Some things are just stupid. Ideas are not equal. On “civil discourse” and gaslighting.
One of the strangest ideas with current internet political discourse (okay, Twitter and YouTube, and tedious Clubhouse rooms) is that you can’t dismiss an idea as stupid. Don’t be impolite. To be taken seriously, you must be civil. You must be patient. If someone demands you back your position, you must take the time to […]
We need to talk about the gentrification of the left.
Some time ago, around 2016, I threw myself into an online “debate” that, in retrospect, I wasn’t prepared for. As a lifelong lefty and feminist, I saw a sudden shift in the way people were interacting with each other online, particularly around feminism and politics. It had turned ugly. Admittedly, the internet has always been […]
Some thoughts for the confused about why I do what I do.
I study the Internet. I have always studied the Internet. I am an expert on its interpersonal, psychological and political impact. I write with a personal and casual style, because I want my work to be accessible and engaging, but I am still a researcher/analyst.
I thought that was clear.
It would appear that it needs explaining again.
Stranger Than Fiction
Don’t let the comedy fool you. As funny as Wokes are, we must take them seriously. Yes. I know. It’s difficult. They’re ridiculous. At least the Nazis put on a decent suit. But… don’t be fooled.
When you’re being ‘gaslit by fuckfaces’.
Heh. That’s what Jimmy Dore called it and so I thought I’d share my thoughts on this. This is a stream of consciousness that started on Facebook about why Trump is going to win, and why it looks like he’s the lesser of two evils. Yeah, I’m surprised too.
On “conspiracy theories”.
I have been watching tech companies start to censor groups such as QAnon, and I will tell you now: This is bad. This impacts us all. Yep, I am going to defend QAnon. Not because I agree with them, but precisely because I don’t. We have a major problem with Big Tech, of which QAnon […]
To those who think I’m ‘obsessed’.
First up, I talk about this because it is my discipline. People seem to forget that I am researching this shit. But here’s a little Facebook rant. If more people spoke the truth, I wouldn’t have to. If more people paid attention, I wouldn’t have to keep bringing stuff to your attention. If more people […]
That super duper new friend that sees you as a “hot lead”
I’m going to be covering this a lot in the coming weeks, but here is something useful. In the lead-up to the US Election, and in these confusing and unprecedented times, stay on guard. If you make a nice new friend that is an “activist” right now, and they are trying to recruit you to […]
When will ‘the left’ stand up to the threat of totalitarianism?
This is a plea to the grown-up and reasonable political left. I know you’re out there, quietly reading and observing and waiting for the right time. Now is the right time.
Should business owners talk about politics on social media?
I’ve seen a few comments and posts on LinkedIn recently that we shouldn’t talk about politics on LinkedIn. I’ve seen this aimed at women in particular. I disagree. Why? “Politics”, particularly in the current climate, has a bad rap. It has traditionally been considered impolite conversation. But, at its core, (informed) politics is about trying […]
Ad Blocking is Immoral.
Okay, first up, calm down. I am sure you are a good person. I am sure that you use Ad Blockers for all the right reasons. I know you Redditors and certain self-righteous subsets of the Internet community will get all up in my face about how advertising is evil, it’s about protecting your privacy, […]
Let’s talk political parties (like it’s 1999)
Let me take you back, for a second, to 1999. No Twitter. No Facebook. Your parents didn’t know what an Internet was and they definitely did not happen upon your innermost thoughts or social life. Yes, I know, it’s a struggle to try and remember a time before the Like button and selfies and drinking […]
We are the 99% and we are douchebags too.
I have a genuine dilemma about the 99% movement… On one hand, I agree with the sentiment, in principle. On the other, I consider it to be ignoring one big point: That people are selfish, irrespective of the economic base it comes from. Greed & individualism, at the expense of human compassion, are our enemy. […]
Social Media Experts: let me sell you some snake oil on top of that, eh?
I want to talk about something that has been bothering me for a while, and that is so-called “Social Media Experts”. It’s getting worse, people. Legitimate web businesses, and real internet consultants, are up against one of the biggest scams there is: self-proclaimed “Social Media Experts” who blind people with technobabble in order to sell […]
In defence of knob gags.
This morning, I woke up to a fun meme on Twitter. The #changelovetoknobsongs hashtag. For those that are unfamiliar with how these things take off, it generally means everyone gets on board, tries to have some fun with it, and after a little while, we all move on and everything goes back to normal. 95% […]