For the Sake of Our Children: The New Instagram User Agreement/ Alternatives to Media Privacy Violators/ Why we Left Instagram/ The Social Dilemma/ Dealing with Withdrawal and Grief

 For a more peaceful post on the benefits movement months after this decision please click here: https://worldwecreate.blogspot.com/2023/02/making-room-off-of-social-media-beauty.html?m=1

Why We Left Instagram/ The NEW USER INSTAGRAM AGREEMENT:

I was censored on Instagram for sharing my last post below (Stories from Covid.) It was simply an image without hashtags, nor words. On the bottom it told people to go to the government website for accurate information. That was one of my wake up calls.

I read the new terms of Instagram's User Agreement a month ago and knew I would not be able to stand by it...but what to do about it?  Not only do they have access to other devices around your app device, but they have "ownership" of your user name and any of your content. They can access banking, your messages ( and it states that they can get into disputes on your messaging) and censor or modify your content. They also state that you can't sue and if you do you are agreeing to only 100 dollar settlement if you use their site. There is no accountability. On cell phone agreements there is still a higher law that the company is called to. We CAN demand better privacy. There ARE other sites that honour privacy to a degree. Facebook/ What's App/ Twitter/YOUTUBE/ TIK TOK and Instagram have similar privacy agreements. Even though it is boring- it is important to read what you consent to. Also, by using the apps you ARE agreeing. In my mind that is not true consent. Consent should be a box checked or an actual action. 

How to Leave Instagram

Our family is leaving Instagram as of January. First we wanted to say goodbye, get contact information and download our data. To do this go into your account> Security> Download Data> Email Request. Then wait a few days for your download to your computer of your photos and history. Post your last post and give it a few days for people to see and then DE ACTIVATE. 

Alternatives to Instagram/ Facebook ect:

https://opensource.com/article/19/1/open-source-social-media-alternatives

This article gives a few alternatives like Mastadon (click) and PixelfedSocial (click)which currently honour privacy and do not change the algorithm or use TARGETED data collecting ads. (As with anything, it is important every year or so to keep up on the terms of use. That COULD change.) I've also heard platforms like Parlour or Mewe have more free speech laws but I have also heard negative aspects of them. However, I do believe that WE make the change. If a platform that allows free speech turns to hate- we CAN go on and make it better if it's the users that are the problem. But if the platform is the problem - that is an entirely different matter.  

If you decide to go on a new platform try to connect or bring in at least two people with you for support. That way the appeal will be there. It is hard work to adjust to anything new. We need to transform the demanding, addictive technology back into a tools based one. We should be using our platforms as helpful tools to enhance our lives, not take away from them. 

" There are only two industries that call their consumers "users" -illegal drugs and software."- Edward Tufte

The Social Dilemma:

"It is the gradual, slight, imperceptible change in your own behaviour and perception to that IS the product." You ARE the product on these "free sites." Netflix has a docu drama called "The Social Dilemma" . Some people are opposed to it because Netflix is it's platform and I had similar concerns, however I felt that I could use critical thinking to balance out what was needed. It IS filmed in a drama documentary way and at first seems alarming, however, I was impressed as it went on, how positive it actually became. The points made were important and crucial to consider. The critics and outliers of society are the people who are actually optimistic for hopeful change. The previous CEOs of all these companies ( facebook/ twitter/youtube/ instagram) make important points. The information presented is grounded in experience, data, and proof. 

"The biggest obstacle to growing and using online communities is getting people to move to them. Without growth, the services will go the way of MySpace and other sites that came before or after Facebook. We create our online communities, and if we can use open source, ethical, and privacy-respecting platforms, the internet and our lives will benefit greatly." (taken from HERE) 

FOR PARENTS and CAREGIVERS:

Since 2011 U.S. Hospital admissions for Non Fatal self harm for girls 10-14 has gone up 189 percent! 189! For girls ages 15-19 it has gone up 62 percent since 2009. It's up TRIPLE. 

Since 2010 the US suicide rates for teenage girls has gone up 151 percent in the 10-14 age range in comparison to the national average from 2001-2010. That IS the influence of social media. That is just for the USA.  FOr teen girls ages 15-19 it has gone up 70 percent. Do we want our preteens and teens subjected to this??

We are viewing The Social Dilemma"  with our teenage children. However, we have paused it occasionally to discuss and explain with them. There is ONE part I will not be showing my sensitive viewers. That is from the time stamp of 1:06 to 1:12 ( just fill in the blanks you wish to fill.) If your children make the brave and very tough decision to go off some social media platforms, applaud, reward and support them. Even as an adult, I am going through some legitimate grief. I enjoyed many aspects. We are MEANT to share. We are meant to have community and look for approval in our tribes. However, we are not meant to look for approval from hundreds or even thousands at a time. 

Your child WILL go through withdrawal, boredom, temptation, isolation and grief. During Covid this is especially prominent. It is why I feel it is important to still offer alternatives to connection. The alternatives I have thought of thus far: Texting, phoning, sharing private home videos on Vimeo, sharing pictures on a private or public blogs, picking slower but still privacy respecting media alternatives like Pixelfed or Mastadon above ect. Also engage with them personally a bit more. Take them sledding, skating or out for a walk. Connect in conversation. Allow a bit more video gaming initially or movie viewing ( for a time period.) Encourage them to find two friends who can view the Social Dilemma too and discuss. Encourage them to find a few friends who are committed to finding new ways to connect.  Use DUCK DUCK Go for searches instead of GOOGLE. It will not appeal to your history or give you targeted subliminal messaging the same way google does. Be active with them and give them more attention for the first 30 days at least.

I would also recommend that you encourage old skool ways of viewing shows instead of YOUTUBE. If you DO use Youtube, search via DUCK DUCK GO and monitor usage. "There is this narrative that says we will just adapt to this or learn to live with these things but there is something newer going on here we have never dealt with in history before... our brains have not evolved to this fast pace yet..." ( The Social Dilemma"  )

For Pre teens/ Teens or Children Who Wish to Make a Change:

The Internet is here to stay. It’s like the wild west. It took years to get free from lawlessness to vigilante to law and order to civilized ethics. The wild west mattered and it’s beautiful because different people demanded more. Person by person it began to change. The way social media is can change but we must cause that change. People do still have the patterns and intelligence to change the larger AI systems. We do! It’s just a matter of choice and balance. Social media can be beautiful. We were meant to share. Just not with hundreds or thousands which affect our brains and our stress levels. We are meant to find new people to inspire and influence us and the Internet is a great tool. But we also have a responsibility to what we agreed to. It’s very tricky. 

To the youth whom I know: You will make the most difference! You are tomorrow! You do not need a platform to make the world beautiful. But if you must have one- choose it wisely. You are the ones whose suicide rates are unprecedented in history. You are the ones whose anxiety has been up since 2009. YOU are the ones whom this matters the most to and I wish to reach some of you because YOU MATTER. We care about protecting you. In older TV programs there were laws on what was advertised to children. We protected the rights of children and what they saw, but with YOUTUBE etc. those laws are out the window. 

Ask your parents or two good friends for support. If you have no one to support you, reach out to me at worldwecreate@gmail.com. I will be happy to discuss the film The Social Dilemma"  with you ( and recommend if you are sensitive to skip time stamp of 1:06 to 1:12 . ) I will try to support you and encourage you if you are lonely or down. You can email me and we can set that up if you have no one. Your self worth and identity MATTER. "We have not evolved to be aware of social approval being put on us on a daily basis"...especially from more than even thirty people. It's insanity that way. "It's fake, short term, brittle popularity that leaves you empty and vacant..." Try to get outside if you can. When Covid is over try to join more clubs/ social events/ local outdoor things. Learn to watch videos with friends WITHOUT having your phone around. Visit with friends without using your device and see how much deeper it can be. Read books and discuss. Start a blog or a private place only a few supportive loved ones can view your thoughts and pictures. Choose platforms that respect your privacy and do not rely on constant feeds, targeted ads or constant likes. If you love photography migrate to a better photography website or try PIXELFED SOCIAL or something different. Use an actual camera instead of your phone and leave your phone at home or in a separate room when you are engaged in other activities. Use your phone for emergencies, driving and out on errands but leave it for walks and take your camera instead. 

FINAL THOUGHTS/ POLARIZATION OF SOCIETY/ WE ARE NOT SEEING THE SAME THINGS:

Do you want to engage constantly with an entity that knows a lot about you but you don't know it at all? Do you want to give your rights to something that can predict your behaviour, know whom you are within a radius mile too ect? There ARE wonderful aspects of technology. I love it for finding important directions, the camera ( although I am thinking of going back to a singular camera to have my phone on me less), texting occasionally and phoning. I am glad though that I still have a landline. I am happy to still have time limits on my computer. I am thankful that I have stopped getting junk email or random emails. I am glad I can connect to people globally in a way that is quicker than snail mail. I DO feel we need to explore and make connections that are new and inspiring. It is fun to find products that suit us. But we don't need more...we actually now need less. A few less connections is not dire. Less stuff is not the end of the world. Less connection that is frail and empty is actually more. 

Turn OFF your notifications. Get your attention back.

"Where you happen to google from, even of two friends who are so close to each other whom have the same friends, think that they will go to google and see the same set of updates...that is untrue. Each person has their own reality, with their own facts... We accept the reality of the world to which we are presented. We get the false sense that everyone agrees with us...once you are in that state you are easy to be manipulated. That is how Facebook works and google works...THEY are in charge of your newsfeed. You are no longer able to consume information that is contradictory to what you are consuming...you begin to look at the other side and think, "How can those people be so stupid? How can they not see all this information that is on my feed?" But the fact is they are NOT seeing the same things you are. " (The Social Dilemma) 

This is causing a grave polarization in politics, life and could eventually lead to civil war if we do not recognize this and change our patterns. The algorithm can change behaviours by feeding us what we think we are aligned with ( an example is Pizza Gate.) "Fake news spreads 6 times faster than true news. "- Social Dilemma 

What does that mean for our future? Where is the shared understanding of reality? AI can not solve the problem of fake news. It’s a program. It doesn’t know what “truth” is. We need to begin to agree and interact. It begins with us.

“There I am with the phone scrolling, texting. clicking…Where is the existential threat? It’s not about the technology being the existential threat. It’s the technologies ability to bring out the worst in society. And the worst in society being the existential threat…If technology creates mass chaos, outrage, instability, lack of trust in each other, loneliness, alienation, more polarization, more election hacking, more populism, more distraction and inability to focus on the real issues, that’s just society and now society is incapable of healing itself and devolving into a kind of chaos. This affects everyone even if you do not use these products…we have to have the platforms become responsible… This is not going away…the AI is gonna get better at what keeps us on the screen not less...”- Tristan the Social Dilemma. 

“If we go down the current situation for the next 20 years we will probably degrade the democracies as we know it and ruin the global economy… it really is existential.”- The Social Dilemma 

“How do you wake up fro the matrix when you don’t know you are in the matrix?”- Tristan Social Dilemma “A lot of what we are saying sounds like doom and gloom…no it’s confusing because it’s simultaneously utopia and dystopia."

“These are choices that human beings have been making and human beings can change those technologies…”- The Social Dilemma

We can demand more. We can do better. "It's the critics that drive improvement. It is the critics whom are the true optimists." 

“The miracle is collective will."

 (Many people who created this tech don’t let their kids use it or have screen time. Think about that. The CREATORS don’t allow their children on devices or have strict rules. They do not allow Social media until aged 16 at least and work out time budgets.) Just getting a few people to delete their accounts MATTERS. 

Technology is here to stay but how we use it, consume it, or even choose to stay with certain programs because it makes our lives easier, MATTERS. We have to change our patterns, find better platforms, find a balance between making it a tool for us and living our lives. Look around. There is beauty. There is a lot that is positive. It is not all dire. We can make a change.

There is a lot of beauty out there! Go and live it!

NOTE: If I come up with new sites or anyone else does- check the comments:) I am also thinking of posting just pictures and quotes sometimes as blog posts in lieu of Instagram. My husband pointed out if I do about 2 hours of blogging every two weeks ( posting and reading others blogs) I am still 80 percent less in time, clicking and scrolling in comparison! 

Song Choice: Man in the Mirror - Michael Jackson Vimeo has better privacy setting than youtube- case in point below:) but watch it there!

Michael Jackson - Man In The Mirror (Official Video) from moseleyscience on Vimeo.

Stories During Covid-19 - Painting a Picture and an INFJ Approach

Important: In this post I am quoting other people's experiences and stories during Covid and the many views presented. Due to the volatile times we are in- I am keeping their identities anonymous.  This is not a cut and dry topic. There are so many differing stories...Could they all be true even though they are different? Why do we doubt one over the other? These are just the few LATEST of the MANY differing correspondences I receive. Some are local, others are global perspectives. 

" I have sadly been dealing with several deaths of my older friends (fondly called the Ancients in our circles)  right here in St. Louis.  I have lost TEN friends and acquaintances from back in NYC...old professors who would NOT stop riding the subway, and caught the virus from that contact, so we surmise.  Have dealt with that (including retrieving a body from one of the meat trucks used to house cadavers in the early days of the wave that hit NYC by PHONE.  Had to get one of the prisoners who were loading the dead to go into different cold trucks and find the toe tag of the "lost" elderly chum.  That way was able to arrange for him to be buried privately as he had planned, and NOT in the mass graves dug in one the islands in the NYS harbor."  It is like living on the edge of hell.  The two ancients here caught the virus."

"Covid has been deadly for people.. and in the beginning they mistreated lots of people thinking ventilators would help ect. when it was hurting some. Also saw stories of nurses saying they watched doctors literally not care and kill people ( in New York) just making stupid human errors."

"Thanks Kmarie, for your good wishes. I am glad that you and your family is safe. The situation is very difficult indeed. We are also confined to home and people are also fined for stepping outside home ( beyond 2 kms). My husband is still working from home. Schools, educational institutions are still closed. My brother had 50% salary cut at first and finally, lost his job as our nation's economic situation is bad right now yet slowly recovering. Situation improved a bit but after major festival season ( in October- November) many people went out in crowds to celebrate and it led to more spread and contamination. Shortage of hospital beds, medical facilities and added pressure/ risk on healthcare workers forced our government to take strong steps and introduce some regulatory measures."

"My mom has worked on nursing homes for the past twenty years and she says every year they loose almost half of their residents from common cold or flu because end on life even the simplest things ones body can’t handle. My mom said that this past year has been so hard on the residents and she has seen SO much depression and quick regression with dementia patients because they aren’t getting that family support they desperately need. She said people are dying very sad... she has called residents family members and told them that their family members are close to death and that if they actually want to be with them for the last days they needed to pull them out and have them at home because of covid protocals for a long time no one was allowed to see their families."

"I  think we are at the point that we all know covid can be dangerous... now it’s up to the individual to live in a way that is authentic to them.. if you are wanting to stay closed up then stay that way... of you need to socialize and others are willing then socialize. Ect."

“I had covid and while it was minor for many of my friends I am grateful for the nurses who knew to give my oxygen and helped my body fight. I am so thankful for healthcare."

"Yes, there are a lot of factors. Some nurses were laid off too, early on. And then they also close a whole unit with one positive case, so they have staff assigned to that unit only, which makes them unable to help out in other departments. Where I think staff are being overworked is probably in LTC homes. The cleaning and having to gown and mask up thoroughly between patients is probably taxing. Then again, some care homes the people are being totally neglected, so it's so hard to say what is really happening."

"Some people say "my friend, or my sister, or someone I know works as a nurse in Calgary/ Edmonton and they are swamped"! The thing is the hospitals are being poorly managed, as usual. Covid has made it worse than normal,  but by no means are hospitals overwhelmed at this point yet in many cases. At least in my area it is still pretty empty. Despite what the news says."

"As a practicing nurse, I can not say much for fear of my job but I will say that many of these protocols are damaging at the least and some things are being mis- reported."

"I can’t even speak this side without being completely censored but I am seeing discrepancies in health care. Those of us whom want to both be careful but the individual needs of our patients have many concerns."

"It’s very scary...there is deep division happening with a lot of stuff right now. It boggles my mind how the side that is pro v*ccine isn’t capable of looking at the other side. Good science would require you to do so and science is never settled." 

My note on this- Think back to the "Science" and ads in the 1950's when they said "abestos" is healthy for the home. Where would we be if the scientific process of questioning and challenging was not in continuous motion? Think of the bloodletting for fevers...There are so many examples from history where it was clearly wrong but the ones who called it or questioned it were seen as occultists, crazies or not worth listening to. Until later it was proven and considered mainstream and those people were still not thanked as they moved on to questioning other aspects. See picture below:

"My general mindset is that I firmly believe in lockdown and quarantine protocols."

"I consider myself far left but yeah, I don’t doubt that’s what’s going on, but I think we are being distracted by blaming it on either side.There are many videos and cases of this. Two sides of the government are at war right now- especially here in the States but it seems to be a global pattern."

"So much suffering. A county near us has had 10 suicides already this year and they rarely see suicide. There is no easy way to say a life is more valuable over another. I’m not sure that came out right... like is the life lost to suicide less worthy then the life lost to covid ?... I think we are going to look back on this historically and we are going to grieve and see the wrong steps that where made in the name of “health” and “preservation.'"

These are just a few examples of the myriad amount of stories and perspectives (within only my circles!)  at this time. It is NOT cut and dry. We are not all in the same boat. Some of us are dealing with similar aspects or protocols in certain places but even the virus affects different people differently. Luckily, with a 99.9 survival rate, it is much better than many other instances in history thus far. The deaths are still sad, as any deaths are. The risks are still real. But I hear many people summing up the tragedy of 2020 as strictly the year. Or that ultimately Covid is the problem. But what if it is ALSO how we are responding? What if it is our protocols that also make each death in isolation so tragic? What if...since the rates are low for certain populations to die...what if we allowed those healthy populations the CHOICE to see their dying loved ones if they washed and wore a mask but knew the risks? What if we allowed the elderly their visitors IF they decide the risks are worth it for them? Some will and some will not. What if we made it easier for those who choose to stay isolated indefinitely because they do not want to chance it? What if we didn't force testing on anyone presenting colds ect but those who are severe or needing different medical help? What if we supported the body and gave people the knowledge on how to stay home while sick, but be their best selves with the best chance of beating it? What if, we only mandated protocols on the places that actually had problems staffing their hospitals and allowing this to change? Many hospitals that are swamped initially then become empty...what if we went with more of a flexible flow approach? Of course this is way more complex but what if we chose to not guise fear as "protection." Fear leads to many wrong calls. We must not makes choices out of fear but out of balanced, contextual accounts.

Personally, my personality as an INFJ will naturally challenge and question protocols - it's what I am born to do ( see memes below.) It's why I am not popular but fine with it. It is why certain friendships of mine ebb and flow depending on the agreeableness of current events. (If they agree mostly they like me questioning but then a few years later if I am questioning the side they take then obviously this won't be the most favourite trait to them:) It's also why my friendship group can vary dramatically and why I can maintain friendships that are opposing in almost all of their viewpoints. Sometimes it hurts feelings that I can be friends with someone on the opposites side of such an important standard to someone. It can come across as fake or a sort of duplicity...but it's honestly that I see validity in both and can relate in different manners. I understand that it's tough to understand. INFJ's make up less than 2 percent of the population which is a good thing. It is just enough to have people out there that do what I do ...as it is needed too...but not enough to drive the main populace which would probably spell out disaster. I have INFJ's who completely disagree with me on certain things so we are not all the same in what we question. The meme below is true that I often question my own sanity due to the accusations that can be thrown my way or the people I sometimes lose in the process. But I also need to still grow, challenge and BE.

I don't believe that my way is the only way. Or I have all the answers...far from it. The more perspectives I see, the more questions I often have. For my own sanity, I do come to a few of my own conclusions but I never force them on others. I do however, get severely irritated at those whom refuse to consider at the very least. Or acknowledge there ARE other repercussions, ways to live, or ways to BE. In any political, social, emotional, physical or spiritual ways of being people in ANY mindset can still afford to flexibly consider the other. 

I am so lucky to have the friends that I do...recently I told a friend about my latest blog post and warning her that it may be upsetting for her but explaining why I wrote it...she wrote back; 

"Ok dear. I will try to focus on your blog posts which addresses general topics and ignore the ones which may elicit a strong response from me. I will focus on our friendship instead and all the common things that we shared and not where our opinions are opposite/ different. Take care, 💕💖"

If only we could resolve some deeper issue with that much grace. If only we could address contextual differences honestly but then focus on the similarities for the healing part. Because differences MATTER. We are not all the same. Our medical history is not the same. Our reactions to vaccines are not the same. Our ability to wear masks are not the same. Our beliefs are not the same. Our toleration of being alone are not the same. We NEED to make different choices. But where we are the same -are our hearts to prevent pain where we can, protect those we love, honour the grief of those who are different, and be in gratitude for those who can make us feel less crazy about our differences.  Maybe then we will be a little bit more tolerant of the outliers, rebels or the followers or sheep ( whichever side we feel we fall on more although we all have a bit of each in us.) 

Song Choice: The Lakes- Taylor Swift 

We are the World- Michael Jackson and Ensemble

30 QUESTIONS About Covid 19/ Coronavirus 2020

One of the key signs of a free country, place or relationship, is the toleration of questions. Questions are not answers but they can bring about change, tolerance, acceptance and truth. The world is in conflict over opinions and differences, but there is harmony too. When questions CAN be asked without fear of judgement, anger, retaliation, or indoctrination - then we know we are in safe places. It is important for ourselves to be able to ask OURSELVES the hard or detailed questions about topics that are crucial around us BEFORE we take a full stance...and even then, it is important, above all else, to consider the questions.

(Disclaimer: Just because I put these on here does not mean I do not have my own answers to some of them. Nor does it mean I have completely set myself on ONE determining side. Some of these I am still questioning, others I would surprise many of my friends with where I stand, while still others I am fairly mainstream. Regardless, this is NOT about me but about the questions.)

30 Questions on Covid- 19/ Coronavirus 2020:

1.) How do you feel about the Coronavirus situation in general? Do you have compassion for those whom are dying? Do you also have compassion for those that are healthy and need jobs to survive? Are there ways to honour both? 

2.) Do you believe the government and healthcare has the best interests of the people at heart? If you believe that they believe they do- is that a separate issue?

3.) How does this compare to other pandemics in the past?

4.) How did past pandemics overcome their struggles? Is there a big difference between the Plague or Influenza of the 1900s and what we are dealing with now?

5.) How do you feel about statements like "It's only 6 months, It's only for Christmas, It's only until there is a vaccine"? In history, when statements like that were touted about, did things change permanently? What historical moments followed these movements? Were they followed up with more freedom or less? How long did it take for that country or situation to recover?

6.) Are most of the nurses you know in full support of current protocols or are many whispering their dissent but following the rules out of fear?

7.) Compare the hospital situation in most countries to the overwhelm of hospitals in previous years. Google it. Have hospitals often been understaffed, mismanaged and overworked before? Also have you talked to professionals who deal with the morgues? Do they usually, each season, have over capacity?

8.) Have you gone into a hospital in a overworked region only to find it mostly empty? How do you feel about staff being assigned to one person with a positive case  in one ward at the expense of other departments?

9.) Are some care homes being neglected? Is it easy to make a clear statement on what is happening?

10.) Do you think it crosses a moral line to tell on your neighbour? Can loving your neighbour mean different rules in varying contexts?

11.) Do you think the amount of countries using emergency protocol since 911 has gone increasingly up? What does it mean if that continues to happen in regards to freedom and liberty? Or is it worth the exchange?

12.) Compare having to be tested to find out you have a virus to seeing the obvious signs everywhere (like in the Black Plague or Ebola) Does testing make you feel safer or less secure?

13.) A rule of good science is the requirement to look at the other side and it is never 100 percent settled. Do you feel that science is slanted in any way or is it giving it's due diligence?

14.) Are you pro or anti vaccine? If you are anti- vaccine have you read the past accounts of vaccines and their victories? If you are pro, do you listen to the stories of people who have had legitimate issues with vaccines and their stories? Are mandates ethical and a separate issue from vaccination? 

15.) Have you ever researched the company of VIOXX ( for arthritis) which killed 55,000 plus people? Mereck pulled if off the market because they were sued so they went on to develop HPV vaccine Gardisal ( the same company- different information.) Do you find that there can be adverse side effects to drugs and vaccines or is it better not to question that? Do you think drug companies should be sued over vaccines? Do you think there should be more accountability? Do you prefer not to know the counter issues? Do you believe a vaccine and drugs can both save and destroy lives? Can it be BOTH/ AND? How would that change our approach to people who have differing viewpoints?

16.) Do you think it is possible that there is often an agenda on either side? Is one side more "righteous" in regards to vaccines or approaches to health care? What could an agenda look like?

17.) Are we asking who is developing these vaccines? What do they have to gain besides the obvious boon of curing people, if anything? 

18.) Could vaccines be different for different people in regards to reactions or dangers? Is it possible that some vaccines are toxic while others change the world? Can it be a BOTH situation or is it clearly black and white?

19.) Have you researched the overall death rates in previous years (ex 2015, 2016, 2017) in comparison to the 2020 overall death rate? Do you know many people who had covid? How many of them only had a light cold ? How many had next to influenza symptoms but nothing more? How many were serious? Can this be comparable to other sicknesses? ( This changes from country to country and I am primarily asking Canadians in this question.) 

20.) Could money be part of the equation at all in any of these situations? Even if the people who are down the lines honestly believe in the true nobility of all health care, could there be corruption at the top lines? Can we blame healthcare workers or politicians who are trying their best to make the situation better for coming up with protocols? Should we ask them to consider or is it better to leave the stressed alone? If we do feel the need to bring up counter points how can we do this in a considerate, kind way? Do they deal with opposite concerns of theirs, in a kind and considerate way? Or are the clear lines of what should not be discussed?

21.) How do you feel about the media content each day? Do news titles that constantly tell projected deaths as opposed to deaths happening, cause more fear or less? Is fear a useful tool in fostering compassion and trust?

22.) How would it look if each year the media reported each death and their causes? How often would we hear about Ecoli deaths or Influenza or the sicknesses we have lived with for years? Would we approach those topics differently? How is it comparable? How is it not comparable?

23.) Does the media have an agenda? What could it be?

24.) Are all anti maskers 'bad'? Are all maskers 'sheep'? Do these 'all or nothing' statements help foster an overall trusting and caring environment?

25.) How helpful are masks when cases have gone up since using them? Or is the argument that cases have gone up because people are not wearing masks at home social gatherings? Does the math add up? How do masks help? How do they hinder? Can you flexibly list three reasons on EACH side?

26.) Did Fauci once talk about how masks increased viral pneumonia in the Influenza of the 1900s? Are the bacterial load of breathing in one’s own bacteria in masks healthy for the wearer? Can face shields be just as effective for spittle in most circumstances so at least there is air flow? Why are they not allowed in places like shopping where it is possible to be distanced? What was the science on masks saying a few years ago? Do the contagions pass through most masks, and if so, what is the reason they are being worn besides medical instances in close proximity? Does fresh air build immunity? On a side note socially- Is it important to see facial cues and foster a sense of trust in community? Is it possible to lessen Covid without masks and physical distance and washing? Is it more of a safety blanket or signal? Does it foster a sense of community or are people being divided into 'rebels' and 'sheep'? 

27.) Is it ok for anti mask rallies to be fined when the BLM rallies were not? What is the difference in these situations? Is there hypocrisy involved? Is it right for one protestor group to be favoured over another just because their causes are different? Where do we draw the lines? Is there a double standard according to whom is in charge at the time? What does this mean for our futures in any cause?

28.) Why are some Articles, Doctors and Scientists being censored or buried? Even if some of their arguments are flawed, is that a good way to foster balance, challenge or critical thinking? What does this say about the trust of most individuals to find their own way? Is this a form of control or is it an acceptable practice to weed out "wrong" sources? Why is this necessary now? 

29.) Is choice an important factor in any decision? Most of our choices affect other people, and to be human is to make mistakes, sometimes deadly ones either way...When is it ok, if ever, to take choice away? How do you feel about peace officers enforcing laws against people in your home? How do you feel about fines being in place for breaking 'temporary' laws? Does this cross any charter of rights and freedoms? Is it ok to do this sometimes or can it turn into future encroachments on freedom? The government can do whatever they wish, but is it ok for us to question some of these laws and do we respect those that have the bravery to do so?  How can we foster consideration of other people in our choices without enforcement?

30.) How are you taking care of yourself during these times of stress? How are you fostering community along with individualism? How can you show love but still hold your own opinions? How can you be flexible in thinking but still stand firm in your own ethics?

"I want to beg you, as much as I can, dear sir, to be patient toward all that is unsolved in your heart and to try to love the questions themselves like locked rooms and like books that are written in a very foreign tongue. Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given you because you would not be able to live them. And the point is, to live everything. Live the questions now. Perhaps you win then gradually, without noticing it, live along some distant day into the answer. To live the questions, it would seem, you have to first admit the questions to yourself. You have to admit the uncertainty in a world that doesn't value it. You have to be vulnerable in a world that considers it a weakness. You have to be you. You have to live with a child's curiosity."- Rainer Maria Rilke

Song Choice: The Show Must Go On- QUEEN

P.s. To be clear, I do believe that there is a more contagious virus happening and this is NOT an anti virus post. This actually isn’t about my opinions at all. These are rhetorical questions. Another one would be - if you have every single answer - are you ok with other people asking questions? Are you open to changing your mind on any or considering other viewpoints either way? 

https://trialsitenews.com/should-you-get-vaccinated/

Update December 2021: My post on vaccine racial and economic discrimination; https://worldwecreate.blogspot.com/2021/10/vaccine-apartheid-who-is-it-really-who.html?m=1

Another question: Why is the WHO and Oxford medical online not including information  to at least protect immunity or boost it on their sites? Why is there not, at this point in the pandemic, information on what to do when you get Covid and ways to ease suffering? Often pneumonia cases are what kills or hospital protocol - yet most are told to stay home and suffer and get help only when it’s too late. In regular Influenza we are at least told to up our immunity, take vitamin C and other symptom easers, drink lots, rest and definitely go to the hospital at the first signs of distress or insist on a lung x ray if feeling heaviness… and we would get in right away. Why are very sick people told to wait, forced to drive to different towns for care , or immediately put on damaging drugs in some situations? Blaming hospital overload with current and past numbers does not fully add up in most areas. Instead of seeing the flaws in our health care system set up - why are we just blaming whomever is different in approach from us? Why are we not asking our systems for more infrastructure, revitalization and budget accountability? Maybe we need a new approach?  Why are the unvaccinated being blamed when the cases have gone up in vaccinated people as well? Why have the variants directly coincided with the timing of more vx doses? Why has pneumonia gone up the longer society wears masks? 

Why are vaccine deaths being reported as Unknown cause on autopsy? (I have personally known two in my direct family as well as heard stories from other friends.) Part of this is because we haven’t had enough time for science to see the cause on autopsy to perhaps pick up on tiny clots - and many patients did not get a D Dimer test after vaccination… but why is the reporting unfair?  Why are symptoms also going under reported. While there is the legitimate VAERS website, many don’t know about it? A close family member had facial paralysis right after their shot - luckily it eventually eased up but they were advised another dose would be dangerous. Why was their event not followed up and not put on their chart? Why did other people report the same story? Why does this person now have to argue with each new Dr. they see when the Pharmacist and Dr. witnessing the event clearly stated another dose would be dangerous? Are we so blinded by our own agendas that we are not seeing the full picture? Is there less time for data on these newer vaccines as opposed to vaccines in the past? ( See my link on vaccines above…) 

In past history, without social media, if this virus was in your community eventually, you would have noticed more serious aspects, thought of it as a very bad flu, gotten treatment, hoped for a cure but it would not be what it is touted about in the news. Especially in isolated or rural areas. How does media hinder this situation ? 

Why are Drs getting in trouble for recommending ways to bolster immunity? Most of us are smart enough to know it’s not in the place of hand washing, time tested vaccinations or proper health care - so why does it cause such a fuss? Why are Drs. whom are legitimately helping people in unconventional ways being fired when we already have staff shortages? Especially if they are knowledgeable and respected in their fields? Can’t most of us decipher that vitamins may not save us but dosing can aid in bolstering immunity and body function? 

Another Witch Hunt

In the mid nineties my father was embroiled in the latest town scandal in which he received hundreds of letters because he allowed the Christian rock band "Petra" to play in the local college church in BLUE JEANS. He had threats to his job and hell fire . I did not know it at the time, but apparently I was scrutinized and attacked in some letters too...  For how I dressed in school or whom I associated with and how I conducted myself. My father loved Petra. He played it all the time when I was a child in the 80's. They were cutting edge in the Christian community at the time. Their long hair, ripped blue jeans and 'rock' music rocked the boat in multiple ways.

Since I have been little, I have witnessed many hunts on people due to many things. Growing up in a Christian community there were those who focused on grace and a smaller number who focused on hunting down sin and looking anywhere but themselves. Hypocrisy ran alongside compassion. I had to learn from an early age where to put my value, what words or people I should put stock into, and what hypocrisy looked like. Was it truly the devil in sheeps clothing on those accused as wolves? The outcasts or different or such? Or were the wolves the ones spreading the rumours, taking gossip or here-say and trying to make it truth, and destroying people's lives in the name of "God or goodness"?

My dad loved to blast this song called, "Witch Hunt" that still gets stuck in my head. Petra mostly put it on an album in response to all the Televangelists (at the time) talking about how 'Rock and Roll' had hidden messages of "devil worship." In the 80's there was a huge focus on Satanism and calling out anything that could be remotely aligned with what people thought was "bad." Many innocent people were thrown under the bandwagon in the name of "justice." Lives were ruined or degraded in the name of Jesus. Those who did such things thought they were on the right side of ethics...many of them probably still have such self righteous thoughts. Those who had zero doubts of their morality were the worst. Those who did not look at the log in their own eyes before pulling out the speck in others, perpetuated the worst of the hunts.

"Everybody look there's a new bandwagon in town 
Hop on board and let the wind carry you around 
Seems like there's not enough to keep us busy 'till the Lord comes back."

There will always be another bandwagon to climb on to. Many are worthy in a sense, but anything can be taken to extremes. I got in a lot of trouble as a teenager with some of my friends for standing against aspects of "Christianity." I also got in trouble for speaking for grace or not talking about certain people. I often felt I couldn't win and spent hours alone in my room, detoxing with candles and music. But I am grateful for these experiences. While I would doubt myself often, that healthy questioning led to a solid sense of whom I was and what I stood for. I also learned that I wanted to be open minded when it came to anything... good or bad, before I took any side. I realized the people who hurt my family most, were people who did things in the name of "goodness" and "God." The friend who committed suicide was jaded and gave in to lies of what worth was. Of what made a worthy existence. I realized I never wanted to be so "right" that I was so wrong. I also didn't want to give in to any opinion that was the opposite of LIFE. By life, I mean, anything that is true, beautiful, noble, kind, merciful yet boundary filled and full of love. 

"Don Quixote's gotta have another windmill to attack
Another witch hunt looking for evil wherever we can find it 
Off on a tangent, hope the Lord won't mind it."

Mass hysteria and community panic led to the Witch Hunts of the 1400s- 1700s. Are we repeating them in our own modern way? The stories are absolutely horrifying. Women were targeted but men also received some of the torture and death. Those who were different...midwives, herbalists, the disabled, unmarried, poor...were often the accused. It was unjust. It was repulsive and yet many "upstanding", "morally inclined" "good citizens" in varied communities were the perpetuators of injustice in the name of justice. They were upheld as pillars of society "cleansing" the world of those who are "wrong." 

There WAS a minority of people who WERE evil. Who practiced disgusting rituals and did indeed need justice. But it was such a small minority compared to the evils that were done to the people who were accused unjustly. Most of the fear was unfounded and fed by fantasy gossip. But fear is one of the toughest forces in the world to fight. Many terrible things are done from responses of fear in the name of all that is "just/ right."

Persecution mentality reigned and combined with mass hysteria, death from plagues and wars, and a general state of malevolence in the majority was disguised as righteousness. How did this mass delusion happen? How did the insanity of torturing a woman until she either confessed or died show that she was indeed of the devil? How did this become accepted as standard procedure with citizens either supporting by ignoring it or cheering it on? (If she died during torture she was deemed innocent but if she survived she was burnt at the stake or worse. Either way being accused was basically a death sentence.) 

"Another witch hunt, takin' a break from all our gospel labor 
On a crusade but we forgot our saber."

In Christianity there is a concept of "gospel labour" which is missionary work etc. Much of what Christians have done in the world is good. Many started the anti slavery movements globally, fought for the minority rights in places that were not even their own, and spread messages of love and tolerance. 

Unfortunately, many also joined empty crusades in the "name of goodness." Instead of focusing on the goodness they could plant, they focused on the bad they could correct, take away or sanction/ censor/ educate out of/ cancel in others. The irony of their actions was not understood. The hypocrisy was a label put on anyone but themselves. Is this the type of person I want to be? Is it whom you want to be, no matter what belief system you are a part of?

"There's a new way to spend all our energies 
We're up in arms instead of down on our knees 
Walkin' over dollars trying to find another dime 
Never mind the souls 'cause we really haven't got the time."

In my twenties, my time was spent healing from aspects of my upbringing. In many ways, I had a lot to be grateful for and part of the process was recognizing the ever present "AND/ BOTH." Unfortunately, wounds and trauma can take a lifetime to process but when we allow them to be our main story, the damage is more pronounced. There is a fine line where we learn to BE all that we are, but also fight against the wounds and accept what there is to accept and move forward. Those who are unable to have the support to do so or the ability or choose to be stuck, suffer more wounds and give more wounds to the world. Look to nature. The wounded animal can be the most dangerous. It’s imperative to safely transport it to a place of healing before it wounds itself and others more in its confusion.There were injustices done to myself and my family of loved ones in life. They demanded attention. But now I am thankful for the lessons they created. I can't change what was done, but I can take some good from it. That is my empowerment. That is where I choose to spend my energy. I hope we see SOULS and give the seeing of souls grace filled time.

It is only in my thirties that I have discovered a similar hypocrisy in the non religious environments/people I am part of. That was honestly a shock to me. From about age 25- 35 the non religious friends and environments healed me. In a way, it was so refreshing that no wrong could truly be done in my mind. I found so much excitement, acceptance, and healing from my new communities. It was akin to being newly in love and the first blush of exhilaration, strength, and entwined vulnerability. There is little time for the mundane or daily living. All things fall away in the face of new love. Becoming out of balance, if prolonged, is a large danger.

But as in any long standing marriage can attest to, as we age into things, time unravels the initial endorphins. While that is also real and a needed stage, the next phase in marriage takes it deeper. It is natural to mellow into the relationship. A new joy of comfortability emerges. But we also see the flaws we were blinded to before and have to learn to re balance. A successful partnership learns to work with the differences and similarities. 

In the last three years, I have faced a steep learning curve in the non christian community. A place that I found healing in has now caused large disruptions. I am seeing a similar hypocrisy. I am seeing patterns that mimic the community I grew up in. And I am realizing there truly is nothing new under the sun. I am realizing humanity takes on similar aspects of belief, no matter what the position, and there are the same types of zeal played out on a different stage. It's a constant battle for me to face my own zealous nature, mistakes made, and give myself both grace and boundaries before I implement them on others. Therapy helps with this and thankfully my children and husband and copious amounts of alone time, off line. But it's hard.

What do we spend our energy on? Do we spend it more on advocating for change without activating in our lives? By activating I do not mean participating in violent marches or dissolving other people's reputations, however strong the evidence is.  By activating in life, I mean BEING off our screens and accepting people around us. Looking for the poor, downtrodden, depressed or isolated in our communities and giving in some way...our time if we can, or some of our garden extra's, or even a kind word or spreading kind thoughts. Are we spending our energy sending out goodness instead of accusations?

"So send out the dogs and tally ho 
Before we sleep tonight we've got miles to go 
No one is safe, no stone's left unturned 
And we won't stop until somebody gets burned."

Read that last lyric again. Does it sound familiar in this time in history? Often we think we are the hunted but what if we, by a strange twist of perspective, we are the hunters? What if by thinking we are the prey we become the predators? 

Do we stop to sleep and rest which enables our perspective taking? Do we harm safety in the name of safety? Are we protecting things that have multiple layers to them? Are we forgetting that the true evil of people often hides? Devious, manipulative, cruel, dismissive, discriminatory, hateful organizations/people often pull the strings of larger components from the dark corners. Sometimes, it is not until centuries later that we are shocked to find truth under the rubble of “good intentions.” 

While it is good to strive for justice, love mercy, and engage in compassionate acceptance, often on "hunts" people are so concerned about condemning others for trivial matters that they forget the larger wrongs. The wrongs that are devious and gleefully taking pleasure in the fact that many are falling for the wrong reasons. Instead of being active and becoming what is believed to be right, it's easier to throw shade around and cancel another person.

Personally I don’t want to spend my energy looking for evil wherever I can find it. When it happens to me or my loved ones that is more than enough. Life brings disaster, injustice, grief and anxiety naturally to our door or it breaks it in. We rise and fight when it’s required. But other times it is not there. It’s what we choose to open our door for that says what we are about. I want to choose to look for goodness and shut the door on the evil I can, but definitely not seek it out in the name of all that is holy. I did that once as a teen and it was a disaster. Hopefully that lesson stays.Why are we requiring contrite apologies for people whose only mistake was living and surviving in the times they were put in? Where celebrities won roles and took the job honoured to be playing a part like Nina Simone but now have to confess to their “sins”? Fans banning the brilliance of J.K Rowling (Harry Potter) books due to personal statements? How have we come to this? How is this making the world better and more tolerable?

There ARE things we must fight for. But often they are right in front of our face. They are the moments when we bravely speak into a true moment of friendship. When we choose kindness over exploding or allowing our emotions to reign. It’s when we consider differences and invite them to our table in understanding instead of correcting. It’s that moment when we have enough change to give to the homeless even if we think it may not be used appropriately. It’s also that moment when we don’t give to the homeless because we only have enough grocery money for our children. So instead we send out good vibes and prayers and make our grocery money count. It’s when we see someone being mocked by our own friends or family - and even if we see merit in some of the things they say- we decide to leave the conversation, kindly change the subject or address it (but gracefully.) Its those moments when we can kindly diffuse a situation, by showing that it may not be ignorance, or intolerance, or brutality, but simply another difference. It may have been another time of history when the words we outlaw now, WERE a form of advocacy. Yes, we need to evolve, grow and change in our language usage too, but showing that it’s not all malicious intent speaks to fear. The less fear, the less disruptive violence happens.

The more we can calm fear instead of escalate it, the less witch hunts will happen in the name of “justice.” In fighting against monsters are we creating larger, more nefarious monsters? Are we actually hiding the true monsters on our smaller witch hunts of dissection and cancellation?

                                                         

You can read more about this - The subject matter can get intense. I chose links that were less graphic than some I have read (in which I had to try not to throw up the details.) The post can apply to so many aspects and nuances of culture right now that touches all forms of life. https://www.britannica.com/event/Salem-witch-trials

https://www.britannica.com/topic/witchcraft/The-witch-hunts

To those who personally love me- if I ever do this to you or others ( witch hunt) please gently remind me of larger issues of love and justice. I know I’ve been both the minority and majority . Both make mistakes and both make the world better. Help me spread love.

*Yes, if you notice, I do have a lot of good witchy imagery. It started with Galinda in Wizard of Oz when I was young and then in adulthood - my love of the Broadway play "Wicked" in which I could relate to Elphaba during my Autism diagnosis and it spiralled from there... Also, witches do not believe in the devil or satan so getting Witches/Wicca mixed up with Satanism is vastly missing the mark. They are two different belief systems/ lifestyles.*

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=FjZtYteCBVM

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=G8I-05bV-E0

Song Choice witch hunt - Petra :https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=18CDRT7d_PM&app=desktop

Ablaze - Alanis Morisette