Ivana, I truly appreciate your post and hope that people of all backgrounds read it. I do have to wonder, however, (while falling squarely into chapter 4 of your outline) why is it only right-leaning folks who are having this nuanced conversation about all the points you made? My daily interactions are primarily with leftists in Europe and North America, but I find it’s only conservatives who are able to talk about this topic with presence, awareness, and concern. Anyone else immediately dismisses these ideas as conspiracy theories or just launches into that self-righteous rage.
You nailed something I see (and feel) constantly — and it’s not just frustrating, it’s tragic.
The very people who used to question power, war, censorship, corporate overreach, and propaganda have somehow become its most loyal foot soldiers. What used to be the left's territory — critical thinking, skepticism of authority, standing up for the little guy — got swallowed by tribalism and a weird need to appear morally pure at all times.
Meanwhile, the so-called “conspiracies” we were mocked for questioning turn out to be real — and it’s the right, of all people, who stayed curious, alert, and unafraid to say the emperor is butt naked.
I don’t think the ability to engage with nuance should be partisan, but sadly, it’s become rare — especially among those who still believe they hold the moral high ground by default. And that moral superiority is often just a shield to avoid facing cognitive dissonance.
So yeah… you're not alone in that observation. And I’m glad you brought it up — because if we don’t talk across those lines, nothing ever changes.
Spot on... per usual. Here in AZ the land of sunny today with a chance of hot, the local news is mostly hour by hour weather, 10 top names for puppies, review of the latest bar and/or restaurant, latest social events, and hey we looked real hard and found someone somewhere that is being hurt by Trump's policies. More on that later, here are 5 new ads for drugs with neat sounding names.
Sounds like a perfect recipe for distraction disguised as news — fluff where it’s safe, a pinch of controversy to keep you hooked, and a steady stream of pharma pitches to keep the money flowing. Classic media formula in full effect. Appreciate you sharing that local flavor — it really shows how deep the problem runs. Stay aware!
Very good post once again. I have noticed I don’t read books any more, I just scroll. This is really getting scary as we become brainwashed. The answer to this manipulation needs to start with me. Thank you.
Ivana, I truly appreciate your post and hope that people of all backgrounds read it. I do have to wonder, however, (while falling squarely into chapter 4 of your outline) why is it only right-leaning folks who are having this nuanced conversation about all the points you made? My daily interactions are primarily with leftists in Europe and North America, but I find it’s only conservatives who are able to talk about this topic with presence, awareness, and concern. Anyone else immediately dismisses these ideas as conspiracy theories or just launches into that self-righteous rage.
Hey Maya,
You nailed something I see (and feel) constantly — and it’s not just frustrating, it’s tragic.
The very people who used to question power, war, censorship, corporate overreach, and propaganda have somehow become its most loyal foot soldiers. What used to be the left's territory — critical thinking, skepticism of authority, standing up for the little guy — got swallowed by tribalism and a weird need to appear morally pure at all times.
Meanwhile, the so-called “conspiracies” we were mocked for questioning turn out to be real — and it’s the right, of all people, who stayed curious, alert, and unafraid to say the emperor is butt naked.
I don’t think the ability to engage with nuance should be partisan, but sadly, it’s become rare — especially among those who still believe they hold the moral high ground by default. And that moral superiority is often just a shield to avoid facing cognitive dissonance.
So yeah… you're not alone in that observation. And I’m glad you brought it up — because if we don’t talk across those lines, nothing ever changes.
Stay awake,
Ivana
Spot on... per usual. Here in AZ the land of sunny today with a chance of hot, the local news is mostly hour by hour weather, 10 top names for puppies, review of the latest bar and/or restaurant, latest social events, and hey we looked real hard and found someone somewhere that is being hurt by Trump's policies. More on that later, here are 5 new ads for drugs with neat sounding names.
Sounds like a perfect recipe for distraction disguised as news — fluff where it’s safe, a pinch of controversy to keep you hooked, and a steady stream of pharma pitches to keep the money flowing. Classic media formula in full effect. Appreciate you sharing that local flavor — it really shows how deep the problem runs. Stay aware!
@Ivana
I don't know to whom you are addressing this essay. Not to me. I am 98% full of don't-give-a-fucks.
That 2% full of give-a-fucks drives me
to your Substacks,
to The Organic Prepper,
to Fact Based Prepping - JM,
to the Lew Rockwell site,
to Through the Looking Glass,
to The Profound Autism Mom,
to Naomi Wolf's Substacks,
to On the Banks,
to C J Hopkins,
to the Future of Freedom site,
to Normal Island News,
to Brownstone,
and more, none of which have ads or nudges. I get most news on these sites.
On television, that 2% give-a-fucks drives me to
renovation shows on Magnolia Network,
game shows on Gameshow Network, (and Price is Right on CBS)
animal documentaries on whatever channel they appear (I filter out the climate threat shit)
movies on different channels
Discovery Channel programs
all of which have commercial ads that I ignore.
I don't watch news shows, sports events, award shows, or just about anything not listed above.
On Facebook, that 2% give-a-fucks drives me to
West Coast Swing dance videos.
guitar posts
Sportster posts
Harley-Davidson posts
motorcyclist posts
list-friend posts
local community posts
prepper posts
I delete ads and non-listed posts as I encounter them.
Anyway, thank you for this essay, even though I doubt that it applies to me.
Very good post once again. I have noticed I don’t read books any more, I just scroll. This is really getting scary as we become brainwashed. The answer to this manipulation needs to start with me. Thank you.