Yes, you’re absolutely right. There’s a lot of hopelessness and apathy, and it’s only helping those who commit the atrocities.

But before you judge, I’ll state that I’ve been a member of an activist group, progressivecoders dot org, for the last 5 years. I’ve worked on various projects, but overall watched the world situation get worse anyway. Even before that, I’ve done my best to be an activist and ally.

I’ve also been in the software industry for 30 years. I’ve watched it go from a genuinely useful and interesting information processing and delivery system, to a completely shittified ad delivery and surveillance tool. I’ve had to participate in it myself, I was actually part of the team that delivered the first animated GIF that made advertising that much more annoying. I worked for several of the big internet monopolies, and realized that it wasn’t an accomplishment, they just crack the whip that much harder, and I have CPTSD in exchange for free lunches and massages.

So yeah, I’m starting to give up. But it’s not for lack of trying.

By eliminating critical thinking, and polarizing everyone, those in power can do whatever they want, and the rest of us won’t be sufficiently organized to stop it.

I’m seeing positive signs though, labor unions getting successful settlements, and more awareness. So maybe?

This precisely. Maybe “us vs them” was useful when we lived in caves and resources were limited, but now, we should theoretically have enough food and housing that everyone could be comfortable.

But, Eisenhower’s “military industrial complex” has bogarted all the resources, and emphasized tribalism by saying it’s really “their” fault, where “they” are anyone not like “us”. When we’re all struggling together.