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jfengel | on: TikTok goes dark in the US
Remember that Americans are already at each other's throats. Half the country is literally terrified about what will happen tomorrow. The other half of the country is ecstatic. For at least some of them, they are looking forward to doing exactly what the other half fears. The rest are relieved that they will not have to undergo the terrors and tribulations of the last four years.

The country is constantly on a knife edge. It takes only a tiny shift to cause a radical change in the power structure, and good reason to think that power structure will be used against you.

It is indeed remarkable that the country has achieved anything at all when it spends so much time cowering. Nor is that new, but modern media seem to give it more immediacy.

jumpman500 | parent | next
There was only 64% election turnout in 2024. People are not as politically radicalized and polarized as media companies say to increase engagement. Some people are, but the problem is being exaggerated for clicks and views.
consteval | root | parent
> People are not as politically radicalized and polarized as media companies say to increase engagement

I disagree based purely off of my own life and experiences. The shift rightward over the past 10 years is palpable. It's not surprising historically at all - the US has always been composed of almost entirely conservative, individualistic attitudes and then little pockets of progressiveness here and there. They never last, rather the hope is just to get as much done as fast as possible in that time frame.

Certainly, policy that would be unthinkable 15 years ago is par for the course now. I think that's just undeniable, and speaks to the radicalization of the US.

cpursley | parent | next
I'm guessing that you live on one of the coasts and mostly associate with certain classes of people? In the real world, people are not at each others throats. They're mostly interested in talking about their kids, the price of milk, sportsball and debating the best way to prepare briquet.

Take a deep breath, we're all gonna be okay.

jfengel | root | parent | next
I take it you don't know any trans people, gay people, or those whose lives depend on government services.

While you are preparing brisket they are expecting to lose rights and have friends taken away. For them it is not going to be ok.

cpursley | root | parent
My comments just went right over your head. Didn't comprehend a word I wrote. It honestly makes me sad.

Everything will be okay, nobody is losing their rights. Try getting out of California/NYC some time.

rUsHeYaFuBu | root | parent
People have lost rights/freedoms over the course of the last 8 years though.
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gond | root | parent | next
Interesting that you think to have the authority to tell others what “the real world” actually is. That doesn’t seem to work.

Maybe you should try to get out of the technofacist mindset?

rpearl | root | parent
It is day one and trans people can no longer get a federal id matching how they look.

Fuck right off about "gonna be okay", asshole.

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