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Joined 1 year ago
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Cake day: November 1st, 2023

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  • I’m honestly worried about a mask ban EO, without any exceptions for medical or other purposes, partially because I hate the destructive use of AI and facial recognition tech, partially because I hate ableism, partially because I love public health, among other reasons. I think protecting your identity is not just a right but a moral imperative when taking certain positive and productive actions, so you have the chance to continue the work. In addition I think protecting oneself and others from airborne diseases is a must if one intends to abide by a policy of harm reduction, pollution is another concern as well.


  • YarHarSuperstar@lemmy.worldtoScience Memes@mander.xyzfuck this
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    12 hours ago

    Uh yes it was definitely hand-waved away by some “if you look carefully”. It was only the “least-worse option” because so many were successfully manipulated by the system into being placated with crumbs so they wouldn’t revolt at the thousands of other reasons we’ve had for years to fight back against this shit, pushing the Overton window to the right in increments and leading folks to not use or even possess or be taught in the first place the critical thinking skills required to inform oneself and take steps to make positive change, in this system designed to intentionally misinform and mislead us and pit us against each other so we vote for the same rich white men responsible for perpetuating this system and the harm it brings to all of us, especially marginalized communities.

    I would recommend to you (and anyone who is interested in informing themselves on what is being done to us) to read “The Shock Doctrine” by Naomi Klein. It details this process of incremental change, and some of the strategies and parties previously and currently involved in taking control of our government (or at this point more like what’s left of it).

    (For clarity: I’m not saying both parties are the same, although their goals, tactics, and policies seem less different to me as time passes; I’m not making any general statement passing blame to any group of voters or non-voters in this comment, because I believe the bulk of the responsibility lies on the system and those who hold sway over large parts of it in the form of currency or legislation, for example; I’m not denying or invalidating that you may feel this way and/or believe it is true, I’m taking issue with your statement that “it was never handwaved”, because I most certainly saw that happen and know people who to this day are clinging to that sentiment; I’m not saying harm reduction isn’t the move or good policy, it is but there has to simultaneously be work being done on reducing or removing the source of that harm)

    Edit: sorry for run-on sentences. working on it gradually and open to feedback




  • As is tradition, the young will bear the brunt of the damage being done, they have the weakest immune systems, they’re more vulnerable, they deserve and need to be protected and we’re failing them still. I know my childhood was not good and I am still working through it but at least I got to have a childhood. I feel very much sorrow for what the children are going through, especially the sensitive and/or marginalized children.



  • You know the saying, be the change and all that. If you think it’s a good idea you should go for it. I don’t know much about fundraising or web design but I would be willing to offer some kind of support, be it some time and energy or helpful resources/tools I am able to find for example. Maybe you can help in ways other than financially as well. We are the ones who need to do the things. The number of those willing to act and speak out against oppression and regression and the cults of ignorance and capitalism has been going down as a result of a concerted effort by very well funded groups and individuals. The sooner we act to pull folks out of the pipelines siloing them off into hateful ideologies (alt-right pipeline comes to mind for example) the sooner we can start the work, individually and interpersonally and otherwise, to end the cyclical perpetuation of harm forced upon us by the systems that we live under. Please feel free to reach out if you want support and resources for taking steps to make changes, and that offer is for anyone who is reading this and doesn’t know where to start and is acting in good faith.


  • Agreed. Networking with your community can in many cases solve this problem however. If you pick up one skill and your neighbors do too, you can do many types of things for each other and all needs have a chance at being met. I have been: looking for existing networks and working with them while also making changes in my personal life and talking to everyone I can about what can be done to prepare and considerations for such preparations, such as buying radios or building a mesh network for communication; stocking up on staples such as rice, beans, flour, water, etc. when possible; learning about how I am perpetuating harm and working with others (professionals such as a therapist as well as people I’m in community with) to end that perpetuation of harm step by step; focusing on finding solutions and getting everyone’s needs met instead of winning arguments; and more. It’s not going to be easy and I know what I do isn’t accessible to every single person, but the point is that we can build something better, that works better for more of us (ultimately all of us hopefully).









  • Personally I’ve been: connecting to local mutual aid networks and engaging loved ones in community efforts, offering what time, energy and resources I can to these causes; preparing myself and others for disaster by stocking up on staples and anything you need every day or is otherwise important such as water and important medicine; encouraging better decision making and critical thinking by providing tools, resources, and support that allows others to decide what is right for them I.e. give examples of steps they can take to help others and end the cyclical perpetuation of harm and brainstorm ways that they can get their needs met more effectively and ethically.

    This is not everything I do but it’s what feels most accessible to the largest number of people to me so it’s what I said. This is just my perspective but for what it’s worth I’m much, much happier the more I do to really live in my values, I feel my actions and beliefs are more consistent than before and I get so much positive feedback that is validating and encouraging. I am privileged in many ways and I recognize that, I have suffered and struggled but I still have a lot to be grateful for and I am trying to use that to maximize benefit for those without as much privilege who need it most while I still have access to some resources and the energy and connections to utilize them, while also doing internal and external work with professional support folks and in my personal life to stop perpetuating harm and instead making positive change in ways I have control over like how I communicate and what I give my time to.

    Eta: I know I’m not who you asked but I responded as if you were asking because you feel frustrated and scared like I do and want to know what others are doing to help the situation. I hope you weren’t just asking as a gotcha.

    Another example of something I am working on that might be accessible to folks here is a cloud folder full of evidence of negative policy trends and other happenings, resources for preparing, etc. That I then share with family and others.

    Edit again: I also acknowledge some or even all of this isnt possible or easy for everyone, and if you need more specific support please feel free to reach out via message, we can connect on a more secure platform if you prefer or the conversation warrants it. I do have knowledge on some topics related to disability and neurodivergence and some resources around that, as well as other topics, some that I don’t necessarily want to list in a comment. I am not any kind of expert but do try to meet people where they are at and seek solutions to real problems. This offer is for anyone reading this comment who seeks in good faith to help things get better, and that can happen one step at a time. Together we create something that is greater than the sum of its parts.

    Edit: one more thing. If someone would like to contribute any kind of writing or speaking on or support and/or labor towards the data privacy of a specific illness prevention focused mutual aid group based in a city in the US via the establishment of a self hosted communication server or other software guidance or just any advice or support in any way would be greatly appreciated by a lot of marginalized folks I know. There could be some form of a trade, possibly a skill share or help meeting some other need you have in the form of support, labor, resources, etc.



  • It sounds to me like you haven’t actually talked to many of these people, or at least actively listened to them and tried to understand their concerns. Think this through. At what point do things get better if we don’t start changing how we do things now? What do you prefer to do, and/or suggest as a solution, if those two things are not one and the same?

    Edit: also idk about you but I’ve already been in an era of suffering, I’ve been disabled and marginalized and mistreated, and so have many others. To me, treating people as complex beings with layers upon layers of motivations and ideas and beliefs and sensitivities and so on is an important part of respect and I see it as necessary if we are ever going to be able to change how things work and end the global perpetuation of harm.