Janina.....Well written and thought out. Your writing was basically preaching to the choir in my case but it did provoke thought. I like that about your writings. Have you read Heather Cox Richardson's newest book...Democracy Awakening? It's a great recap of where we've been as a democracy and where we are going...or might be going. While reading it I can't even tell you how many times I had to stop reading a paragraph and go back to see what years we were talking about...1800's, 1950's or now. So often it was not about right now and yet it was. We have repeated this cycle of attempted destruction of democracy so many times through out our history. But now enter the world wide web with a much larger vulnerable audience to receive the propaganda. And AI...can we even wrap our heads around that?
The IChing quote was especially thought provoking. I agree in the way that I believe it was intended. But what about all the evangelicals that have been politicized that believe they are operating out of collective "moral" force?
It really does come down to integrity vs desire for power. I hope that awareness and truth seeking become the power...the "thing" to do...the way to be....in vogue...whatever it takes. But there is a lot of garbage to bury first....or at least learn to discount. Re-teaching value is a tough job in this world where the bigger the untruth or lie the easier it is to hang onto.....wasn't that one of Hitlers modes of operandi? Maybe the solution is a huge movement to teach how to decipher information and find truths. But, alas, even those get corrupted. Could AI be used for that...for good. Would it get hijacked too.
I too will write postcards, make donations, read and stay informed and VOTE. But here is where they have already won with me.....fear. I don't put bumper stickers on my cars anymore, I don't advertise my position in public, I left social media because I couldn't keep my mouth shut. I fear retaliation. In the 60's-70's I marched and marched and protested. Now in my 70's I want peace however I can find it. I'm not proud of that but it has become my truth.
Keep writing....keep finding an audience...keep making a difference. I'll keep reading.
Deborah, thanks so much for this comment and your kind words. They mean a lot to me. A couple of responses for you….
Re the I Ching quote, the way I understand 'collective moral force' is a critical mass of individuals who have found their own gravity and grace. 'Evangelicals that have been politicized' don’t fit that description.
And, you are wise not to advertise your opinion in public. Opinions are overrated. So much of that is just virtue signaling, and trying to prove someone else wrong. It’s not getting to the heart of the matter. Keep up the good work. Thanks again!
Totally worth my time--as usual!! Linda Aaron
Janina.....Well written and thought out. Your writing was basically preaching to the choir in my case but it did provoke thought. I like that about your writings. Have you read Heather Cox Richardson's newest book...Democracy Awakening? It's a great recap of where we've been as a democracy and where we are going...or might be going. While reading it I can't even tell you how many times I had to stop reading a paragraph and go back to see what years we were talking about...1800's, 1950's or now. So often it was not about right now and yet it was. We have repeated this cycle of attempted destruction of democracy so many times through out our history. But now enter the world wide web with a much larger vulnerable audience to receive the propaganda. And AI...can we even wrap our heads around that?
The IChing quote was especially thought provoking. I agree in the way that I believe it was intended. But what about all the evangelicals that have been politicized that believe they are operating out of collective "moral" force?
It really does come down to integrity vs desire for power. I hope that awareness and truth seeking become the power...the "thing" to do...the way to be....in vogue...whatever it takes. But there is a lot of garbage to bury first....or at least learn to discount. Re-teaching value is a tough job in this world where the bigger the untruth or lie the easier it is to hang onto.....wasn't that one of Hitlers modes of operandi? Maybe the solution is a huge movement to teach how to decipher information and find truths. But, alas, even those get corrupted. Could AI be used for that...for good. Would it get hijacked too.
I too will write postcards, make donations, read and stay informed and VOTE. But here is where they have already won with me.....fear. I don't put bumper stickers on my cars anymore, I don't advertise my position in public, I left social media because I couldn't keep my mouth shut. I fear retaliation. In the 60's-70's I marched and marched and protested. Now in my 70's I want peace however I can find it. I'm not proud of that but it has become my truth.
Keep writing....keep finding an audience...keep making a difference. I'll keep reading.
Deborah, thanks so much for this comment and your kind words. They mean a lot to me. A couple of responses for you….
Re the I Ching quote, the way I understand 'collective moral force' is a critical mass of individuals who have found their own gravity and grace. 'Evangelicals that have been politicized' don’t fit that description.
And, you are wise not to advertise your opinion in public. Opinions are overrated. So much of that is just virtue signaling, and trying to prove someone else wrong. It’s not getting to the heart of the matter. Keep up the good work. Thanks again!