I want to take a moment to express how grateful I am for the audio version of your newsletter, Robert. While I am not sight-impaired, and I usually read it, I listen to the audio version when sitting and reading is not possible, and hence, it helps me to stay a lot more engaged. With other related newsletters that option is lacking and when having an hour to read isn't an option, I get behind by days, and therefore become detached. I am going to ask others to have an audio version to help us all keep more completely engaged - even if they have to hire a reader. Honestly, I don't know how you all manage doing the daily research and condensing of information to share with everyone - deeply, deeply appreciated! Onward!
The decision to abandon social media platforms is a difficult one, and more nuanced than what you are presenting. I left Twitter and went to Bluesky. But as far as Facebook is concerned, much as I would like to, I cannot leave, at least not yet. In this busy world where we don't have time to spend quality time with our friends and loved ones, Facebook provides continuing connection and news updates from the people I care about. Also, to your point about those who are using Facebook as a platform for activism--if we all leave, who will those valuable posts reach?
I noticed in your list of companies that you have disengaged you did not list Amazon. I highly recommend the book “How to Resist Amazon And Why” by Danny Caine
Stallions should have stopped making films after Rocky. Facebook is the only place I can connect with some people so it's hard to leave. I am on Bluesky at @Elaine78watercolor.bsky.social come visit me.
Thanks Robert. Just what I needed to hear about Facebook. There were some instructions by someone about how to keep your information private on Facebook. I had those in place. But how did it know I was in Palm Springs earlier this week and I started getting ads about Palm Springs? The animal rescue, adoption, lost and found community is huge on Facebook. What wonderful dedicated people. Also I do some political ranting on Facebook. I must seem like the hand waving radical lefty. I figure if I can bring some common sense to people that could be woken from their slumber, would be worth it.
Amy Siskind had a suggestion of how to continue to use FB but disable their ad partners from generating revenue and sharing your information etc. I took the prescribed steps as they were given in this link and accomplished it in less than a minute. If IIIIIIIII can do it, anyone can as I tend not be able to get anything to work for me online. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10235494629011499&set=a.1079418750824
I communicate with too many people on fb, and I follow people I depend on for news and connection. I'm not ready to surrender that. I don't click on ads, and I disabled fB ad partners from getting my info. I did that this morning, and unlike prior to going through the disabling steps, I've noticed today that the things I've googled have not shown up in my FB feed, so I'm hoping that it really worked.
Random addition to the list of companies that supported Project 2025 and didn't support Dems. I was listening to TikTok today, probably more than I ever did, and someone researched to make such a list of companies (including some sports teams). There was a combination of farewells and very interesting (to me) commentaries. I got hooked to PissedOffBartender (from Alabama) whom I will begin to follow on YouTube.
LL Bean is one such company. I don't purchase much from the company, but it did make me pause.
Matthew Yglesias wrote this about the Zuck on his Slow Boring Substack and it is entirely correct imo.
> The underlying problem is that while technological progress is good in the aggregate, not every specific innovation is good. Zuckerberg just happens to be cursed with the reality that he became very rich at a very young age by being a pioneer in a technology that is basically harmful. He strikes me as a genuinely well-meaning person, and Meta has gone on to do lots of things that are more interesting and more promising than its core Facebook/Instagram business. But there’s no way around the fact that an information ecosystem based on virality — whether Facebook or TikTok or Twitter or anything else — exacerbates the flaws of establishment media rather than improving them.
The only thing these people understand is money and power. Let's hurt them by taking our attention away from them, they'll start eating each other to try and get power but their platforms are getting so toxic that advertisers won't even think it's worthwhile to use anymore. No sense in us being on them either.
I really appreciate you making the parallel between boycotting Amazon and the bus boycott by Black citizens during the Civil Rights era. When anyone writes about boycotting Amazon, I sigh. I don't drive. The convenience of using Amazon is beyond words, for me. So boycotting Amazon will be a great inconvenience for me. Well, as President Biden says, "Guess what": boycotting the buses in Montgomery, Alabama for 54 straight weeks was most certainly an inconvenience for the people who used to ride them. Some walked as much as 8 miles to get to and from work. Others carpooled, some took cabs. So why can't I take a cab, or ask someone to drive me to the places I need to go to shop? I will.
For some people hesitating to leave FB, there are other options. Check out Bluesky. It's not quite like FB, but I think with time and more people migrating to Bluesky, I think it will evolve and get better. And perhaps you could ask your friends/family to go over to Bluesky with you.
Also, I realize it is quite convenient to order through Amazon, but we certainly survived just fine before that. I am not using Amazon unless I absolutely have to, which hasn't happened yet. Instead, I order directly from the vendors. It just takes a little planning and forethought, since things don't arrive quite as quickly, but shipping time is not bad. I got spoiled with Amazon but this alternative plan is working just fine.
One thought about your boycott section. The brave folks you referenced who boycotted buses and lunch counters were visible as they refused to give up their seats or marched. When we leave FB or Twitter, we are just invisible, numbers that are replaced with other numbers. That's what I'm not sure works, at least not for me. So I continue to look for ways to protest while present. Thank you!!
As of today, I will forever boycott Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, and Jon Voight. I admit that the only one I will actually miss is Jon Voight, but the others I can gladly live without. I have boycotted Clint Eastwood since his obnoxious rant on stage against Barrack Obama during his presidential campaign. I not only will not buy theater tickets, I will immediately change the TV channel if one of their movies comes on. I am sure they will all miss me.
Voight hasn't done anything since the National Treasure movies that I can tell. Mel and Sylvester - never saw anything they've done. Haven't been to a movie in years, and I prefer oldies.
Robert, is the fact that Donald Trump wasn’t charged with insurrection still an available charge after his term is concluded? Could someone bring a case in the future while he is still alive or posthumously? Seems like something to consider if we’re trying to see this all the way through. Thanks. -DG
I want to take a moment to express how grateful I am for the audio version of your newsletter, Robert. While I am not sight-impaired, and I usually read it, I listen to the audio version when sitting and reading is not possible, and hence, it helps me to stay a lot more engaged. With other related newsletters that option is lacking and when having an hour to read isn't an option, I get behind by days, and therefore become detached. I am going to ask others to have an audio version to help us all keep more completely engaged - even if they have to hire a reader. Honestly, I don't know how you all manage doing the daily research and condensing of information to share with everyone - deeply, deeply appreciated! Onward!
The decision to abandon social media platforms is a difficult one, and more nuanced than what you are presenting. I left Twitter and went to Bluesky. But as far as Facebook is concerned, much as I would like to, I cannot leave, at least not yet. In this busy world where we don't have time to spend quality time with our friends and loved ones, Facebook provides continuing connection and news updates from the people I care about. Also, to your point about those who are using Facebook as a platform for activism--if we all leave, who will those valuable posts reach?
Thank you as always for Truth - and Perspective …
I noticed in your list of companies that you have disengaged you did not list Amazon. I highly recommend the book “How to Resist Amazon And Why” by Danny Caine
He
Stallions should have stopped making films after Rocky. Facebook is the only place I can connect with some people so it's hard to leave. I am on Bluesky at @Elaine78watercolor.bsky.social come visit me.
Thanks Robert. Just what I needed to hear about Facebook. There were some instructions by someone about how to keep your information private on Facebook. I had those in place. But how did it know I was in Palm Springs earlier this week and I started getting ads about Palm Springs? The animal rescue, adoption, lost and found community is huge on Facebook. What wonderful dedicated people. Also I do some political ranting on Facebook. I must seem like the hand waving radical lefty. I figure if I can bring some common sense to people that could be woken from their slumber, would be worth it.
Amy Siskind had a suggestion of how to continue to use FB but disable their ad partners from generating revenue and sharing your information etc. I took the prescribed steps as they were given in this link and accomplished it in less than a minute. If IIIIIIIII can do it, anyone can as I tend not be able to get anything to work for me online. https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10235494629011499&set=a.1079418750824
I communicate with too many people on fb, and I follow people I depend on for news and connection. I'm not ready to surrender that. I don't click on ads, and I disabled fB ad partners from getting my info. I did that this morning, and unlike prior to going through the disabling steps, I've noticed today that the things I've googled have not shown up in my FB feed, so I'm hoping that it really worked.
Random addition to the list of companies that supported Project 2025 and didn't support Dems. I was listening to TikTok today, probably more than I ever did, and someone researched to make such a list of companies (including some sports teams). There was a combination of farewells and very interesting (to me) commentaries. I got hooked to PissedOffBartender (from Alabama) whom I will begin to follow on YouTube.
LL Bean is one such company. I don't purchase much from the company, but it did make me pause.
Matthew Yglesias wrote this about the Zuck on his Slow Boring Substack and it is entirely correct imo.
> The underlying problem is that while technological progress is good in the aggregate, not every specific innovation is good. Zuckerberg just happens to be cursed with the reality that he became very rich at a very young age by being a pioneer in a technology that is basically harmful. He strikes me as a genuinely well-meaning person, and Meta has gone on to do lots of things that are more interesting and more promising than its core Facebook/Instagram business. But there’s no way around the fact that an information ecosystem based on virality — whether Facebook or TikTok or Twitter or anything else — exacerbates the flaws of establishment media rather than improving them.
The only thing these people understand is money and power. Let's hurt them by taking our attention away from them, they'll start eating each other to try and get power but their platforms are getting so toxic that advertisers won't even think it's worthwhile to use anymore. No sense in us being on them either.
Finally I am listening to Robert...this update was the source of multiple chats today that others brought up.
This is an original potent content and creative in its approach. Thank you.
I really appreciate you making the parallel between boycotting Amazon and the bus boycott by Black citizens during the Civil Rights era. When anyone writes about boycotting Amazon, I sigh. I don't drive. The convenience of using Amazon is beyond words, for me. So boycotting Amazon will be a great inconvenience for me. Well, as President Biden says, "Guess what": boycotting the buses in Montgomery, Alabama for 54 straight weeks was most certainly an inconvenience for the people who used to ride them. Some walked as much as 8 miles to get to and from work. Others carpooled, some took cabs. So why can't I take a cab, or ask someone to drive me to the places I need to go to shop? I will.
For some people hesitating to leave FB, there are other options. Check out Bluesky. It's not quite like FB, but I think with time and more people migrating to Bluesky, I think it will evolve and get better. And perhaps you could ask your friends/family to go over to Bluesky with you.
Also, I realize it is quite convenient to order through Amazon, but we certainly survived just fine before that. I am not using Amazon unless I absolutely have to, which hasn't happened yet. Instead, I order directly from the vendors. It just takes a little planning and forethought, since things don't arrive quite as quickly, but shipping time is not bad. I got spoiled with Amazon but this alternative plan is working just fine.
One thought about your boycott section. The brave folks you referenced who boycotted buses and lunch counters were visible as they refused to give up their seats or marched. When we leave FB or Twitter, we are just invisible, numbers that are replaced with other numbers. That's what I'm not sure works, at least not for me. So I continue to look for ways to protest while present. Thank you!!
As of today, I will forever boycott Mel Gibson, Sylvester Stallone, and Jon Voight. I admit that the only one I will actually miss is Jon Voight, but the others I can gladly live without. I have boycotted Clint Eastwood since his obnoxious rant on stage against Barrack Obama during his presidential campaign. I not only will not buy theater tickets, I will immediately change the TV channel if one of their movies comes on. I am sure they will all miss me.
Voight hasn't done anything since the National Treasure movies that I can tell. Mel and Sylvester - never saw anything they've done. Haven't been to a movie in years, and I prefer oldies.
Robert, is the fact that Donald Trump wasn’t charged with insurrection still an available charge after his term is concluded? Could someone bring a case in the future while he is still alive or posthumously? Seems like something to consider if we’re trying to see this all the way through. Thanks. -DG