(reading notes, depression)

[elainegrey]

Yesterday i was very down after a story about a website that assists people in committing suicides.

Twohey, Megan, and Gabriel J. X. Dance. “Where the Despairing Log On, and Learn Ways to Die.” The New York Times, December 9, 2021, sec. U.S. https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2021/12/09/us/where-the-despairing-log-on.html.

The article describes the impact of a website that run by persons who also run incel websites. The admins/owners are experienced in shifting the jurisdiction away from whatever authority attempts to do something about the site. When i read about how some people video stream their suicides i imagined that there's likely a market for those videos and wonder if that's a revenue stream for the people running it. The Times reports a predator who would offer to "help" women hang themselves, sexually assaulting them first. Just horrifying how "we want to create a safe space" is so twisted. I understand why a safe space is desired, but it's not a safe space when people can profit from others committing acts of desperation. There's so much dystopia. Even not knowing that, the recent spate of legal and jury decisions has me feeling far more pessimistic than ever.

I appreciate those of you who remind folks about rage donating.

The good news, which i must post quickly -- is learning of the "Birds Aren’t Real" conspiracy, an odd sort of outlet for processing the cognitive pain that the many conspiracy theories that have such an impact on our lives now. I don't know if it can have a broader effect, but there's my little glimmer of hope.

Lorenz, Taylor. “Birds Aren’t Real, or Are They? Inside a Gen Z Conspiracy Theory.” The New York Times, December 9, 2021, sec. Technology. https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/09/technology/birds-arent-real-gen-z-misinformation.html.

Comments

[cynthia1960]

My spouse told me that the "Birds Aren't Real" folks seem to have the same energy as the Unitarian Jihad back in the oughts.

[elainegrey]

Haven't heard of them, either, but it sounds like good energy. Makes me think of God Hates Shrimp.

[amaebi]

I used to enjoy wearing a God Hates Shrimp T-shirt to chapel in seminary. :D

[cynthia1960]

Excellent way to mess with people's preconceptions, *applause*

[amaebi]

I should say that I went to a liberal seminary-- Iliff-- and that even theologically and conservative students there tended to be down with LGTBIQ equity. But though I wasn't one of the younger students, not too many of my colleagues knew about God Hates Shrimp.

[cynthia1960]

When my spouse read the Jon Carroll column in the SF Chronicle where he describes the Unitarian Jihad, they created a little website where you could generate your own Unitarian Jihad name. People still go there even after over fifteen years ;).

[elainegrey]

With names like these, i can certainly see why!

My Unitarian Jihad Name is: The Cattle Prod of Quiet Reflection.

Get yours.

[amaebi]

The Neutron Bomb of Quiet Humanitarianism!