I am being absolutely serious here with the Weimar Republic comparison. Because people are fucking miserable and it’s fucking terrifying.

A hundred years ago, broke people in big cities would go to fascist rallies because they were free, and because sometimes the organizers gave out free food and beer, and because people had nothing better to do.

And they stayed because hate feels good when you’re hurting and simple violent solutions appeal to the angry monkey parts of our brains.

And the fewer community connections you have - the more the economy strips your life down to work and sleep, or to job hunting and sleep, or to scrounging in the gutter to survive and sleep, and the less you go out and socialize with actual human beings - the more appealing the fascist illusion of unity, of being part of a powerful group, becomes.

And the only difference today is that the fascist rallies are beamed directly into your home.

  • StopTech@lemmy.today
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    5 days ago

    I didn’t say it’s not an issue, but we need perspective. Instead of complaining about the elbow poking us in the ribs right now how about we talk about the branch we’re sitting on breaking and the pit of lava below? Or why we are in this situation to begin with? Not just the elbow but everything else?

      • StopTech@lemmy.today
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        5 days ago

        Some relatively minor and arguably temporary economic hardship that still leaves us at an advantage compared to almost anyone else doesn’t seem like a big deal compared to humans no longer being the dominant species and either going extinct or becoming slaves