Hello lovely dailykos people. After another long night last night, I realized that it is finally time to call it quits. I was "jacked in" from 10pm to about 4:30am. Believe it or not, this was a comparatively short internet binge for me. This cannot go on; it's killing me. I will no longer be a part of the dialogue here.
I want to say two things. First, you people are amazing; keep it up. This community serves several much-needed functions: news gathering and dissemination, community making, and organization. And now, I am jubilant to see, actual journalism. Protect this community, nurture it, keep it vital, extend it.
Second, and more pointedly, take a moment to critically consider the amount of time you spend here at dkos, and online in general. Internet addiction is a very real and serious problem.
Even if you don't consider yourself an addict, there are benefits in reducing your screen-time. We do have a real community, but it cannot substitute for real flesh-and-blood interactions. Studies show time spent online can make you less happy. It also may not always be the best way for you to fight the good fight against this growing fascism.
Don't base your self-esteem on the level of feedback your comments get, like I have. There are better measures of your worth out there. Besides, as a person, you have inherent worth. Try to avoid petty arguments and feedback wars like the one I was just in.
Don't forget that dKos is an echo chamber. It is an important echo chamber--some important news makes the barest of squeaks and needs to be amplified. We need to hear ourselves talk to develop and gain faith in our own ideas. But if everyone compulsively follows the news, but doesn't do anything about it, we're not going to make it. I've had to accept that chasing down every facet to every story wasn't helping me or anyone else very much. I had long passed the point of diminished returns.
As big as the community is, it is only a wee little fraction of the population of the United States. To make a difference, we need to reach out beyond ourselves. There are decent people out there who don't even question that there might be another viewpoint besides that of FOX news or Rush Limbaugh. We need to preach our gospel to these people. Don't waste your time with the Freepers, work on the souls you can actually salvage.
Be brave and talk to people on the streets. Be brave and talk to people you know, but never talk politics too. Be brave and organize in the real world--face time and satisfaction of accomplishment will make up for the effort and scariness.
Trust yourselves.
Thank you everyone. Particularly to the likes of MeteorBlades and Maryscott OConnor, and SusanG--you have been my heroes. But, truly, so has anyone who has ever made the effort to participate.
I'll still come by here to read. But I won't be posting / commenting for a few months at least. Maybe six.
Be well.
Get off the Internet!!
I'll meet you in the streets.
Get off the Internet!!
Destroy the Right Wing.
--Le Tigre