Thread by @magi_jay

We have to start connecting the dots. Here are 2 examples:
1. Climate Scientist @MichaelEMann, writing about how Doom is exploited by Russia to degrade climate change action
2. Historian @TimothyDSnyder, writing about how Doom has been exploited by Russia & fascists everywhere

I began to connect the dots earlier this year. I had been feeling doom since 10/7. Doom b/c of all the real, awful events. Then doom b/c of what felt like a shared reality & purpose becoming unraveled. Doom at what felt like an inability to influence anything. Loss of agency.

I began to think of known tactics that were used by both Russia and Trump in 2016. These tactics were to "Divide and Conquer." To pit allies against each other. To shred shared truth. To manipulate extant divisions. To depress the entire electorate. "Discourage or demobilize."

One morning, I randomly picked up Timothy Snyder's 2018 book "Road to Unfreedom." I read about the function of doom in authoritarian movements. The function of doom in Russia. The function of doom in Russian propaganda.

https://twitter.com/magi_jay/status/1812899350395359384

After reading "The Road to Unfreedom" & thinking about the doom all around me, the doom in my own mind, I asked myself, "Has this popped up elsewhere, not just in electoral politics?" I found my answer in @MichaelEMann's work on climate doomerism.

I cannot tell you, now, exactly what is going on. I do not know how much of this arises from our own minds or our own trauma, or how much of it arises from Russian interference, social media more broadly, etc. etc. etc. I can say other things w/ confidence, however.

-Russia wants Trump to win
-Russia uses Doom as a tactic, as do the Republicans
-Russia uses "Divide and Conquer" as a tactic, as do Republicans
-People are messaging me saying they've never felt so helpless

-The American election is tied right now, despite relentless negativity directed at just one side (Democrats). It's still tied.
-We are living in an era of vibes.
-We have it within our power to change the vibes from Doom to hope.

Non-partisans are not paying attention. Non-partisans are done w/ politics. COVID was just too much. People are not into this anymore. That's why they react so powerfully to "vibes." We need to change the vibes.

Here is something that is empirically true, not just an opinion: This election, as any American election would be, is numerically, scientifically, *winnable* by either political party. Here is something I strongly believe: We can & will win if we change the vibes.

We need to be united. We need to be strong. We need to be joyful. We need to have passion. We need to have confidence. This is how we win American elections. Trump is unpopular. Nobody even cares he just got shot at. Now is Go Time. Put everything else aside & act like a winner

Whether it's coming from Russia, from ourselves, or, as is most likely, an interaction, the Doom will be what defeats us. We are not so powerless as we believe. We can change the vibes so when non-partisans tune in, they see people they want to stand with. We decide our future.

Start treating Trump as someone who can be beaten. Start showing faith & confidence & joy in our own side. In the fight--this righteous fight--against American Fascism. Trump is *so* beatable. But only if we act like we believe we can beat him.

Don't engage in nit-picking. Or infighting. Block anyone--Russian Troll or otherwise--who is attempting to counter your hope w/ their doom. Engage in Uber Cringe. In Hope. In the joy of being a warrior for the Right Thing. Lift up your friends. Lift up Biden. Reject all Doom.

Our weaknesses are being exploited. This election is winnable for either party. However, the more we engage in infighting & despair, the more winnable it becomes for the authoritarians. If we change course, I Believe That We Will Win.