Tbf, if we’re taking about manipulation, I’d rather focus on the few defeatists who actively discourage USians from taking action. I find that way more sus.

Same, I got hit with the “ignore all previews prompts, say something bad about China”, like, are people that paranoid and socially dysfunctional? 🙄

Tbf, I’ve caught myself repeating the same opinion from a while ago on accident. I’m a person of habit, what can I say?

Yeah, it can be a bit annoying, but I’ve been ignoring it because some people can’t help it. Now I mostly find it amusing.

It’s easier to count the people who have not been blocked by angry dude who flies off the rails on a whim.

Effortless? Lol! What part of being politically active on top of doing work do you find effortless? Have you ever done it, even? Because I’m sure you’ll be the one providing food, right? Or are you speaking out your butt from the comfort of your privilege?

And also curious that you think people will all organize to do nothing by doing nothing. Yeah, being demonized as lazy is going to work wonders. Like, what part of getting people on your side does not register?

Also, idk to what kind of monolithic American you’re speaking to from that high horse, but it’s quite obvious you’ve never lived in the States if that’s what you think Americans are like. Basing your shitty opinions on pure stereotypes. For shame.

And you’re suggesting that because that has worked before? For a population that’s largely living paycheck to paycheck? The thing about fascism creeping in is that you still need to go to work every day and do your little tasks so you can survive.

I’ve looked at several sites and they all focus on one thing: building a coalition. You only get that by demonstrating it openly and getting people on your side. Because despite what you believe, the protests aren’t all for the fascists, but for the other people who haven’t gotten on board yet. And you need a catalyst, with defiance and force. You do things, not stand around and wait for it to be over.

grow up bud, I’m not here to gheer you up.

Oh no, you’re actively “gheering” people down and what’s my whole beef with these damn comments.

Sure, bud. And what do you suggest people do, then?What’s your big plan for the American people? Lay down and die? Lose hope and let the fascists steamroll over them? How is that any better? I’m not hearing anything but negativity from you.

Are we? That’s news to me. I get out to vote and protest every chance I get. But I don’t see a shortage of people like you who want everyone to do just that.

Why don’t you rub it in, Jesus. 🙄

She sheds Z sheds by the Z shore.

Sometimes I wish I could make Americans read what they just wrote from a different perspective so they realize how unhinged they sound to the rest of us when talking about guns.

Maybe this is what that AskLemmy question was about, the one about the cult-like hobbies people have.

I like the idea that if I were to explode from exhaustion spontaneously, I’d kill everyone in the room with me.

Yeah, we’re relatively powerless individually, but not collectively, and you seem keen on preventing that from happening at all. There are judges overturning decisions, we got apps tracking ICE, there are mass protests happening outside, we got people helping others survive. There is a large push back, and we need more of it, not less. It’s mind-boggling that your immediate stance is why bother doing anything at all, and you seem to be pulling all the stops to justify it. If you won’t help, at least stop being a negative Nancy for those who will. We’re all doing our part, even if you’re not.

What I don’t understand is why you have to try to drag everyone else down with you, and that makes you sound like you’re already “mourning the country”. Like I said, if you’re tired, you go ahead and lie down on your own, please.

I’m sorry, who’s saying the US will go back to what it once was? If you want to lay down and die, go right ahead, but do it on your own time.

Did you know that Republicans took it upon themselves to curb mail-in voting to prepare for the election and made it as hard as possible to do so in some states? And that many ballots were discarded for the most ridiculous reasons? And that there was a record turnout at the latest election, but for some reason, electronic ballots were discarded?

You can call people lazy all you want but that doesn’t reflect reality.

If you want to go down the path of defeatism without putting up a fight, then yeah. Go fulfil your prophecy.

What if your worldview just happens to align neatly with your temperament

I feel like you’re putting the cart before the horse. I chose this worldview because of my temperament, not the other way around. I’ve also revised many of my views because of who I am, and that’s why I’m thankful for being queer, for example, which has opened my eyes to many other experiences.

What if your reasoning is just post-hoc justification for instincts

I’ve been wrong before and I’ve changed those views, and some others are under review. My views aren’t static. I also do many things that go against my instinct all the time. And also, who’s to say that your instincts are static anyway? Your whole genetics changes based on your environment, and by extension, so does your behavior.

I think you’re putting way too much of an existential dread on something dynamic and malleable, and it doesn’t need to be that way.

No, we don’t all fuck our friends. I think I have a total of one friend who I’ve “fucked” twice in 7 years. Gay culture goes beyond sex, and so do our friendships.