Why I don't use Twitter

[usonian]

It's a matter of controlling what I can control, and getting information that *I* choose, while being aware of alternate viewpoints.

To that extent, I use DU as a news aggregator of everything non-techie, and Hacker News (https://news.ycombinator.com/newest) as an aggregator of damn near everything techie, plus the chance to glance at one-line summaries of stuff that the Ayn Rand crowd posts.

Both are actually moderated to keep outrageous and vile bullshit out!

WHY DO I DO THIS?
Because life is all about actions.
In life, PULL WORKS, PUSH DOESN'T

Life is like a rope. Pushing on a rope moves nothing but a short piece of rope.
That is like arguing with idiots. The best you can do is "run up some numbers".

By associating with like-minded and GOOD people, you can have some influence in order to make things better.
That would include (hopefully) friends, family, work colleagues, fellow hobbyists and so on.
Unlike the binary "It's you or me" world of Twitter, YOU STAND A CHANCE of making positive change.

All advertising-supported sites are about quantity, and screw quality.

Plus, I really choose to keep garbage out of my brain. Just being aware of stuff, in a "Wikipedia" kind of way, is enough to help me do positive things.

No muck-diving for me.


Consider this:
CALL, TEXT, EMAIL YOUR GOOD FRIENDS
Thanks to jxla for the tip.
Friends Ask Friends to Vote
https://www.aclu.org/news/voting-rights/midterms-friends-ask-friends-to-vote

First, make a list of your people: friends, family, and community groups you are a part of; people you see regularly; and people you work with. Next, identify who on that list aligns with our ACLU values, but may not always vote. Then, let them know there’s an important election coming up and help them make a plan to vote (when, where, and how). Call them if you usually call them, text them if you typically text them, or talk to them when you see them next. We’ll also provide you with a conversation guide

Download the ACLU Midterm Conversation Guide https://www.aclu.org/wp-content/themes/aclu-wp/frontend/bundles/midterms/assets/files/aclu-conversation-guide.pdf

HAVE A CONVERSATION,


NOT A TOMATO (OR OTHER) HURLING CONTEST!


PULL (willing) people towards you
This works in life, not just politics.



Thinking about this, I guess that DU and Hacker News are PROXIES that let me know what's going on, actually ban horrific and vile content, and let me choose what to explore, and with whom to engage.

Keeps the clutter down.

[cilla4progress]

1. Terrific post and ideas, usonian!

I will add - I learned of an app for your phone that will actually show you who in your contacts is a registered Dem (public records!) and you can then send them a text reminding them to vote.

Here it is: https://www.swipeblue.org/

I feel lighter and unburdened having left twit (deactivated earlier this week). I didn't see a lot of crap there because of careful curation, and I followed respected tweeters such as Marc Elias, Mueller She Wrote, Connie Schultz, George Takei. But I can find most on their substack or podcasts. More control, as you say!