Talking is cheap, people follow like sheep, even though there is nowhere to go.
Remember that song? I was looking for something on my own blog, easy with the search facility, and a post came up from July 2013. I remember it well. The title was Common sense politics. Guest post. My alter ego, Nellie Knowitall, from Stating the Bleedin Obvious, took over the reins. It caused a bit of a kerfuffle. It was back in the days when Anonymous, and Unknown were allowed to take part in conversations. Reading through the 76 comments, it seemed pretty civilised.
A lot of what was covered then hasn't changed very much. We are still talking about open borders and freedom of movement. Only now, the tone of conversations has very much deteriorated, because the situation almost eleven years ago has not gone away, it has amplified.
A different language has come into play, emotions have escalated, and people are finding more expressive words to illustrate their anger. Back then I was willing to discuss political issues, but over the years it is obvious that finding a common ground has moved further and further away.
Hiding behind Anonymous and Unknown has given people a suit of armour. They are now not afraid of stalking those who have a different opinion. The battle lines are now shifting towards more confrontational skirmishes online. I can't see anyone retreating.
I think we have reached the end of the road where discussion can sort out differences. We now don't know if the words on a screen are those written by a real human, or are they the product of an AI computer programmer.
The future will be interesting. Predictive text is moving forward, our computers are dictating how we should respond to emails. If we want to retain our freedoms and sovereignty we have to start thinking for ourselves now, before we lose the ability to do so.
Here is the link to the post from July 2013.
Raining here. Enjoy your Sunday. Toodle pip. ilona
Ten years already! That was around the time I started reading frugal living blogs. it's been interesting to watch people change and grow.
ReplyDeleteThen it seemed as if it was a poverty porn battle, remember those old comedy skits usually involving Yorkshiremen? We were so poor.... Some bloggers are going full circle back to those days due to the cost of living crisis.
"crisis" caused by governments and their taxation schedules. Leaders have to look good to the WEF.
It's a fact of life that changes are inevitable, nothing stays the same. Frugal and simple living are back in fashion again. Living within your means should be taught in school but seems to have been abandoned. The latest fad is get used to living in a tiny home, get your groceries delivered, and you may never need to set foot out of the door.
DeleteCivility and respect for differing opinions is just about gone. First it was celebrities saying whatever they wished. Now it is government leaders using foul language and tearing down anyone whose opinion differs from theirs. Respectful disagreement is a thing of the past. The loudest, foulest voice in the room gets the attention. The press feeds into it. I rarely listen to the news on television. It’s better for my mental health to retreat from current events. Thank you for posting photos of the beautiful scenery and old buildings you see along your journeys.
ReplyDeleteI try and mix my posts up. I speak about whatever interests me. I don't need to shout or start arguments.
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