This is such an incredibly empowering read - thank you so much for writing it. In particular, I want to handwrite this on a piece of paper and place it somewhere where I'll see it everyday - to remind myself when it feels difficult to remember:
Being sad about the world, yet doing nothing about it? That’s over. Endlessly pinpointing the bad things happening yet never offering alternatives or next steps? That’s done too. Doomscrolling for hours and falling down algorithmic blackholes? That’s politically useless, but also spiritually and intellectually deflating. People need to be resilient and interconnected, not weak and atomized. There is nothing beautiful, noble, or transgressive about rotting one’s brain, especially at a moment when liberal democracy is crumbling.
Lastly, I think that everyone should start asking themselves one of the best questions ever put forward in politics; ‘What is to be done?’5 If you’re lonely, then how do you discover connection? If you’re angry, how do you channel that rage into productive action? If you’re feeling weak and disempowered, then what must you do to gain strength and empowerment? These can be personal questions with answers differing for each person. But I also don’t think that people should have to discover ‘what is to be done’ alone. If you want answers, watch the people who are already doing beautiful and powerful things. I can think of no better example of this than the global movement against the genocide in Palestine.
This is such an incredibly empowering read - thank you so much for writing it. In particular, I want to handwrite this on a piece of paper and place it somewhere where I'll see it everyday - to remind myself when it feels difficult to remember:
Being sad about the world, yet doing nothing about it? That’s over. Endlessly pinpointing the bad things happening yet never offering alternatives or next steps? That’s done too. Doomscrolling for hours and falling down algorithmic blackholes? That’s politically useless, but also spiritually and intellectually deflating. People need to be resilient and interconnected, not weak and atomized. There is nothing beautiful, noble, or transgressive about rotting one’s brain, especially at a moment when liberal democracy is crumbling.
Lastly, I think that everyone should start asking themselves one of the best questions ever put forward in politics; ‘What is to be done?’5 If you’re lonely, then how do you discover connection? If you’re angry, how do you channel that rage into productive action? If you’re feeling weak and disempowered, then what must you do to gain strength and empowerment? These can be personal questions with answers differing for each person. But I also don’t think that people should have to discover ‘what is to be done’ alone. If you want answers, watch the people who are already doing beautiful and powerful things. I can think of no better example of this than the global movement against the genocide in Palestine.
Kelly this is so lovely, thanks so much for telling me! I'm glad that this piece could be helpful in some way :)
I love the almost flow of consciousness format of your writing! It is so obviously *you* but so emotive and striking at the same time.
aww thank you!! I'm excited to read my new Martha's Monthly this afternoon... :)
would definitely read a piece on Ezra 👀
uh oh, you're the third person who has told me this! maybe it will finally happen then
I want your take on the Abundance boys so bad!
you want me to be miserable, I see!!
sad boi at heart
Re footnote 3: new Paul Thomas Anderson movie has a model…
ahhh, NOW i see the alternative strategy...
interesting... i need to go see that this week!!
For enough money I'd read Abundance, too, but I'd rather read about other people reading it 🤓