Social media seems to have a way of pushing dialogue to extremes and surfacing the edge cases. I remember feeling compelled to send stronger and more righteous signals into the abyss. I remember feeling the need to out-perform my previous display of extreme morality. I remember feeling that I must prove to the world, to the nameless and faceless audience, that my opinion was virtuous. I remember feeling time is of the essence and a great sense of urgency. I remember feeling a great sense of duty – that I – and I alone – held the keys to unlock the next movement.

Everyone was watching.

There was no time to lose.

I must deliver.

I must perform.

This.

This feeling.

This moment.

This – is egotistical.

~Kris Nóva in https://krisnova.net/posts/ego-death/.

I think her perspective is driven by a loss of hope and should be handled carefully. I also think that the quote here strikes the core of my feelings and possibly even wider culture.

I am currently thinking about what we do from here. And it is not easy. Suggesting collective/collaborative approaches can easily come across as an incredibly high barrier (it is one for me, given social anxiety); the act of crossing the barrier can appear to the individual as taking on ultimate unbearable responsibility.

My best bet atm is to equip everyone with poststructural hammers, structural glue and a basis of trust. Find the things that cause you harm. But don’t destroy them; instead introspect them and adjust them. The last act requires composure. I cannot think of another way of going on without making everything even worse right now, input is as always welcome.