Slowing down online

[Bill Peckham]

I think this is really good. http://text-patterns.thenewatlantis.com/2017/01/recency-illusions.html The last paragraph says what I have felt but have not found the words to say:

I have come to believe that it is impossible for anyone who is regularly on social media to have a balanced and accurate understanding of what is happening in the world. To follow a minute-by-minute cycle of news is to be constantly threatened by illusion. So I’m not just staying off Twitter, I’m cutting back on the news sites in my RSS feed, and deleting browser bookmarks to newspapers. Instead, I am turning more of my attention to monthly magazines, quarterly journals, and books. I’m trying to get a somewhat longer view of things — trying to start thinking about issues one when some of the basic facts about them have been sorted out. Taking the short view has burned me far too many times; I’m going to try to prevent that from happening ever again (even if I will sometimes fail). And if once in a while I end up fighting a battle in a war that has already ended ... I can live with that.

I think pointing out, earlier in the article, what a crazy year 1972 was, is really helpfull. I was 9 years old in 1972, I'm grateful we didn't have the internet when I was growing up. You hear the rhetoric on both sides about how these are unprecedented times. They are not.

Thinking about the election one thought comes to mind - one does not get to decide if you are being a jerk - judging you is entirely up to others. I think a lot of people voted for Trump and/or Republicans generally because they believed Democrats had been governing like jerks. I would say that much, but not all, of this impression was, as discussed in the article, artifacts of this Twitter/Facebook/News bubble world where judgements are made and impressions formed minute to minute. I don't know if anyone has figured out how to llive as the focus of social media, the Democrats certainly haven't. Now it is Trump and the Republicans who are in the eye of the minute to minute storm. As for me I don't want to be in the minute. I think on some issues I can be in the hour - the provision of dialysis and CKD research - but for the rest I think in the month will be about right.

Right now there are important things happening regarding things I care very much about, the provision of dialysis and CKD research certainly, but more so the health of the nation and Americans generally. I believe I will be better prepared and more effective advocating for my positions if I am not in the minute. In regard to my life and my future I'm optimistic. It would be foolish to spend my minute to minute attention on anything except what I am seeing and experiencing in meat space. Maybe I am just getting old but I don't see the upside of living online in the moment. In meat space being in the moment is great. I recommend it.

[kickingandscreaming]

In meat space being in the moment is great.

Where/what exactly is "meat space?"  I've never heard that term.

[Michael Murphy]

I was 21 in 1972 and while the country was in upheaval  it was also a time of change and of things that really neede to be done that was the year if I Remember   correctly that the company I worked for signed a EEOC agreement so women were allowed to apply for any job.  When I started working in 1969 the work force in many areas was male and white.  I don't think this year is as bad or as good as 1972.  If you look at all the polls they all have trump at a 36 point approval rating,  almost 50 points lower then Obamas in 2009.  I think the approval rating explains how trump got elected.  A lot of unhappy voters assumed Clinton was going to win and voted for trump to express their displeasure.  If every one who voted for trump wanted him to win I firmly believe his numbers would be better.
Simply put trump is a practical joke America played on itself.  Modified to fix spelling errors.

[MooseMom]

kickingandscreaming, I'd not heard the term "meat space", either, but it is brilliant!!     I hope I am correctly assuming it means "real life".

Bill, thank you for posting this as a reminder to look at things in the long term.  I won't go near twitter, I don't have any news feeds but I DO admit to bookmarking certain news sites, particularly foreign ones.  I'm going to stop doing that.  I do read certain weekly and monthly journals, and I have found that they tend to be more introspective while also being more forward looking.

[cattlekid]

Meat space is the equivalent of the current term "IRL"  (in real life)   

In meat space being in the moment is great.

Where/what exactly is "meat space?"  I've never heard that term.

[cattlekid]

I find your comments regarding 1972 very interesting.  I was born in 1970 so it was quite before my time.  But I recently started reading a book called January 1973 about that month in American history and how so many events all came crashing together in that one month during Nixon's presidency.  I would like to finish it sometime but the way it is written makes it a tough slog.

I admit that it is fairly slow at work right now so I find myself getting sucked into things like Washington Post and Twitter more than I probably should be.  But I admit that Twitter can have some great uses, I've gotten way more accomplished with certain business entities on Twitter than I could have in any other fashion.  But yes, everything is knee-jerk.  I'm reminded of CNN and the days of the Columbine shooting and 9/11.  I was home for both of those days and just watching CNN and how the story twists from one minute to another even before social media was unbelievable. 

[Michael Murphy]

My mother when she was alive became addicted to Catastrophe News Network as my sister and I began to refer a CNN as.

[Charlie B53]

I don't see Trump winning to be any more of a joke on America than when Ronald Reagan won.  I mean an ACTOR, as President?  And he turned out to be a very good President.   Either way, Trump is in the Oval Office, it is our Duty as Citizens to support him and give him a chance to do good.

All the Snowflakes continued whining will not change the person in the Oval Office.  Stop the whining and act like productive citizens instead of whining crybabies just because you didn't get your way.  How many of them even bothered to vote?

[Michael Murphy]

First national election I didnt vote in 46 years because I was in the hospital in a cardiac Care unit.  And I dont remember the greatness Of the regan years I remember them as the prelude to the economics disasters during the Bush administration.  Plus the suffering of the people caused by his illegally with holding treatment for stroke victims by denying Medicare the ability to pay for rehab for stroke victims, then when it would lose in court not appealing the decision forcing every victim to go to court to get approval.  Majority of victims won however it took a year and the first 6 months are the time when rehab will help them recover function.  What the result of this policy was thousands of stoke victims condemned for the rest of their lives was a life limited by unrepaired stroke damage.  The Carnage in the poor was well documented during the Reagan administration as it illegally stopped paying Social Security benefits to any child of a parent that died, the law required them to receive help during college, again when they lost in court they didn't appeal forcing every one to wat several years for a court judgement. Those years while good for the haves were a living hell for the have nots. Plus the great economy was based on massive tax cuts that fueled a apparent econmic boom,  what wasn't noticed was the huge deficits was causing interest rates to sky rocket eventually leading to the economic collapse during the first bush administration.  And don't blame the democrats for the spending, every year in office regans budget request was larger than democratic proposed budget.  Basically the good times were paid for by turning the budget into a huge credit card machine that when it finally collapsed wrecked the economy.  The boom of the Clinton years was caused by balanced budgets allowing interest rates to normalize.

[Charlie B53]

EVERY President has had flaws.  But that is part of being Human.  We get through it and Hopefully pass Legislation to amend those errors.

Never before have the Public Rioted in the streets over an American Presidential Election.   I wish I could go through the hoards of rioters asking "Did you Vote?"  If not, GO HOME, you failed to exercise your Right and Responsibility to Vote, you should have no Right to Protest.

No matter what Trump does during his term, we as a Nation will survive.  The Country will continue.

[Athena]

Very well said Charlie, I couldn't agree more with you. The massive collective hysteria that now exists over every word or deed by the new President Trump is beyond any measure of rational or sane. So far, he is working very hard to deliver on the promises he has made & he is working very hard towards this.

[MooseMom]

EVERY President has had flaws.  But that is part of being Human.  We get through it and Hopefully pass Legislation to amend those errors.

But some have more "flaws" than others. 

Never before have the Public Rioted in the streets over an American Presidential Election.   I wish I could go through the hoards of rioters asking "Did you Vote?"  If not, GO HOME, you failed to exercise your Right and Responsibility to Vote, you should have no Right to Protest.

"Riots" are not the same as First Amendment protected "protests".  Where have there been "hoards of rioters"?  While I agree that it is hypocritical to protest when you haven't voted, it is not illegal, nor does such inaction take away one's right to free speech and protest

No matter what Trump does during his term, we as a Nation will survive.  The Country will continue.

But in what form?  Only one week into Trump's presidency, and you are already talking about how every president has flaws and musing about the survival of the nation and the country's continuation.  That's very telling.

[MooseMom]

Very well said Charlie, I couldn't agree more with you. The massive collective hysteria that now exists over every word or deed by the new President Trump is beyond any measure of rational or sane. So far, he is working very hard to deliver on the promises he has made & he is working very hard towards this.

Does a King rule your little mystery country?  Methinks you do not remembereth the protestations wrought by Congress over the Obama Presidential Executive Orders.  Why doth Congress not protest now?  Dost thou not know, oh fair maiden of a far and distant land?

[MooseMom]

So much for "slowing down online". 

[kickingandscreaming]

No matter what Trump does during his term, we as a Nation will survive.  The Country will continue.

There are always "the Good Germans" who think that the authority can do no wrong and who wait until it's too late.

From this first disastrous week it is clear how easy it is to derail an entire nation.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.

[MooseMom]

I don't see Trump winning to be any more of a joke on America than when Ronald Reagan won.  I mean an ACTOR, as President?  And he turned out to be a very good President.   Either way, Trump is in the Oval Office, it is our Duty as Citizens to support him and give him a chance to do good.

All the Snowflakes continued whining will not change the person in the Oval Office.  Stop the whining and act like productive citizens instead of whining crybabies just because you didn't get your way.  How many of them even bothered to vote?

Many would disagree that Reagan was a good president. 

We've given Trump a chance to do good, but look what he has done just in one week.  Do you really want Steve Bannon sitting in on the highest national security discussions. because allowing him access is only one of several dreadful decisions Trump has made already.

He's already had to backtrack on his "muslim ban"; several Federal judges have had to step in and mitigate the damage.

The "snowflakes" are the ones who whimper that Trump should be given a "chance" and who choose to slip away when he issues orders that are clearly illegal.  The 'snowflakes" are the ones who accept the "alternate facts" rammed down our throats.  It is our duty to protect our country from enemies  both foreign and DOMESTIC.  You snowflakes can faff about online, defending this man who wants to make a businessman's profit instead of actually govern (with the help of buffoons like Bannon and DeVos, for God's sake), but the rest of us are going to be very watchful and will make every ludicrous decision he makes the impetus for his eventual humiliation and downfall.

He cares nothing about you.  He cares nothing about me.

Don't forget that he has not done one single thing with the support of Congress.  Then again, right now Congress resembles a blizzard.  Look at the Republican silence on the muslim ban just enacted by Trump.  Blizzard!

https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1hSGjyWJZIQJpGz4V2ftX_qioCgBtL59oJkkhx146nFE/htmlview?usp=sharing&sle=true

[Simon Dog]

The "snowflakes" are the ones who whimper that Trump should be given a "chance"

This is not a comment on Trump, but vocabulary and terminology.

"Snowflake" is a term used for people who will melt if their sensitivities are offended.  It was created to describe people who need a "trigger warning" before reading Huck Finn in class because the text uses the word "nigger"; those who need a safe space with puppies and teddie bears if their favored candidate does not win an election; who so fear disagreeing opinion that they demand speakers be disinvited or threaten violence is speakers they disagree with are allowed to speak on campus; who need a participation trophy even if they do not do well; etc.

So, I suppose a Trump supporter would rightfully be called a snowflake of (s)he needed a "trigger warning" before progressive dogma could be discussed in his/her presence, or if (s)he demanded a liberal thinker be banned from a public forum.

But, "snowflake" does not apply to any of the behavior you cited by Trumpians.

Now, does anyone know if the Cabot Arms Trump 45 (http://www.range365.com/trump-45-from-cabot-guns) is real or a photoshop job, and if the finish is really gold or if it's high polish physical vapor deposition Titanium Nitride?

[kristina]

No matter what Trump does during his term, we as a Nation will survive.  The Country will continue.

There are always "the Good Germans" who think that the authority can do no wrong and who wait until it's too late.

From this first disastrous week it is clear how easy it is to derail an entire nation.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.

[kristina]

No matter what Trump does during his term, we as a Nation will survive.  The Country will continue.

There are always "the Good Germans" who think that the authority can do no wrong and who wait until it's too late.

From this first disastrous week it is clear how easy it is to derail an entire nation.

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.

Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.

Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Martin Niemöller (1892–1984) was a prominent Protestant pastor who emerged as an outspoken public foe of Adolf Hitler and spent the last seven years of Nazi rule in concentration camps.

Many thanks kickingandscreaming for remembering Martin Niemöller's quotation:

First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist,
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

[Bill Peckham]

Here are all of President Obama's Executive orders from 2009: https://www.archives.gov/federal-register/executive-orders/2009-obama.html

Here are links (all links PDFs) to the four Executive orders signed by President Trump:

• Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements -- January 25
• Enhancing Public Safety in the Interior of the United States -- January 25
• Expediting Environmental Reviews and Approvals for High Priority Infrastructure Projects -- January 24
• Minimizing the Economic Burden of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act Pending Repeal -- January 20

Compare any of Obama's Executive orders with any of Trump's, the contrast is stark. For instance Obama's Executive order on Ensuring Lawful Interrogation didn't immediately close CIA black sites leaving dazed and disheveled detainees wandering countrysides across the world. Nor did Obam's Review and Disposition of Individuals Detained at the Guantanamo Bay Naval Base and Close of Detention Facilities suddenly result  in hundreds of the worst of worst left to wander a beach in Cuba. Obama's Executive Orders signaled a direction and started a process. As opposed to Trump's Border Security and Immigration Enforcement Improvements Executive Order which has caused confusion throughout the US departments tasked with boarder security and it has stranded thousands of people across the world that have planted their roots in the US. Trump's order is causing chaos in the lives of US permanent residents. What is a permanent resident? This post from National Review the Corner explains it well:

Green card holders are not citizens — depending on the card and how it was obtained, that honor comes three or five years later. But they’re not bog-standard visa-holders either. Unlike, say, H1B-carriers, permanent residents are expected to live in America by default, and are in fact penalized if they don’t. By law and by expectation, this country is their home; their base; the ground in which their roots are planted. Because of this, permanent residents are able to purchase, own, and carry firearms; they are required to register with the selective service; and they are treated for tax and welfare purposes as are U.S. citizens. They can’t vote or serve on a jury, but, other than, they effectively enjoy all the liberties that natural born Americans enjoy. When they re-enter the country, the agent says “Welcome Home,” which is a big change from their visa days. They are not Americans, and they mustn’t pretend to be. But they are as close as one can get without being one.

Why are there protests right now? As opposed to the "honeymoon" every other President's received in their first week (or month(s))? The protests are a response to the Imperious orders of the Trump administration that has left friends and neighbors, Colleagues and Classmates stranded across the world. There are protests right now because people legally in the US, people who have made a decision to make their lives here in the US have had their freedom to travel taken away from them capriciously and without, it seems, any regard for the consequences. It is the difference between demanding an immediate outcome (Trump) and beginning a deliberative process that will chart a new direction (every other President).

[MooseMom]

^^^^^^this^^^^^^^

[MooseMom]

The "snowflakes" are the ones who whimper that Trump should be given a "chance"

This is not a comment on Trump, but vocabulary and terminology.

"Snowflake" is a term used for people who will melt if their sensitivities are offended.  It was created to describe people who need a "trigger warning" before reading Huck Finn in class because the text uses the word "nigger"; those who need a safe space with puppies and teddie bears if their favored candidate does not win an election; who so fear disagreeing opinion that they demand speakers be disinvited or threaten violence is speakers they disagree with are allowed to speak on campus; who need a participation trophy even if they do not do well; etc.

So, I suppose a Trump supporter would rightfully be called a snowflake of (s)he needed a "trigger warning" before progressive dogma could be discussed in his/her presence, or if (s)he demanded a liberal thinker be banned from a public forum.

But, "snowflake" does not apply to any of the behavior you cited by Trumpians.

Now, does anyone know if the Cabot Arms Trump 45 (http://www.range365.com/trump-45-from-cabot-guns) is real or a photoshop job, and if the finish is really gold or if it's high polish physical vapor deposition Titanium Nitride?

"Snowflake" now is used for Trumpians who melt away when their hero causes world condemnation and chaos.

That said, I know what "snowflake" means.  I'm just using the same "melting" analogy to mean something different. 

Why are we so afraid of Syrian refugees?  They are fleeing the very same terrorists that we fear so much.  We are banning people from countries whose citizens have NOT ONCE killed an American on US soil.  But letting in Saudis is OK.  Why do you think THAT is?  They're responsible for 9/11, for goodness sake. 

We're just all frightened little snowflakes, so tender, so delicate, so vewy vewy afwaid.

That's what happens when Steve Bannon and Reince Priebus are put on the NSC to the exclusion of two other experienced people.  That's just incredible.  Just absolutely incredible.

[Simon Dog]

"Snowflake" now is used for Trumpians who melt away when their hero causes world condemnation and chaos.

That said, I know what "snowflake" means.  I'm just using the same "melting" analogy to mean something different. 

The term was coined due to the need for "trigger warnings", "safe spaces", etc.  Do Trumpians require any of those things to protect them from melting?

[kickingandscreaming]

Do Trumpians require any of those things to protect them from melting?

I don't know about "melting," but Trumpian snowflakes seem to be a lot better at dishing out insults and attacks than they are at receiving them with grace.  Such delicate flowers er snowflakes.

[MooseMom]

Simon Dog, I readily admit that the whole "trigger warnings" and "safe place" phenomenon (I've heard of these concepts but never actually witnessed them) are daft.  I have heard of instances where university students demanded the withdrawal of a speaker with whom they did not agree.  Universities are for learning and for being exposed to new ideas.  So, I grant you that.

But now I am wondering who new snowflakes are.

I have to tell you that when I heard that Trump is banning the entry of Syrian refugees, my heart broke.  Those people have been through things that you and I could never imagine.  Trump is all for bombing the hell out of that country but doesn't have one ounce of Christian compassion for the victims of terror.  Instead, he is succeeding in scaring too many Americans; his fear mongering is working, so who are the snowflakes now? 

Why are we no longer the "home of the brave".  It disgusts me, it truly does.  We think of our nation as being exceptional.  Trump PROMISED us that he alone would and could restore the respect of nations.  But there have been WORLDWIDE protests against him.  He has made this country look like the Land of Tyrants, and I am deeply ashamed.  Banning terrified refugees does NOT "MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN",  and it certainly does not make "AMERICA FIRST". 

Trump thinks we are all "snowflakes", running around trying to find "safe places" to hide from war-shocked and victimized refugee famiies from Syria.

But Trump is wrong.  We are NOT all snowflakes.

http://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/01/27/511795672/syria-supper-club-reaching-out-to-refugees-one-dinner-at-a-time