On propaganda, I guess

I didn't have any relevant art for this story, but I do feel this is at least a little relevant.

The Republicans didn't, and still don't, succeed on the merits. They've succeeded because they have created an alternate reality to live in alongside the rest of us. When the more liberal side of the capitalist class saw how much money was being made by right-leaning publications and sectors of the media, they took it as a sign of success.

It was not a sign of success. It was a sign of oligarchs with their thumb on the scale. Rush Limbaugh was not a best-selling author. Ted Cruz isn't, either. It's all smoke and mirrors, lies by those with money to throw around to push policy that gives them even more money to hoard, while the rest of us fear for the lives of those close to us. As a white man, I'm under no delusion that I'm in true danger. I fear more for my non-white friends, and my queer and transgender friends.

My pitch for Democrats, or non-political folks who just want things to return to normal, is to remove yourself from the sections of society that are so heavily influenced by the right wing. Get off Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok. They are not benefitting you and as of now, they truly only serve AI slop meant to turn your brain into mush.

Turn the television off. Stay off Fox News and CNN and MSNBC and all these places where they serve rage to make sure you stay tuned in for the next Ozempic commercial. Cancel your subscriptions to national news outlets like the New York Times and the Washington Post in favor of subscriptions for places like 404 Media. Even the Tribune Company-owned Los Angeles Times and Chicago Tribune do a better job of portraying a reality if internet-first publications aren't desired.

Embrace the segments of society where resistance has become the expectation: Musicians haven't suddenly all become Trump supporters. Most Americans still have access to a public library full of these things called books. Pressure sports leagues like the NBA, NFL and MLB into keeping their Pride Nights because that's one of the few areas where Rainbow Capitalism actually seems to have made a real difference.

Embrace the folks who wear their resistance on their sleeves, like the MLB players who chose to celebrate pride month despite the atmosphere or people like Brody King, who decided to wear an "Abolish ICE" t-shirt on live television even though his free speech could get him backlash.

There are people out there attempting to make a difference. It's up to us to find them, though: The algorithms will not feed them to you.