I became a reporter because I wanted to understand people different from me. Then I gave in to a culture that tells us to reduce others. One day, my friend called me out
Anand, you are a thoughtful, caring, courageous human being, who has always encouraged others to think deeper, beyond what they're seeing and hearing in front of their face! I don't know many or any others who would have been capable of sustaining the physical and emotional toll this project took, so thank you from the rest of us for doing it. I look forward to my signed edition. Jan
"Democracy requires an ability to look into the hearts of those you share space with. If we continue to be addicted to caricatures of each other, we will continued to be ruled by political caricature artists, those with a gift for exaggerating our worst features and sorting us into lucrative Uses and Thems."
I'd like to ask you to read my piece based on your posting yesterday's 2025 interview you did with Dr. El-Sayed: https://carolsmaldinolcsw.substack.com/p/what-if-radical-empathy-begins-at, "Why Radical Empathy Begins at Home." I was inspired by the interview, and then when I began to apply it to myself, I found my own resistance, my own fear and aggression. I began to feel that there is no radical empathy until we hold space for our own resistances, our less-than-empathic responses. This becomes empathy for ourselves, one that allows us to evolve and not stay stultified or fake. We can only evolve if we allow ourselves to see where we are at the present moment.
So, let's work together on this. Let's help each other find a way to process what it would take for us to move from our righteousness or our fear, or both.
Glad that you are continuing to pursue this journey of life. I, too, believe it's more than Trump that's the problem. And I realized that these past several years that I only journaled sporadically now, robbing myself of contemplation time, and instead was filling up too many hours of listening to or reading political commentary. I do think we are in a serious crisis, and the need for action is great. But we can become numb by repetitive information. I am recently retired, but had run a nonprofit that worked with homeless and people at risk. I'm glad you had a chance to explore all of the sides of this issue. It's complicated, and we have a tendency to disregard there is great truth in Hillary Clinton's statement "it takes a village." Until we realize we have responsibility for the community we create, I fear we will continue to have a culture like today's. I look forward to reading your book. And don't be too harsh on yourself; even as a pundit you brought forward truths that people hadn't considered.
I'm sorry. You're asking oppressed people (Black people, Brown people, Trans people, LGBTQ+ people, women) to somehow find it in OUR hearts to find the one thing our oppressors lack: an iota of compassion or any kind of understanding that it is OK to be different. It's like asking people who believe in democracy to find common ground with fascists. I'll pass, thanks. Yes, the culture is toxic. And we know who are the people who need to fix themselves.
I know why people are racist, misogynistic and or bigoted. I do not have to like it or them.
If someone has a poor stance and they can be reached certainly we can and should try. That effort is not easy and takes great patience and understanding many lack. Myself included.
Our media is giving such people a platform. It is normalizing it.
The best response is to not accept it and to stand up to it.
I canceled Paramount. I canceled my cable package that gave my money to Fox News.
We can boycott.
Women can leave Red States. Not vacation there. Refuse to buy from companies located in Red states.
Canada stopped buying our booze and vacationing here. It had and is having an effect.
A small minority that is very organized and vocal is ruining America.
We do all need each other. That was the point of the Federalist Papers.
The ignorant are loud but need to be shouted out.
Shamed.
Exposed.
Appeasement will not work. They thrive in such an environment.
As many also struggle with the same questions that you have addressed have myself also have as well. The issue though becomes that throughout history that is well documented is those who engaged in authoritarian or fascism did not engage in any introspection. They never saw any behaviors or actions as wrong or against any moral standards. They weren’t ever in error as to what doctrine, policies or agenda that they wanted to implement. Those on the other hand will be introspective which on occasion leaves them more vulnerable to attack or even worse. Humankind is a complex species. Some may say that our intelligence, our ability to say that we are at the top of the pyramid of all species may get in our way and destroy the planet we all exist on. Believe they are correct. It just sometimes appears that those who could never admit their errors, their way of thinking, those who have no introspection are the ones clawing to be at the tippy top of that pyramid.
I struggle with the same questions and have written about it. One problem is that this kind of introspection is unilateral. Those who oppose authoritarianism engage in it; those who support authoritarianism do not.
“If we continue to be addicted to caricatures of each other, we will continued to be ruled by political caricature artists, those with a gift for exaggerating our worst features and sorting us into lucrative Uses and Thems.” A brilliant statement!
I make every effort to retain relationships with my MAGA friends because by listening to their world view, I can continue to challenge, grow and extend basic human dignity to all my neighbors. I reserve judgment for truly bad individuals, not a collective of politically different groups. It’s a sort of forgiveness since it gives me greater peace and perhaps grace in navigating through often painful times.
Or an investigative journalist? Someone that values facts and objective truth?
Or is this for entertainment?
Today many are just looking for clicks or ratings. Yet they call themselves both.
The world doesn't need the ignorant ramblings of any reporter in subjects they know nothing about. Reporters need to cite experts and knowledge.
So cite experts on propaganda, strongman populist leaders, group think, and social psychology.
Why are humans tribal? Why do humans fall for authoritarian liars?
Why are humans conservative or liberal mInded?
Might be too complex for 85% of humans. It won't be popular so unlikely profitable.
Lastly. Some are taught that there are two sides and that being a reporter means giving their audience both view points.
First. There are never just two sides. Life is more complex.
Second. There are objective facts and objective truths. Then there are lies. Conflating those two is a huge fail most of our media is making today.
When people debate liars they give them a free platform. Their lies get repeated often. Many hear the lies and accept them and once that happens factchecking is of no use.
So do not platform the liars. Do not repeat their lies.
If you do it must be done correctly.
The following is a lie by ... he said ... this is the truth.... tell facts. Then again say the original claim was a lie without repeating it
I dream of the day when an honest reporter asks a question. The politician lies. The reporter then calls them a liar and exposes them. Then says they are not worthy of the office. Then moves on to an honest person.
Sadly there are more dishonest reporters. Those interested in soundbites and ratings. Not objective facts.
I know our media has never been honest. Yellow journalism is an old saying.
America has always had huge social issues. What we call White Christian Nationalism today was common for most of our nation's history.
Keep evolving. Admit your mistakes.
Report objective facts and truths and you will always be correct.
Anand, you are a thoughtful, caring, courageous human being, who has always encouraged others to think deeper, beyond what they're seeing and hearing in front of their face! I don't know many or any others who would have been capable of sustaining the physical and emotional toll this project took, so thank you from the rest of us for doing it. I look forward to my signed edition. Jan
Aww thank you, Jan. That means the world to me
"Democracy requires an ability to look into the hearts of those you share space with. If we continue to be addicted to caricatures of each other, we will continued to be ruled by political caricature artists, those with a gift for exaggerating our worst features and sorting us into lucrative Uses and Thems."
I'd like to ask you to read my piece based on your posting yesterday's 2025 interview you did with Dr. El-Sayed: https://carolsmaldinolcsw.substack.com/p/what-if-radical-empathy-begins-at, "Why Radical Empathy Begins at Home." I was inspired by the interview, and then when I began to apply it to myself, I found my own resistance, my own fear and aggression. I began to feel that there is no radical empathy until we hold space for our own resistances, our less-than-empathic responses. This becomes empathy for ourselves, one that allows us to evolve and not stay stultified or fake. We can only evolve if we allow ourselves to see where we are at the present moment.
So, let's work together on this. Let's help each other find a way to process what it would take for us to move from our righteousness or our fear, or both.
And thank you.
Glad that you are continuing to pursue this journey of life. I, too, believe it's more than Trump that's the problem. And I realized that these past several years that I only journaled sporadically now, robbing myself of contemplation time, and instead was filling up too many hours of listening to or reading political commentary. I do think we are in a serious crisis, and the need for action is great. But we can become numb by repetitive information. I am recently retired, but had run a nonprofit that worked with homeless and people at risk. I'm glad you had a chance to explore all of the sides of this issue. It's complicated, and we have a tendency to disregard there is great truth in Hillary Clinton's statement "it takes a village." Until we realize we have responsibility for the community we create, I fear we will continue to have a culture like today's. I look forward to reading your book. And don't be too harsh on yourself; even as a pundit you brought forward truths that people hadn't considered.
I'm sorry. You're asking oppressed people (Black people, Brown people, Trans people, LGBTQ+ people, women) to somehow find it in OUR hearts to find the one thing our oppressors lack: an iota of compassion or any kind of understanding that it is OK to be different. It's like asking people who believe in democracy to find common ground with fascists. I'll pass, thanks. Yes, the culture is toxic. And we know who are the people who need to fix themselves.
Exactly.
I know why people are racist, misogynistic and or bigoted. I do not have to like it or them.
If someone has a poor stance and they can be reached certainly we can and should try. That effort is not easy and takes great patience and understanding many lack. Myself included.
Our media is giving such people a platform. It is normalizing it.
The best response is to not accept it and to stand up to it.
I canceled Paramount. I canceled my cable package that gave my money to Fox News.
We can boycott.
Women can leave Red States. Not vacation there. Refuse to buy from companies located in Red states.
Canada stopped buying our booze and vacationing here. It had and is having an effect.
A small minority that is very organized and vocal is ruining America.
We do all need each other. That was the point of the Federalist Papers.
The ignorant are loud but need to be shouted out.
Shamed.
Exposed.
Appeasement will not work. They thrive in such an environment.
Love Anand, but 1,000% this.
As many also struggle with the same questions that you have addressed have myself also have as well. The issue though becomes that throughout history that is well documented is those who engaged in authoritarian or fascism did not engage in any introspection. They never saw any behaviors or actions as wrong or against any moral standards. They weren’t ever in error as to what doctrine, policies or agenda that they wanted to implement. Those on the other hand will be introspective which on occasion leaves them more vulnerable to attack or even worse. Humankind is a complex species. Some may say that our intelligence, our ability to say that we are at the top of the pyramid of all species may get in our way and destroy the planet we all exist on. Believe they are correct. It just sometimes appears that those who could never admit their errors, their way of thinking, those who have no introspection are the ones clawing to be at the tippy top of that pyramid.
Anand, you already have a heart of gold.
I’m not sure humanizing or empathizing with maga is necessary. Less so the ahole.
I struggle with the same questions and have written about it. One problem is that this kind of introspection is unilateral. Those who oppose authoritarianism engage in it; those who support authoritarianism do not.
“If we continue to be addicted to caricatures of each other, we will continued to be ruled by political caricature artists, those with a gift for exaggerating our worst features and sorting us into lucrative Uses and Thems.” A brilliant statement!
I make every effort to retain relationships with my MAGA friends because by listening to their world view, I can continue to challenge, grow and extend basic human dignity to all my neighbors. I reserve judgment for truly bad individuals, not a collective of politically different groups. It’s a sort of forgiveness since it gives me greater peace and perhaps grace in navigating through often painful times.
Are you a reporter? Someone that records events?
Or an investigative journalist? Someone that values facts and objective truth?
Or is this for entertainment?
Today many are just looking for clicks or ratings. Yet they call themselves both.
The world doesn't need the ignorant ramblings of any reporter in subjects they know nothing about. Reporters need to cite experts and knowledge.
So cite experts on propaganda, strongman populist leaders, group think, and social psychology.
Why are humans tribal? Why do humans fall for authoritarian liars?
Why are humans conservative or liberal mInded?
Might be too complex for 85% of humans. It won't be popular so unlikely profitable.
Lastly. Some are taught that there are two sides and that being a reporter means giving their audience both view points.
First. There are never just two sides. Life is more complex.
Second. There are objective facts and objective truths. Then there are lies. Conflating those two is a huge fail most of our media is making today.
When people debate liars they give them a free platform. Their lies get repeated often. Many hear the lies and accept them and once that happens factchecking is of no use.
So do not platform the liars. Do not repeat their lies.
If you do it must be done correctly.
The following is a lie by ... he said ... this is the truth.... tell facts. Then again say the original claim was a lie without repeating it
I dream of the day when an honest reporter asks a question. The politician lies. The reporter then calls them a liar and exposes them. Then says they are not worthy of the office. Then moves on to an honest person.
Sadly there are more dishonest reporters. Those interested in soundbites and ratings. Not objective facts.
I know our media has never been honest. Yellow journalism is an old saying.
America has always had huge social issues. What we call White Christian Nationalism today was common for most of our nation's history.
Keep evolving. Admit your mistakes.
Report objective facts and truths and you will always be correct.