And that was just the one who told you that you supported the shifting of his perspective. There are most likely others. Keep doing what you are doing, as long as you have the will stamina fortitude patience … 🤍
I was a little kid in the 1960s. Comparing those protests to what is happening now doesn’t match up, or align with 2025. Too much has happened since the 1960s. The country is more diverse politically, ethically, socially, economically and so on. the middle ground where we each get something and have to give up something is getting smaller and smaller. We don’t honestly don’t talk to one another, listen to one another and note the valid points of each argument. We can’t be civil to one another. Being civil to one another is incredibly important for us to get through this transition. We have to acknowledge that everyone has experiences that others do not, and respect their knowledge from these experiences. To acknowledge one another is critical.
As I get older I see things that have really harmed our country. The constant buy, consume, buy that is pushed on us. It is designed to be divisive. It worked. The thought that someone else will bail us out of this predicament and we will all be okay, is both immature and down right deadly. What do you want to give up to get a healthy 401k, have healthcare, live in a safe neighborhood, have access to healthy food. How do we determine which person coming as a student is well intentioned and which is not. How has the dying traditional media (yea!) influenced, and created a path to unhealthy economics and personal strife in our country. These are just basic hard topic discussions off the top of my head. Other topics are far more complex in every way possible. But we are afraid to talk about it.
The fear, change in media coverage that you are experiencing right now is how many Americans who voted for Trump and Biden won felt. Seriously. I will firmly die on the hill that says we have had some truly shi**y options for presidents for many years. Right now the basic foundation of what and who becomes president is out of the general public’s hands. We are not getting the best candidate we are getting the prejudged, predetermined choices.
What are the positives right now. It is a time of transition for the country and the transition will open some doors close others. We are adaptable creatures, we survive, we love, and can choice our own personal belief system. We can learn, laugh, dust ourselves off when we fall, and get back up. We are resilient and we can choose our outlook on life. That is something to hold onto, we have choices and options. We will get through this and boy the stories we will tell!
I always appreciate your thoughtful comments, especially from a perspective of someone who is a little older than I am. So many things to chew on here and agree with most all of your points. The consumer-centric, individualistic mindset of this country is pushing us apart. Too much tearing people down and pulling the ladder up behind. Thank you again, and for the positive spin at the end.
So much has changed since 2016. Back then my husband proudly marched with me. Now he angrily calls the protesters a bunch of whiny, keffiyeh-wearing, losers, who are pro-government bloat, and don't actually want to work. The government workers who have been laid off were all just sucking the rest of the hardworking taxpayers (i.e. the tech community) dry while they sat around watching TikTok all day and collecting a paycheck. I could go on, but it's clear that somewhere between 2016 and now, a huge shift happened in how many in the tech community view their workers and the rest of society. The anger in the higher echelons of the tech community towards the rest of us has become endemic even as the technologies they created are trapping us, warping us, and soon, replacing us. Trump's second term really is just the result of all this previously pent up anger now out in full view. If you want to know how those tech leaders really feel, just look at David Sacks's tweets, or maybe protect your mental health and don't.
What a great essay, Jenna. I loved feeling what it was like for you in NY. "Apathy, and there’s plenty of it, is one thing, but helplessness gnaws at your soul like watching someone drown when you don’t know how to swim." You hit the nail on the head here. As for "where is Gen Z?" I want to shout from the rooftops that a) some are just trying to make it to the end of the school year intact b) some have so much unprocessed grief from the wreckage of the pandemic that they can't find their way. I'm so TIRED of hot takes and finger-pointing and cynical online discourse!
I'm tired of the complaints about Gen Z as well. Some people underestimate how damaging the COVID years were for these kids. That said, I am seeing online conversations in Reddit for example of Gen Z trying to mobilize the kids to get involved in politics, march, and vote. At some point everyone, including Gen Z, need to wake up and take *some* action, even if it's to vote in midterm elections, which is HUGE.
👍🏽 totally. I really appreciate another thing you said in this piece, which is that sure, joy is resistance and all that, but that conserved energy has to be put toward real action if there’s gonna be any change.
This is such a great essay! You've expressed perfectly everything I've been feeling lately, but could never articulate thanks to my own trip through perimenopause and aging (love that part). It feels like social media has become toxic to our entire culture and is building to a breaking point. I am so very tired of the continual pile-up of blame, judgement, preaching, and criticism that even the most simple posts will inevitably receive. Everyone is an expert and no one wants to listen.
Everyone IS an expert! I was beginning to wonder if we're going to have activist influencers now 😅. I got off Instagram, but that was also an indication to spend less time on Threads and Bluesky, though I see less of that on Bluesky.
Oh man, activist influencers, I hadn't even thought of that possibility. I still hang out on Instagram because I'm also a photographer. Threads feels somewhat chaotic to me- like changing channels through a thousand different thoughts as you scroll, so I don't spend much time there. Bluesky is similar but has a more positive vibe for now. I'm not a fan of videos and I don't have enough energy for a dozen different social media apps, so TikTok was a no for me.
Threads even a year ago was the calm place. It was SO nice and fun! Now, I hate to say it feels a lot more toxic, but not exactly surprising as all platforms seem to head that way (ahem). Bluesky, at least the way my feed has gone feels so serious and newsy. I saw a headline somewhere, which I want to track down because I want to read it, how Bluesky has no joy haha. And activist influencers - oh lord I really hope that is not a thing!!
I think the protests were electrifying--even in RED Utah. Here, the police reported 10,000-15,000 at the Capitol. The next day, a main (LDS Church owned) newspaper reported it was 6k, and the comments were just weird. From comments about paid protestors to stupid people.
I still think it's important to keep our voices heard. However, I'm not sure on the media. This is a very good conversation, because I'm uncertain about the online filters. Are they bots? Comments from overseas? Or are they really people here in Utah, that feel that way? I'm just not sure.
Apologies for the myopic perspective focusing on Utah, but that's my narrow experience.
I'm happy to hear about the protests on Utah! I think just focus on the experience of actually being there, rather than online chatter. That's what I'm going to do. And paid protestors - that's been going around for years. Which is ridiculous, even to put the spin on these protests which showed huge turnouts. And if that were remotely true...where's my money? 😅
Thank you so much for the wonderful response--and funny! Where is that money? I'm going to keep going and enjoying the energy, the connection, and the wonderful people standing up for all that is right!
I am constantly on the verge of tears. I keep blaming it on my autoimmune disorder. But now that you mention it, maybe it’s just…things that are happening.
I’m sorry you are feeling that, though I can definitely understand. My anxiety has been super high this week for many reasons but it’s also definitely because everything that is happening. It’s a lot. Be gentile with yourself Maya.
Patience and Fortitude. 💯
And to the last point, consistency. This is a marathon, so let’s be strategic.
Yes, to consistency!
And that was just the one who told you that you supported the shifting of his perspective. There are most likely others. Keep doing what you are doing, as long as you have the will stamina fortitude patience … 🤍
🫶 Those library lions really coming in as a symbolic beacon. I remember during COVID, they put giant face masks on them!
Haha very cute
I was a little kid in the 1960s. Comparing those protests to what is happening now doesn’t match up, or align with 2025. Too much has happened since the 1960s. The country is more diverse politically, ethically, socially, economically and so on. the middle ground where we each get something and have to give up something is getting smaller and smaller. We don’t honestly don’t talk to one another, listen to one another and note the valid points of each argument. We can’t be civil to one another. Being civil to one another is incredibly important for us to get through this transition. We have to acknowledge that everyone has experiences that others do not, and respect their knowledge from these experiences. To acknowledge one another is critical.
As I get older I see things that have really harmed our country. The constant buy, consume, buy that is pushed on us. It is designed to be divisive. It worked. The thought that someone else will bail us out of this predicament and we will all be okay, is both immature and down right deadly. What do you want to give up to get a healthy 401k, have healthcare, live in a safe neighborhood, have access to healthy food. How do we determine which person coming as a student is well intentioned and which is not. How has the dying traditional media (yea!) influenced, and created a path to unhealthy economics and personal strife in our country. These are just basic hard topic discussions off the top of my head. Other topics are far more complex in every way possible. But we are afraid to talk about it.
The fear, change in media coverage that you are experiencing right now is how many Americans who voted for Trump and Biden won felt. Seriously. I will firmly die on the hill that says we have had some truly shi**y options for presidents for many years. Right now the basic foundation of what and who becomes president is out of the general public’s hands. We are not getting the best candidate we are getting the prejudged, predetermined choices.
What are the positives right now. It is a time of transition for the country and the transition will open some doors close others. We are adaptable creatures, we survive, we love, and can choice our own personal belief system. We can learn, laugh, dust ourselves off when we fall, and get back up. We are resilient and we can choose our outlook on life. That is something to hold onto, we have choices and options. We will get through this and boy the stories we will tell!
I always appreciate your thoughtful comments, especially from a perspective of someone who is a little older than I am. So many things to chew on here and agree with most all of your points. The consumer-centric, individualistic mindset of this country is pushing us apart. Too much tearing people down and pulling the ladder up behind. Thank you again, and for the positive spin at the end.
So much has changed since 2016. Back then my husband proudly marched with me. Now he angrily calls the protesters a bunch of whiny, keffiyeh-wearing, losers, who are pro-government bloat, and don't actually want to work. The government workers who have been laid off were all just sucking the rest of the hardworking taxpayers (i.e. the tech community) dry while they sat around watching TikTok all day and collecting a paycheck. I could go on, but it's clear that somewhere between 2016 and now, a huge shift happened in how many in the tech community view their workers and the rest of society. The anger in the higher echelons of the tech community towards the rest of us has become endemic even as the technologies they created are trapping us, warping us, and soon, replacing us. Trump's second term really is just the result of all this previously pent up anger now out in full view. If you want to know how those tech leaders really feel, just look at David Sacks's tweets, or maybe protect your mental health and don't.
I do already know. I worked in tech and design roles since 2000. I'm glad that I no longer do. Money and power change people and entire industries.
Great article….im passing it on!
Thank you for sharing, Karen!
What a great essay, Jenna. I loved feeling what it was like for you in NY. "Apathy, and there’s plenty of it, is one thing, but helplessness gnaws at your soul like watching someone drown when you don’t know how to swim." You hit the nail on the head here. As for "where is Gen Z?" I want to shout from the rooftops that a) some are just trying to make it to the end of the school year intact b) some have so much unprocessed grief from the wreckage of the pandemic that they can't find their way. I'm so TIRED of hot takes and finger-pointing and cynical online discourse!
I'm tired of the complaints about Gen Z as well. Some people underestimate how damaging the COVID years were for these kids. That said, I am seeing online conversations in Reddit for example of Gen Z trying to mobilize the kids to get involved in politics, march, and vote. At some point everyone, including Gen Z, need to wake up and take *some* action, even if it's to vote in midterm elections, which is HUGE.
👍🏽 totally. I really appreciate another thing you said in this piece, which is that sure, joy is resistance and all that, but that conserved energy has to be put toward real action if there’s gonna be any change.
This is such a great essay! You've expressed perfectly everything I've been feeling lately, but could never articulate thanks to my own trip through perimenopause and aging (love that part). It feels like social media has become toxic to our entire culture and is building to a breaking point. I am so very tired of the continual pile-up of blame, judgement, preaching, and criticism that even the most simple posts will inevitably receive. Everyone is an expert and no one wants to listen.
Everyone IS an expert! I was beginning to wonder if we're going to have activist influencers now 😅. I got off Instagram, but that was also an indication to spend less time on Threads and Bluesky, though I see less of that on Bluesky.
Oh man, activist influencers, I hadn't even thought of that possibility. I still hang out on Instagram because I'm also a photographer. Threads feels somewhat chaotic to me- like changing channels through a thousand different thoughts as you scroll, so I don't spend much time there. Bluesky is similar but has a more positive vibe for now. I'm not a fan of videos and I don't have enough energy for a dozen different social media apps, so TikTok was a no for me.
Threads even a year ago was the calm place. It was SO nice and fun! Now, I hate to say it feels a lot more toxic, but not exactly surprising as all platforms seem to head that way (ahem). Bluesky, at least the way my feed has gone feels so serious and newsy. I saw a headline somewhere, which I want to track down because I want to read it, how Bluesky has no joy haha. And activist influencers - oh lord I really hope that is not a thing!!
Yes, I felt that way about Threads in the beginning too! I haven't had much time for Bluesky yet.
I think the protests were electrifying--even in RED Utah. Here, the police reported 10,000-15,000 at the Capitol. The next day, a main (LDS Church owned) newspaper reported it was 6k, and the comments were just weird. From comments about paid protestors to stupid people.
I still think it's important to keep our voices heard. However, I'm not sure on the media. This is a very good conversation, because I'm uncertain about the online filters. Are they bots? Comments from overseas? Or are they really people here in Utah, that feel that way? I'm just not sure.
Apologies for the myopic perspective focusing on Utah, but that's my narrow experience.
I'm happy to hear about the protests on Utah! I think just focus on the experience of actually being there, rather than online chatter. That's what I'm going to do. And paid protestors - that's been going around for years. Which is ridiculous, even to put the spin on these protests which showed huge turnouts. And if that were remotely true...where's my money? 😅
Thank you so much for the wonderful response--and funny! Where is that money? I'm going to keep going and enjoying the energy, the connection, and the wonderful people standing up for all that is right!
I just keep thinking to myself, "I don't know what to do-I literally don't know what the fuck to do."
Well written and crafted piece, thank you for sharing, Jenna.
I know Adrian. And that's really why I went to the protest. Restless energy, don't know what else to do.
I am constantly on the verge of tears. I keep blaming it on my autoimmune disorder. But now that you mention it, maybe it’s just…things that are happening.
I’m sorry you are feeling that, though I can definitely understand. My anxiety has been super high this week for many reasons but it’s also definitely because everything that is happening. It’s a lot. Be gentile with yourself Maya.