Thread by @shaunjlawson

At this increasingly optimistic hour, here's a short thread reminding us about what we all face. The appalling threat which democracy everywhere will continue to face long into the future. A threat which will likely become ever more sophisticated; ever more dangerous.

Three anecdotes.

1. I teach many students. They're all smart, kind, decent people. On Tuesday, I asked one of them if she was following the US election. She said:

"Well, I don't know too much... but I've seen a video of Biden with children. He's a bad man".

2. On Wednesday morning, with me having been up almost all night following the results, I asked another student. He said:

"I've heard there's been lots of fraud".

3. I've just got off the phone with a close, dear, much loved friend. She's not at all stupid; in fact, she's one of the most emotionally intelligent, perceptive people I've ever known. She's American and voted for Biden - so I thought she'd be happy. Nope.

She said this:

"I really wanted to talk to you before I voted because I couldn't decide... it's like pick your poison...

I don't trust Biden. He's a racist... He has dementia...

Shaun, instagram have been banning conservative accounts just for having an opinion!"

She also thinks Covid is man made. 😐

I repeat: she is not stupid. Very far from it. She knows about and she sees all the problems in the world - she knows that *something is very very wrong* with that world.

And then she goes on social media and her head is filled with shit.

Like those students I mentioned go on social media and their heads are filled with shit.

Watching videos which *seem* legit - I mean, the camera never lies, right? And if social media are shutting people's accounts, what are they trying to hide, right?

I've had, um, stern words with two of these individuals this week. Pleading with them to stop and think. Demanding they educate themselves from authoritative sources, and stop assuming everything they read must be true.

But I doubt I got very far.

It's very very hard to change people's views without patronising them and without them feeling like they're being insulted. They have as much right to their opinions as anyone else - but without wanting to sound like a twat, ignorance will never, ever be equal to knowledge.

My friend is the most incredibly kind, gentle soul. She is desperate for action on the environment. She knows we're destroying the planet.

But 'pick your poison'? When at this very moment, Trump is trying to incite violence and endanger electoral officials?!

It's insane. I was about to say "people just can't see through it" - but they have. 51-52% of Americans have. They've seen through the lies, the bullshit, and have helped save their country.

But my God, do we need education about fake news. Everywhere. Its impact is terrifying.