Rural conservatives are not the enemy, they were just the first victims of the rich and the neoliberalism scam. Now the billionaires are coming for the rest of us. So much divisiveness is caused by propaganda on social media, something must be done about that.
Thank you for this. I have given up all social media (I don’t count substacks) for Lent and it showed me that my doomscrolling made me FEEL like I was doing something. I don’t plan on getting back on. I’ve already done more practical work in the two weeks that I’ve stopped than I’ve done since the rest of the time
I think that’s a brilliant thing to give up for Lent — and it really is amazing how easy it is to fall into the “I’m doing something, so that means it’s useful, right?” trap with doomscrolling!
I've lucked out with a pretty good life (so far, knock wood) but my family is definitely from a different apocalypse-land. Thank you so much for this essay. You've voiced something that has been bothering me for a while now.
Thank you so much for reading, and for sharing that comic! Sounds like we're resonating with the same message here. (Also, nice to Substack-meet you :)
This was a true joy to read, Rachel. I know that's weird. But I could hear your voice and this is the most real and hopefully effective rant I have ever read.
As always, your perspective helps me to 'turn that gaze around.' I have been asking myself how long before this 'trickles up' and becomes not a problem of the impoverished and disenfranchised but of all of us.
I'd love to have something smart, clever, or useful to 'add to the conversation' here. But mostly I salute you, I thank you and I will heed your words.
I want more of your writing in the world. Thank you.
This means SO much to me, thank you Cynthia! I'm grateful for the salute, and for the kind words. I always have this idea that these kind of thoughts are only interesting in my head, so to see them have such a warm reception outside of it means the world <3
Your thoughts are so potent outside your head as written words. (spoken, too!) You are smart, funny, real and no BS. And you know I am not a fluffer so all of this is true.
I love when an article both gives words to something I felt but didn’t know how to say, and expands my perspective beyond my previous awareness. Yours did both. Thank you for writing this!
This piece puts into words better than I could the annoyance I’ve had with “bystanders and what I call “trauma tourists.” It’s especially bothered me when people create content just for the purpose of increasing follower count over a social justice or human rights issue they can’t personally identify with nor do they have any inclination of taking concrete action on.
I left a secretive religious cult at 15 and then my past came roaring back a few years ago when a federal investigation was announced. The full weight of having been in that environment growing up as a 5th generation member - primed me in some ways to both plan for and understand the psychology of what is happening at scale. I have the tools and understanding to know how to identify cultic or high control group characteristics and personalities.
You are so right that keyboard warrior memes are not helpful and I’ll be the first to admit I’ve gone that route once or twice. But at the end of the day - People’s actual lives and well being will be impacted and many lives potentially lost in the next four years. It feels like a slow moving train wreck but only some train cars are getting the message. I have point blank started saying that “unless the conversation is centered around what actions are being taken to help and lift others, I don’t have the bandwidth to engage.”
A friend once remarked to me that ‘your elected reps are also not checking your Facebook complaints. If people would just wake up and stop social media content munching for 3 seconds and talk to an actual human in real time who can identify with your life experience and even income bracket - maybe everyone will figure out that living their convictions is actually going to require them to turn off their TV.
They will need to put some ‘action’ behind their words. They might need to walk, drive, or stand in line somewhere and be totally inconvenienced to lend a helping hand to people in the thick of it. I feel like a lot of people are still asleep and until it’s personally a problem for them - they do not care.
"If people would just wake up and stop social media content munching for 3 seconds and talk to an actual human in real time who can identify with your life experience and even income bracket - maybe everyone will figure out that living their convictions is actually going to require them to turn off their TV." I absolutely love this. And yeah, it's amazing how spending the least little amount of time with someone in real life makes *such* a difference. So happy this resonated with you, and I appreciate your thoughtful and kind words!
Rural conservatives are not the enemy, they were just the first victims of the rich and the neoliberalism scam. Now the billionaires are coming for the rest of us. So much divisiveness is caused by propaganda on social media, something must be done about that.
this is the Hillbilly Elegy we should have read.
you are the jd vance we should have had
Remember Blair Mountain.
That's one hell of a compliment -- thank you!
keep going!!! write more and MORE 💕💕💕💕
Thank you for this. I have given up all social media (I don’t count substacks) for Lent and it showed me that my doomscrolling made me FEEL like I was doing something. I don’t plan on getting back on. I’ve already done more practical work in the two weeks that I’ve stopped than I’ve done since the rest of the time
I think that’s a brilliant thing to give up for Lent — and it really is amazing how easy it is to fall into the “I’m doing something, so that means it’s useful, right?” trap with doomscrolling!
I've lucked out with a pretty good life (so far, knock wood) but my family is definitely from a different apocalypse-land. Thank you so much for this essay. You've voiced something that has been bothering me for a while now.
https://drucomics.substack.com/p/bad-things-happen-you-can-still-live
Thank you so much for reading, and for sharing that comic! Sounds like we're resonating with the same message here. (Also, nice to Substack-meet you :)
Nice to meet you too. I’m glad Cynthia shared your post!
Me too!
This was a true joy to read, Rachel. I know that's weird. But I could hear your voice and this is the most real and hopefully effective rant I have ever read.
As always, your perspective helps me to 'turn that gaze around.' I have been asking myself how long before this 'trickles up' and becomes not a problem of the impoverished and disenfranchised but of all of us.
I'd love to have something smart, clever, or useful to 'add to the conversation' here. But mostly I salute you, I thank you and I will heed your words.
I want more of your writing in the world. Thank you.
This means SO much to me, thank you Cynthia! I'm grateful for the salute, and for the kind words. I always have this idea that these kind of thoughts are only interesting in my head, so to see them have such a warm reception outside of it means the world <3
Your thoughts are so potent outside your head as written words. (spoken, too!) You are smart, funny, real and no BS. And you know I am not a fluffer so all of this is true.
Hahaha I do know that — thank you so much Cynthia, it really and truly means so much to hear that, especially from you!
I love when an article both gives words to something I felt but didn’t know how to say, and expands my perspective beyond my previous awareness. Yours did both. Thank you for writing this!
Thanks so much, glad it was able to do both of those things for you :)
Appreciate this! Do you happen to have more info in the recent union victory I can read?
Sure! Are you OK with me messaging you a link?
And thanks for the kind words!
Yes please, a link would be great!
Done!
Thank you. Such an important reminder.
So glad it resonated with you!
Thanks! I needed that face slap! Best thing I have read on Substack❤️
That's so kind, thank you! And glad the face slap did what you needed it to :)
This piece puts into words better than I could the annoyance I’ve had with “bystanders and what I call “trauma tourists.” It’s especially bothered me when people create content just for the purpose of increasing follower count over a social justice or human rights issue they can’t personally identify with nor do they have any inclination of taking concrete action on.
I left a secretive religious cult at 15 and then my past came roaring back a few years ago when a federal investigation was announced. The full weight of having been in that environment growing up as a 5th generation member - primed me in some ways to both plan for and understand the psychology of what is happening at scale. I have the tools and understanding to know how to identify cultic or high control group characteristics and personalities.
You are so right that keyboard warrior memes are not helpful and I’ll be the first to admit I’ve gone that route once or twice. But at the end of the day - People’s actual lives and well being will be impacted and many lives potentially lost in the next four years. It feels like a slow moving train wreck but only some train cars are getting the message. I have point blank started saying that “unless the conversation is centered around what actions are being taken to help and lift others, I don’t have the bandwidth to engage.”
A friend once remarked to me that ‘your elected reps are also not checking your Facebook complaints. If people would just wake up and stop social media content munching for 3 seconds and talk to an actual human in real time who can identify with your life experience and even income bracket - maybe everyone will figure out that living their convictions is actually going to require them to turn off their TV.
They will need to put some ‘action’ behind their words. They might need to walk, drive, or stand in line somewhere and be totally inconvenienced to lend a helping hand to people in the thick of it. I feel like a lot of people are still asleep and until it’s personally a problem for them - they do not care.
"If people would just wake up and stop social media content munching for 3 seconds and talk to an actual human in real time who can identify with your life experience and even income bracket - maybe everyone will figure out that living their convictions is actually going to require them to turn off their TV." I absolutely love this. And yeah, it's amazing how spending the least little amount of time with someone in real life makes *such* a difference. So happy this resonated with you, and I appreciate your thoughtful and kind words!
It's good to have your fierce and on-point energy, Rachel. Thank you!
Thank YOU so much for reading!
There aren't enough words for how much I love this. Here for the long haul with you!
That means so much to me, truly! Thank you so much <3
Well, I absolutely loved this. Thank you.
Ahh that makes me so happy to hear. Thank you!!