I constantly get DMs and comments with a sentiment akin to - but the Dems won't do anything. And these are real people, not bots, some of whom have been following me for quite a long time (I check when you message me, by the way). I think there’s an inclination in some circles to cast aside the sentiments of the TikTok crowds due to the overwhelming nihilism of the content on that platform, one that reflects both the lived reality of many people as well as the algorithmic preference for outrage.
“Everyone doesn’t need to do everything, but we need to ask everyone to do something.”
Yes, yes, yes!! I’ve read so many newsletters, comments, posts, Notes that are simply a complaint about the state of things. Anger toward the right, frustration towards the left, “lesser of two evils” type stuff. And if I read one more comment coded in therapy speak about “signing off to take care of my mental health” I am going to scream. Who do these people think is doing the work if they aren’t?? Join local grass roots or national organizations, give money or time, use a platform if you have it. We should be scared and angry and we should use it.
I've been reflecting a lot lately on the effectiveness of fear based messaging vs hope based. The right is able to be hugely effective because fear is a powerful motivator, particularly the kinds of fears they traffic in. People are fat more motivated by the potential to lose something they already have (even if it's not something they're actually in danger of losing, perception IS reality) than by the possibility of gaining something new. When it all boils down to monkey brain psychology, it feels a bit like it doesn't matter how much ground we make up in messengers.
Yes, that's the tricky part, it's like the whole GOP platform appeals to monkey brain, and how do you fight that? Better angels are harder to win over, especially now that Trump has essentially given everyone permission to say the quiet part out loud.
Brilliant, as always. But if Republicans win on messaging because they have a stronger social media reach and they lie, can Dems compete by telling the truth (even if we get equal audience on socials)? Basically, do we have to lie, repeatedly, like they do to break through?
I have been asking ppl to support our Dems on social media for over 8 years now to like and share their posts. It’s like pulling teeth. Magas will share anything and Dems seem reluctant overall. I don’t waste time arguing with magas, I spend all my time in pro Dem groups trying to rally them to get active. Also Have you heard that the Biden-Harris campaign is using the Reach app to do relational organizing?
In all areas of life, I would rather have a pill than eat broccoli and go on walks 😅 But thanks for the reminders that the work is always and will always be the work.
Is there more policy change we could advocate for? Of course now I'm in a red state so I'm just "please don't kill us this way either" all the time. but still
“Everyone doesn’t need to do everything, but we need to ask everyone to do something.”
Yes, yes, yes!! I’ve read so many newsletters, comments, posts, Notes that are simply a complaint about the state of things. Anger toward the right, frustration towards the left, “lesser of two evils” type stuff. And if I read one more comment coded in therapy speak about “signing off to take care of my mental health” I am going to scream. Who do these people think is doing the work if they aren’t?? Join local grass roots or national organizations, give money or time, use a platform if you have it. We should be scared and angry and we should use it.
I've been reflecting a lot lately on the effectiveness of fear based messaging vs hope based. The right is able to be hugely effective because fear is a powerful motivator, particularly the kinds of fears they traffic in. People are fat more motivated by the potential to lose something they already have (even if it's not something they're actually in danger of losing, perception IS reality) than by the possibility of gaining something new. When it all boils down to monkey brain psychology, it feels a bit like it doesn't matter how much ground we make up in messengers.
Yes, that's the tricky part, it's like the whole GOP platform appeals to monkey brain, and how do you fight that? Better angels are harder to win over, especially now that Trump has essentially given everyone permission to say the quiet part out loud.
Brilliant, as always. But if Republicans win on messaging because they have a stronger social media reach and they lie, can Dems compete by telling the truth (even if we get equal audience on socials)? Basically, do we have to lie, repeatedly, like they do to break through?
Absolutely not. I cannot get behind any movement that doesn't have basic integrity.
I have been asking ppl to support our Dems on social media for over 8 years now to like and share their posts. It’s like pulling teeth. Magas will share anything and Dems seem reluctant overall. I don’t waste time arguing with magas, I spend all my time in pro Dem groups trying to rally them to get active. Also Have you heard that the Biden-Harris campaign is using the Reach app to do relational organizing?
In all areas of life, I would rather have a pill than eat broccoli and go on walks 😅 But thanks for the reminders that the work is always and will always be the work.
I'm also curious what you think of Ezra Klein's latest: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/09/opinion/musk-trump-doge-abundance-agenda.html?unlocked_article_code=1.204._nK5.DJuoImvMIYsQ&smid=url-share (gift link)
Is there more policy change we could advocate for? Of course now I'm in a red state so I'm just "please don't kill us this way either" all the time. but still