Chaos… grand and absolute

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  • This World Is On Fire

    This World Is On Fire

    Social Media Going Forward

    There’s a noticeable shift happening in social media, and it’s not for the better. As the online climate becomes more divisive and hostile, the semi-anonymity of the internet continues to embolden cruelty. Many platforms have pretty much surrendered content moderation under the guise of protecting “free speech.” However, free speech, a protection against government censorship, is being used as a shield by private companies as a way to refuse to uphold basic human decency. I highly doubt the founding fathers intended this right to justify trolling, misinformation, and outright deceit.

    The loudest voices calling for “free speech” often react most aggressively when their harmful content faces moderation. They’re not being censored—they’re being called out for spreading lies and enabling harm. Free speech has limits, like libel and slander laws. It’s baffling how many people think the right to free speech should be absolute in the private sector too. Even some political leaders echo this idea in the media, though most haven’t attempted to legislate it—yet.

    We’ve seen what happens when platforms take a lax approach to content moderation. Look no further than what Twitter has devolved into: a cesspool of hate, vitriol, and misinformation. When this neglect spreads, it has real-world consequences. I’ve personally watched friends fall victim to lies and start dipping their toes into recreational hate, often targeting marginalized communities. It’s a distraction—a political sleight of hand meant to keep the public from focusing on real issues. Don’t take the bait and engage in recreational hate!

    This slow boil of negativity is starting to steam over, and I’m choosing to step back before it gets worse.

    The days of polite, curious, and human engagement on social media feel long gone. Remember when the novelty of talking to someone across the world sparked genuine interest in learning about each other’s lives? Now, the focus has shifted to division. Engagement metrics—clicks, comments, shares—have become the currency, and hate sells. Hate fuels more hate, and I’ve had enough.

    I’m not deleting my Facebook account, but I will be reducing my presence. This may involve setting a specific time to check the platform, removing the app from my home screen, uninstalling it from my phone, or limiting access to my personal computer only.

    I’ve even considered launching my own social platform using open-source software like Friendica. However, I’ve been down a similar path before. When I experimented with Mastodon, the hosting costs for even a small community of five users quickly became unsustainable—around $50 to $80 per month!

    For now, I’m redirecting my social media time to Threads, Mastodon, and BlueSky. My friends are scattered across these platforms, so I’m maintaining all three, even if it sounds overwhelming. To simplify, I’m using a service called Micro.blog, which lets me post to all three simultaneously and even reply from the same app. It works for me.

    This shift isn’t just about leaving toxic spaces—it’s part of a broader personal journey. I want to focus on what I can control: my mindset, my growth, and how I engage with the world. I can’t control the flood of misinformation or the hostility online, but I can control how I react to it—by choosing not to engage in it. This self-reflection is something I plan to explore more here on my blog.

    At one point, I even debated creating a website dedicated entirely to good news. Cheesy? Maybe. But I’ve found that micro-dosing positivity can be surprisingly effective in a world that feels like it’s losing its mind. Unfortunately, the reality of running such a site hit hard: it would require constant fact-checking, research, and writing just to maintain a steady flow of reliable positive stories. It would be a full-time job, so I decided against it.

    Instead, I’ll use this blog to share what’s keeping me grounded—how this introspective journey is going, the tools I’ve discovered along the way, and anything that brings me a bit of peace.

    I know some of my friends feel the same. Several have already left Facebook and Meta platforms entirely, moving to group chats on Signal. With recent national security concerns over traditional SMS vulnerabilities, this was an added bonus.

    I’ve also changed how I consume news. The “both sides” reporting style has grown frustrating, especially when it amplifies misinformation. Giving harmful rhetoric a platform feels as reckless as a parent giving a child equal say in an argument about drinking from the cleaning supplies cabinet (please don’t do that). It’s eroded my trust in many mainstream outlets. While I still follow some corporate media, I’ve shifted toward more independent sources where content is multi-sourced, and the hosts aren’t answering to billionaires. I highly recommend doing the same for your own mental health.

    Here is my current news source diet:

    • The Daily Beans: News with swearing. That’s literally their tagline. Woman- and veteran-owned, the hosts are two comedians who break down the political chaos with humor. They were also early reporters on Project 2025, well before mainstream coverage. They’re also the sister podcast of Mueller She Wrote, which read the Mueller Report during the last 4 years of turmoil. You should listen to their latest reading of the MattGaetz report. Seriously.
    • Ground News: You’ve probably seen the ads. It aggregates multiple news sources, labels political leanings, and highlights corporate ownership for better transparency. The free version works well enough for getting a sense of bias.
    • John Fugelsang: My favorite foul-mouthed Christian commentator. I don’t always agree with him, but he’s thought-provoking.
    • IHIP News (I’ve Had It Podcast spin-off): Two progressive women from the South, unapologetically speaking truth from deep in conservative Oklahoma. They often describe it as being in “trench warfware” for them.

    Micro-dose happiness where you can. I encourage everyone to start their own blogs, too. Writing helped me process my thoughts back in the day and still forces me to slow down, organize my ideas, and clarify my perspective. It’s a strangely calming practice in today’s fast-paced world. Plus, it’s great for brushing up on writing skills—something I’m clearly needing as I rewrite this post multiple times!

    If you’re considering launching a blog or trying any of the tools I’ve mentioned, feel free to reach out. I’m happy to help!

  • Hello World 2

    Hello World 2

    It’s been a bit.

    I often forget about this personal blog space. A lot has happened since I last wrote here. I briefly resumed blogging during the Covid-19 pandemic. It’s strange—funny, really—how we refer to that 1-3 year stretch as “the covid times,” and even stranger how everything before then has become “the before times.” It speaks volumes about the event’s profound impact—politically, economically, and socially.

    Here we are, five years later, and the world seems to brace itself for yet another shift.

    Corporate media, bitter as it’s often been, has turned sour—some might even say toxic. Misinformation and disinformation run rampant, not just from the usual corporate news sources but across social media too, amplified by bots and fake profiles with questionable agendas. News is measured by how fast it spreads, not by the reliability of its source or even a basic fact-check. Trust first, verify… never? And I’m not sure we’ll get the chance to verify much moving forward.

    The rise of LLMs (Large Language Models, or AI) has cluttered the internet further. Search results often feel diluted, AI-generated content blending truth with fiction. That’s a rant for another day—I do believe LLMs have legitimate use-cases, but we’re haven’t figured it out. No, the answer is not put AI in everything including our apple pie. (oh, geez I see this happening)

    Meanwhile, access to credible news is increasingly hidden behind paywalls. That’s right—knowledge now comes with a price tag.

    Public trust in institutions once built to protect us continues to erode. The very checks-and-balances that shaped this country are now questioned. Some seek to consolidate power, much like how massive corporations swallow smaller ones.

    As information fatigue sets in, many companies have surrendered on content moderation altogether. Whether out of fear of the incoming administration’s thin skin or simply giving up due to the financial strain of managing it. It feels like a white flag of defeat.

    This is not the future I imagined.

    People are migrating away from hostile social platforms. I’ve found myself shifting too—rearranging my mindset, focusing inward, and exploring creative ways to manage life’s challenges.

    So here’s my focus:

    • Stay more organized. Exploring tools and methods that fit my ADHD tendencies.
    • Rediscover my love for writing. It’s been a long time since I flexed that muscle, and as I write this, the words don’t come as easily as they once did. I hate that!
    • Prioritize what truly matters. Making time for the experiences and goals I value most.
    • Microdose happiness. As it becomes harder to find joy in the big picture, I’ll make the most of small things—simple pleasures, fleeting moments, and everyday victories.

    In this spirit, I’ve locked down my older entries and removed the ability to comment. It feels like a strange time—so different from the early internet days when curiosity thrived. We’d leave thoughtful comments on strangers’ blogs, engage in real conversations, and share ideas openly. Does anyone remember tweet-ups? When you met folks IRL (In Real Life)? Gosh, mayb I’m aging myself.

    Now? Those metaphorical walls are back up. It’s no longer the same wide-eyed “hello world” optimism I grew up with. We’re now in this nightmare, twilight zone timeline some of us refer to as Earth 2. So, Hello World 2.