Reading these responses is so sad. I can see that a large number of people on here have fully embraced cynicism and active pessimism. This is the most damaging attitude possible when trying to create change. If you have this mindset, you’re not only not helping to make positive change, you’re actively working to drain any energy from those who might be in a better and more productive place than you.

To the OP, don’t give up hope. There are thousands of people around the country working right now to change things and resist the downfall of our country in whatever ways they can. The number is growing every day with each new outrage and attack, and energy is building quickly. If you can’t donate your time, donate your money to progressive organizations (look up the 50501 project for help finding them).

Nothing is going to change with blind optimism, but history is on our side, and it shows that when things start to hurt for people in their day to day lives, real change is possible. This is not the first fascist takeover in history, and it won’t be the last. Some older folks have literally lived through similar times in our own country (see: McCarthyism for example). Nothing is inevitable and no one can predict the future, no matter how believable their claims may sound.

To the cynics, you’re absolutely allowed to feel how you feel. I feel quite cynical myself a lot of the time, too. Just remember that when you mock and shout down people trying to move forward, you help create the future you’re so resigned to. Not all of us are so ready to roll over and take it. If you won’t help, please at least get out of the way.

/soapbox

Thanks for saying it. People on here really seem to think this is the first fascist regime in history.

I’m surprised magas care so much about the pope considering they don’t follow any christian morals or tenets.

NSFL tag on Lemmy when

Day walker 😯

This 100%. I barely joined here because of how confusing it was. Having to pick a community is a big turn off if you just want to try something casually.

As much as I’d love to see mastodon grow, I feel like a lot of people here like to ignore the number one most important feature of a social network: who’s on it.

I believe you guys are also leading the nation on new renewable energy projects right now!

The Tarrant County GOP went 0-for-11 in the county’s three largest cities: Fort Worth, Arlington, and Mansfield. Let that sink in. They didn’t just lose a few races. They got shut out entirely.

Good shit, Texas!

I was expecting another level of zoom with saddam

I read this too. I’m hungry…

Buy indie instead 😄

I don’t have a personal account but I live in near a tourist destination not far from the border and there were still plenty of BC license plates around this year (though a big drop compared to last year, and I don’t blame them). In other words a lot of people are still making it through apparently.

I think with a task like that it’s hard to judge the response. Many people feel like they’re being a burden asking for helpers with things like that, so they may have felt like they were doing you a favor by letting you off the hook when you asked.

To be honest if I were you I would start inviting these people to fun stuff and see what happens. If you try that a few times and you just get dismissive or wishy-washy responses then you probably have your answer and can focus your attention elsewhere.

If you’re not hanging out with them already you don’t have anything to lose by trying to push the issue a bit. If they really want to hang out they’ll be receptive, even if you have to do some negotiating on a time that works for everyone.

I can definitely say that my friend circle shrunk a lot as I got into my 30s. I also stopped drinking in my late 20s and while I kept a bunch of friends, there were also some I used to have that were so drinking focused in everything they did that we drifted apart naturally after that.

As we get older we get busier. I wouldn’t assume it’s personal. It takes effort to stay in touch in adulthood and both people have to make an effort and want to. I don’t want to assume what you’re doing, but that part about the house does make me wonder if you’re falling for a classic pattern of expecting others to reach out even though you yourself don’t? I’ve been guilty of this too sometimes, but I think it’s good to remember that that kind of expectation can actually make what you’re afraid of a reality. The other people might wonder if you still want to hang out since you never initiate.

Again, don’t mean to assume about all that, so ignore it if it’s not helpful.

Never seen this before. What was it good against?

So I guess 4chan is back already huh?

This! These things are a big pet peeve for me. Such a waste.

Holy shit 😆

Wake up babe, new male just dropped!