The Android users insist on using WA for group chats. I've asked my sister if maybe we could switch to Signal; she told me I was being too paranoid and she wasn't willing to go there. The UK branch - who do not have unlimited texting - use Messenger to stay in touch with us. My husband and daughter refuse to stop shopping Amazon. But no matter how much I try to avoid purchasing stuff from Amazon, I have to confess that I'm just as bad, because I haven't found a nearby grocer to replace what I like at Whole Foods. So I'll just sit back here and admire your example.
I know a lot of people in your position. And BTW, don't imagine I'm perfect. I occasionally go to Whole Foods because their vegan offerings are unmatched in the area. And I have used Amazon a handful of times over the years, mostly when it's something I need immediately (nobody beats them for speed, I just don't think we need that kind of speed like we think we do), and mostly when it's either a broken house thing or an elderly mom thing.
Great,. useful post, Elisa!!
This is wonderful, because I too have felt challenged by what I see others do BUT then there was Feminista's input, and that one hit right with me. What do the other platforms care that I leave? They don't. Some say it's the ethical thing to do, but not stay connected doesn't work for me. So, substack? That one speaks to me. Let's hope I act on it. I loved this so much, you are a wise, wise woman, my friend.
Thanks for reading Alexandra, and for the kind words. My feelings may change over time...mapping this all out doesn't mean I still don't feel conflicted. But for now it's where I land.