2025 smelling like 1984

2025 smelling like 1984: It’s been a while since I’ve done one of these posts with snippets of thoughts as they arise. Many get posted on social media first. Given the current political reality I’ve mostly been adjusting and hoping the contemplation comes to some fruition as I allow the acclimation process. So, really, I’ve not been writing much lately.

I have begun to collect these kind of posts to do a small book. I’ll publish the collection here as well once it’s done. There are SO many. Many are lost among the over 5000 posts on this site! It will happen as it does.

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Today’s collection: 2025 smelling like 1984

stop enforcing rules around language and start listening to people. it’s impossible to keep up with all the changes for people who aren’t in the circles where the changes to language are being made. LISTEN TO PEOPLE. Ask respectful questions. They have a different lived experience than you do. Feel where their hearts are and proceed. If you get hung up on a word that holds a different connotation for the both of you that’s on you.

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We are our parents. We are our families. It’s misguided to think we can get away from our families even if we need, want or get physical distance. We remain a product of our family. What we can do is improve upon the last generation and heal with our ancestors who are there in our DNA and microbiome wanting to assist us via instinct and intuition. Our families, like it or not will be right there with us. We share history, microbiome, DNA and common trauma with them. Awareness relies on the human drama of our relationships, whether they are active or not. Certain themes will be re enacted whether we want it or not …. until awareness comes.

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It’s not unreasonable or unwarranted fear if the risk is real. Understanding reality means embracing a negative position against policies that harm. This is why demonizing “negativity” is the real toxic behavior. Those who shame you for having legitimate fear are not dealing with reality.

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living here in a MAGA state surrounded by ordinary and often otherwise kind folks, I can’t help but often think of what to do about the banality of evil.

The concept of the “banality of evil” was coined by Hannah Arendt, and it describes how ordinary people can participate in horrific acts without necessarily being inherently evil or malicious. It points to how evil can stem from thoughtlessness, conformity, and a lack of critical thinking.

The concept challenges the idea that evil is always the result of monstrous individuals with malicious intent. She argues that many who participate in evil acts are, in fact, quite ordinary, even banal, in their motivations and behavior.

this has been my experience here, for sure and it’s far more unsettling and disturbing than just dismissing everyone as inherently evil and hateful

Individuals are complicit in evil systems by simply following orders, adhering to group norms, or failing to question authority. They may not have strong personal convictions, but rather a lack of critical thinking.

Those perpetrating evil, in this sense, may not fully grasp the consequences of their actions. More importantly the do not empathize with the victims.

Empathy deficits kill.

They are likely detached from the moral implications of their support focusing personal advancement.

“positive thinkers” are often guilty here! I’m talking about aggressive positive thinking. . … that’s the issue with the folks I otherwise can like it seems… and they’re highly conditioned to be that way around here. Everyone is. Regardless of religion or whatever. It’s awful… and it runs really deep culturally. It’s blind spiritual bypass on a cultural wide level.

here many people see this as necessary upheaval before great change. the stories (myths) attached to the great change vary by religious affiliation or lack thereof…but they still have the core belief that it’s all for the good.

A few years ago I watched the film Hanna Arendt … it was a very good film. I highly recommend it.

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On staying sane in a suicidal culture. Trump is now actively pushing for locking up and not only pathologizing but criminalizing more and more people.

…he’s actively pushing, forced treatment and confinement for those with psychiatric labels now. Concentration camps and murder for everyone he doesn’t like. Getting locked up in asylum is the same as murder if you weren’t clear. This is how it went in Germany too. If you weren’t worried about immigrants, natives and people of color, start worrying now. We’re all in this together. We care about everyone or we care about no one.

it never left us…it’s always been part of psychiatry. SEE: Eugenics history of psychiatry

• see also: The Worst Part of Trump’s Order to Boost Civil Commitment
• America is Legislating a Return to the Asylum, One Policy at a Time

I see young people saying stuff I said 5, 10 and 20 years ago. When I said it, nobody paid attention. These young folks get lots of attention and sharing of posts. I, in my old age, have become invisible. I no longer have the rhythm of social media in me. Nor do I want it. And so I watch bemused. Sometimes watching and allowing are all we can do as we figure out the next chapter.

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when there is nothing left to scream from your social media pulpit, it might just be clarity. in decisive moments you will respond rather than react. Let it be.

See also:

• Social murder: navigating privilege and harm 2025 smelling like 1984
• Give those without a home an apartment first, ask questions later.

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