Dan Zbichorski
mastodon
4.5.7
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If you are watching #minnesota and want to know what you can do.
1st, give to any of the #mutualaid groups that are out there. 2nd, thank you. 3rd, I offer this list of action items.
1. Avoid info kettling: Have >1 sources of information on >1 platforms. DON’T trust any large US owned media/info outlet. Even the ones that seem friendly are censoring huge parts of stories, spinning facts, & engaging in subtle disinformation & propaganda.
2. “Adopt” a Minnesotan: If you’re outside the U.S., follow a specific Minnesotan & have multiple ways of hearing from them even if there were a media blackout. We’re going to need ways to get around censorship & other communication disruptions. If you’re in the USA, adopt a few Minnesotans who are doing the work & learn from each other.
3. Neighbor Hard: Get Signal & start building your contacts & groups. Force yourself to build connections, strengthen those connections through repeated contact. Share face to face food, fire and music. Find the helpers & wise people & try to emulate them.
4. Contingency Planning: Start making your “what if” plans for various scenarios. Talk about them with people you trust.
5. Do: If you see a need, meet it, but not by yourself. Don’t assume someone else will take it up. Find a group, start a group, tell people about it. Don’t ignore it. Engage in your community. Engage in the political process.
6. Build Skills: Start with square breathing. Suggestions: Learn stress management. Study for a Ham license. Learn a little first aid. Grow a tomato. Learn Singing Resistance songs. Learn a few words of another language starting with "Thank you”. Explore DBT skills.
7. Security: Improve your security a little bit each day. Learn about passwords, scams, surveillance, legal rights, mutual aid, civil rights, oppression techniques, information security, operational security.
8. Document: Make videos, write it down, take pictures.
9. Learn History: Ask a librarian about the local history you might not be aware of. Ask people to tell you something about history that you might not know.
10. Be Uncomfortable: Learn how to be uncomfortable. Don’t turn away when something hurts. Bear witness to the pain of others. Learn how to grieve.
Sean Snow writes these lovely daily catch-ups about Minnesota and posts them to various socials. I couldn’t find an account for them here, so I’m reposting.
https://open.substack.com/pub/ldz451/p/the-cracks-can-be-beautiful
Today I learned that the VA is taking down the Alex Pretti memorial outside their facility.
I think we should rename the building The Alex J. Pretti Memorial VA Hospital.
If you agree with me, start talking about it.
Today I learned that the VA is taking down the Alex Pretti memorial outside their facility.
I think we should rename the building The Alex J. Pretti Memorial VA Hospital.
If you agree with me, start talking about it.
Remember when the only ways to communicate with someone was face-to-face, the telephone and postal mail? The number of potential ways to message someone now must be in the hundreds at least. Keeping in touch with folks requires multiple clients and multiple addresses and there's multiple reasons your message might not get there, be read, be understood. #communication #messaging
I've just got the Tasks plugin for obsidian working and so far it looks like it's going to be great for keeping myself organized. #obsidian #tasks #organization
“Thanks.” Right now this can be difficult to say, but this is one of the most powerful phases in any language.
Take a moment to be appreciative of the first thing you see.
Do this at least once a day.
It will change things for you.
It’s a simple, easy practice that has complex powerful results.