We All Find Out Together

I’ve been thinking a lot about the things that allegedly divide us. The more we talk about them, especially in combative terms, the more I wonder about the entities that benefit from it (shocker). Gone are the days of thinking and hoping that social media would be a great uniting ground wherein people would come to realize the overwhelming similarities we all share that vastly dwarf our differences. Maybe there’s still some of that, but at this point, it feels that our selective echo chambers are pretty solidified. It’s unfortunate knowing that people are hurting from the exact hands that claim to feed them and that we’re all caught in a cycle that works to perpetuate an “us vs. them” scenario amongst civilians. Especially annoying is knowing that if there’s a “them” that a collective “us” should be against, it would be the group of people so flushed with resources that they could eradicate multiple societal ills and still maintain a lavish lifestyle, but I digress. More on the digital front, knowing that algorithms are intentionally being skewed to make you unfollow certain figures and cutoff free flow of information is beyond concerning and acutely dystopian. That said, I’m also in a place where I feel that I need little time for assessment on current happenings. A certain proximity and frequency to a topic kind of puts you in a flow state where you’re kept current and quickly know where you want to go with new information. Action and tangible/reportable change is at the helm for me and what I can confidently say is a LOT of people feel similarly called to motion. While it feels invigorating, it’s also a bit of a double edged sword. I’m always going to be a proponent of reaching out locally and investing where you find yourself. Sharing meals, time, and the general fortifying of community goes a long way. Currently, the protest of King Soopers chains as they have been underpaying their employees (double shocker), is amassing support. Spreading the word to neighbors and acquaintances who’ve made the shift away in solidarity and to cause monetary disruptions (one of the only kinds that matters to companies of that size) has been great and inspiring. Still though, I think about the more large scale shifts that would have to occur to make some systemic changes and feel a bit of a headscratcher towards what that looks like. Examples like the new employee whistleblowing line for insider democrats seems kind of redundant when the law breaking is brazen and on display for everyone already. I’ll keep talking, spending intentionally, and uniting energized people in hope of creating positive change. You should too!

Osteo-Flora

A thought I haven’t been able to put down for a few days has been the repetition of the cycle that saw the creation of the U.S. that is currently being attempted in Gaza. Empires have a ways of going into a place, causing great harm and destruction, sewing the seeds of a new society, and using the subsequent generations as a buffer for the reparations that truly belong to the people who had their lives uprooted. I believe this cycle to be all too common for coincidence and the actions of empires at this stage to be guaranteed to implode. My think piece Osteo-Flora (or maybe just bone flowers? Who knows😂) covers this topic at length and will be published at the end of the month and available to all subscribers! Excited to give y’all this piece! And forward to anyone you think would be interested to sign up!