Curated (Censored) Content

The current state of our internet is rampant censorship & a distinct lack of protected free speech without being ostracized (or deplatformed). Many news outlets or social media platforms only allow you to view curated content and shadowban content they deem wrongthink. This isn't just about politics - it's about everything.

Unfortunately, we have to develop a split between our authentic self and an online persona. Out of fear of losing our jobs, or relationships with friends & family, we censor ourselves. This is not healthy.

Living in fear isn't healthy. Faking compliance with whatever is trending on twitter so you don't get 'cancelled' isn't healthy.

We have the right to speak our minds. We have the right to an opinion. Things aren't always in black & white. You are allowed to have varying opinions that can change over time. We are human. It should be normal to think for yourself instead of parroting whatever you saw on the news. It should also be normal to be able to keep some neutrality or dignity (class?) and not demonize people who disagree with your opinions.

To some degree, it's just human nature to attack each other and form tribes. But your governments and the corporate entities that run those governments are taking advantage of this. Rise above that shit. Stop attacking each other and turn the focus on these assholes dividing us and wrecking our world.

20 years ago, I didn't think much about privacy. Things have changed drastically online. People used to be more relaxed and willing to have honest discussions (even friendly debates or banter) on the internet. Now, it's a fake, hostile, echo chamber full of narcissists and social justice virtue signaling.

The few people that are bold enough to stand up for themselves are made targets. They are doxxed, and people try to ruin their lives by getting them fired from their jobs, or slandering them in some way.

So, here we are in #currentyear - vulnerable and frustrated.

But I'm not ashamed of who I am. Offline or Online. And I wish I didn't have to split myself into different personas to participate on the internet. It's gotten harder and harder to enjoy the internet, to be honest. With all the division and hostility. And the fear of having to censor yourself.

IMO, the web should be open. I like to learn and read everything I can about topics I might not have been able to research otherwise. The internet is a great place to find creative inspiration. I like reading what other people have written in their blogs, or on forums. The internet challenges me to think in different ways, and be more open to ideas I may not have considered before.

Everyone talks about tolerance, but it has to be universal or it's just more hypocrisy. We're all human. Compassion has to be for everyone, or your tolerance narrative doesn't work.

Everyone has different opinions, or beliefs, and there is no one right way. People being offended (and sometimes violent) over every little joke, or opinion is ruining our internet. and our world.