Okay, so it's gonna get dark, darker than it already it is, when it comes to the social media influences of rants and raves with hollow and illogic information, filled with fear based emotional underpinnings. Thus, it is vitally important that to prepare for this coming apocalypse one be fully and regularly educated. This may seem a daunting reality when placed alongside the other parts in this series, self-care and healthy community interactions especially. But, if done in a mindful way that can be organized neatly into one's own daily schedule, it is a tool in the box, a weapon in the arsenal of love, that can be brought out without effort.
As a professional gig-worker, one of my regular gigs is as a dog-walker. I can walk up to three hours a day with dogs across town, driving to and fro, in between running errands, then afterwards running to a life modeling gig. Within that time, it affords me the ability to turn on a news, current events, and politically focused podcasts instead of other listening options. Truth be told, I do vary my media diet with some fun 'bubble-gum' types, like 9021OMG, Fly On The Wall with Dana Carvey & David Spade, and Drunk Ex-Pastors to name a few, self care is important and having fun is an important part of such. In addition, I have a regular news feed app that drops articles throughout the day based on breaking and updated news. I am an avid fan of Youtube and follow many a channel, such as Crooked Media, Brian Tyler Cohen, and The Young Turks, which provide commentary and information about current events. These podcasts, videos, and articles I share regularly as I consume them. I do my best to not share memes on social media, but rather flood my social media sites with actual research done. In the age of such heightened technology, the ease of research is one to be taken advantage of with utter mindful focus.
I state, with utter mindful focus, because it is vitally important to understand that within every news media source as well as every human being ever there is an inherent bias. With all the news media and commentary podcasts and videos I consume, I am grateful that as each host reports and comments on news and current events they understand and openly recognize their own inherent bias as well as that of the company they represent. As well, I must understand and openly recognize my own inherent bias within myself, based on my upbringing, my own privileges, education, and life experiences afforded me.
Understanding and recognizing one's own bias, now it's time to begin the journey of personal education and research, for the greater good as well as for your own. Limit not your research to that of current events and the political, study history to see just how we find ourselves 'doomed to repeat', as well as your own personal interests that light up your life. A well-rounded human being that regularly educates themselves is one developing the skill of critical thinking, which more than anything else, will enhance the degree of communicating with those that agree and disagree, helping to soothe the emotional arguments that divide, helping to bring unity.
Media sites I regularly consume:
