This is maybe the best thing I've read online - it's at least in the top five. I've been an "internet person" since 1994. I have lived half of my life online and half off-line. I know what the internet was before social media and what it became afterwards. So much of what we're living through now is the fight for control of this new territory, not unlike when the Puritans sailed to the new world or the westward expansion. We're doing the same thing only now it's in the virtual space. Imagine what it would be if we could ever get off this planet and colonize others. I didn't see this mess coming. I was securely in my own bubble online. I have a Gen-Z daughter who was ground zero in the Tumblr fanaticism that grew the roots for the Woketopia. But I guess I never imagined so much power would be handed over to the Left. My former side used to be the side that was the counterculture, the rebels, the discards, the upstarts. To see the rise of totalitarianism on the LEFT is what continues to blow my mind. I know it isn't as simple as left or right.
World III is like the "habitus" that forms our reality. Before Musk bought Twitter that was decided by the blue-checks, the media and the Democrats who all formed a fascist-like alignment of power that allowed them complete control over our shared reality. That's what we seem to be at war about now. Who gets to decide that?
For people like my daughter, she doesn't know any other way of life. But I remember life before. That is why it bothers me so much. Anyway, thanks for this.
Oct 1, 2023·edited Oct 1, 2023Liked by Michael Nayna
Great piece Mike - lots to digest! I remember being in 5th grade and learning about Mao's red book. It was an interesting take - aimed at the minds of ten year-olds. I'm 60. At the time, my dad worried. When I went to college and was being encouraged by some visiting professors at my college to go to China and teach English, he REALLY worried. He died about 10 years ago, before I started re-thinking things. I sure wish I could sit down and chat with him now.
Since you mentioned Tolkien, I feel this is the appropriatequote for this occasion:
"The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time. Let this be the hour when we draw swords together. Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin, and the red dawn."
Your substack is criminally underrated.
This is maybe the best thing I've read online - it's at least in the top five. I've been an "internet person" since 1994. I have lived half of my life online and half off-line. I know what the internet was before social media and what it became afterwards. So much of what we're living through now is the fight for control of this new territory, not unlike when the Puritans sailed to the new world or the westward expansion. We're doing the same thing only now it's in the virtual space. Imagine what it would be if we could ever get off this planet and colonize others. I didn't see this mess coming. I was securely in my own bubble online. I have a Gen-Z daughter who was ground zero in the Tumblr fanaticism that grew the roots for the Woketopia. But I guess I never imagined so much power would be handed over to the Left. My former side used to be the side that was the counterculture, the rebels, the discards, the upstarts. To see the rise of totalitarianism on the LEFT is what continues to blow my mind. I know it isn't as simple as left or right.
World III is like the "habitus" that forms our reality. Before Musk bought Twitter that was decided by the blue-checks, the media and the Democrats who all formed a fascist-like alignment of power that allowed them complete control over our shared reality. That's what we seem to be at war about now. Who gets to decide that?
For people like my daughter, she doesn't know any other way of life. But I remember life before. That is why it bothers me so much. Anyway, thanks for this.
Great piece Mike - lots to digest! I remember being in 5th grade and learning about Mao's red book. It was an interesting take - aimed at the minds of ten year-olds. I'm 60. At the time, my dad worried. When I went to college and was being encouraged by some visiting professors at my college to go to China and teach English, he REALLY worried. He died about 10 years ago, before I started re-thinking things. I sure wish I could sit down and chat with him now.
"Exploding head emoji" here!
Fantastic!
Since you mentioned Tolkien, I feel this is the appropriatequote for this occasion:
"The horn of Helm Hammerhand shall sound in the deep one last time. Let this be the hour when we draw swords together. Fell deeds awake. Now for wrath, now for ruin, and the red dawn."
-Théoden
Or, if you prefer:
"The ents are going to war." -Treebeard
Very enlighting. You bring history and put words on feelings. You must be one of these guardians of the home i guess.
🫡