With all my silly posts, I will also stay real and share some news. This one involves LP.
In case anyone missed this post yesterday, here it is. With 10k reactions from a page with 163k followers, I would say that this is evidence that reach is quite poor. This is another example of FB's ability to present/withhold information.
Another example is from news reports that the term "Democrat" and similar terms were completely disabled. https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4g32yxpdz0o
I read another article that stated that a 70 year old woman didn't want to be pardoned for her acts on Jan 6 because she recognizes that she committed a crime and will not accept a pardon because it would be an insult to the Capitol Police. That her time in jail had separated her from the media and influences that resulted in her participation that day. On a podcast she had said that being removed from the usual sources enabled her to realize that she had been tricked. https://www.the-independent.com/news/world/americas/us-politics/trump-pardons-capitol-riot-pamela-hemphill-b2678717.html
I think the vast majority of folks have no idea about some of the issues that have been brought up in conversations here. It seems the case when reading comments and reactions. I just have to wonder, with reference to Nancy Grant's question about helping people outside of our communities and also with reference to the discussion question today regarding Martha's choices to warn others, where we might fit into the picture. Can we help the general population become better critical thinkers? Can we help steer them away from manipulation? I tend to think no. But then there is always the chance to help at least one other person. What do you all think?
Honestly, I don’t know what to think. Louise Penny’s post was the first thing I saw on my FB feed when I logged in that day. Like you, I am surprised by how few reactions there are. I applaud the woman who did not want the pardon. With the literacy rate low and people not reading, it just seems to me that so many people just want to be told what to think and do and they do not know that they have been manipulated.
Yes Nancy, I think you’ve nail it with literacy rates. But the responses from some LP readers puzzle me. I would’ve thought that all would understand LP’s post completely and respond more agreeably, but I didn’t see that at all. There was a big mixed bag.
I have been frustrated because I don’t know exactly what to do to narrow the divide in the country. I have decided to begin at home. Half of my family are not of the same political thinking as myself. I have begun asking questions to try and understand what is driving their thinking. What I have learned so far is that a lot of decisions have been made based solely on their pocket book at the time of the election. They have not educated themselves further than grabbing hold of the quips that ring true to them. Slowly I hope that we can have more and more in depth conversations that might lead to new ways of thinking. I think we have to remember that each step we take, each individual we talk to might lead to another person thinking differently and hopefully they will then change someone else’s mind. My ears are wide open to any ideas anyone else might have about how to deal with this dilemma. In the mean time I come here to BCF for kindness, thoughtfulness, and compassion. I come here to bolster me through the down times and keep me hopeful for the future. Thank all dear BCF – I treasure you!!!
I don’t know; it’s pretty hard to help people think when they just don’t want to, and when everything they watch and everybody they listen to validates their thoughts. I suppose, like Libby says, the key is turning on a light bulb one person at a time. Dealing with people one on one, showing a good example, being willing to listen to their concerns, and then having the diplomacy to create discussions instead of arguments. And have facts readily available, not just blow smoke and rhetoric in return. Some days I’m more capable of conducting myself in this fashion than others. I will have to be a work in progress, I’m afraid.
You are all so right. It’s an enormous challenge. Low literacy rates, struggles to just survive, effective communication…it seems impossible to overcome them all. An incredible amount of time, energy and resources are required to change attitudes and connect with people effectively.
But Pamela Hemphill is that little bit of light in all of this because she’s proof that it can be done. Her case shows that environmental influence can be a factor in forming and changing attitudes. I do think we need to think on how to minimize exposure to sources of manipulation.
Libby, I love your point that one person’s effort can have exponential results. It would certainly make the effort worthwhile, wouldn’t it? I think that this post must have been difficult for Louise to write. And I think it’s clear that she’s feeling the same way we do; it’s admirable that she’s risking her business to some degree to make this statement. To your point, Libby, LP’s post caused a huge stir and started conversations that our group wouldn’t have had otherwise. Some posted about plans to leave FB, some debated it to some degree, other responses were surprisingly disappointing. But I do think that when we see these conversations happening, people are more inclined to think on the topic seriously. And it makes me think that perhaps I need to spend a little more time thinking about what I could do.
I also read Louise’s Facebook post and struggle with the idea of continuing to use that platform (and reminded how much I appreciate this one). I will probably not leave Facebook entirely as it is a way to connect with family and friends so I use what exists of my options to block content, ads and people I want no part of.
Bluesky is more akin to Twitter than Facebook but I find it an interesting source of thoughtful writing. I have followed LP there.
As to the larger question of responding to current events and issues, I agree with what you all have written here. I am also specifically choosing to support the people, publications and organizations who reflect my values and publish the truth. My husband and I are fortunate to have some discretionary resources; they are going to places they will counter the efforts of this administration in as many ways as possible and to outlets who are not beholden and compromised by this administration. Granted, this seems wholly inadequate to the political landscape I see.
And, of course, I look forward to supporting BCFs and its thoughtful comments and humor.
I think it’s great that we can have these conversations and keep ourselves aware of what’s happening around us and how new technologies will impact us. I am incredibly appreciative of the thoughtful comments and the fact that you all are truly lovely people.
I’ll share with you a bit of insight from BCF’s stats that I just reviewed. You may think that there is only a small group of us discussing the books in our forums, but there are hundreds of people who read your comments. And we’ve had hundreds sign up and join us; several hundred in the past day alone because of LP’s post.
If you didn’t see Nancy Grant’s comment in a thread in TGW, it’s worth repeating here: “…you have no idea how much influence you have and how much you add to others growth”. So if you didn’t know how much you already contribute to the world outside of your individual communities, you should have a better idea now. And I couldn’t be more pleased to see that they are your voices that are having influence in this world.
I understand what you mean Jane, regarding efforts to counter the administration and whether they are adequate and effective. I think we would do well to celebrate every small win, any indication of justice served and all the hopeful possibilities we can see or imagine. And I do think it’s a small win to have gathered this special group of people here on BCF. Thank you all for being your wonderful selves.
As sad and depressing as the realities are in each of the comments here, this, for me, is an uplifting and comforting thread. I’m with Libby and very thankful for the company we’re keeping here. I treasure you all too!