1/OK, here it is: The POSITIVITY THREAD!!
In this thread, I'm going to post positive stuff that Americans are doing. It's going to be an ongoing thread, so I'm not going to end it right now. Instead, I'll post positive things as I see them, over the next couple of months.
In this thread, I'm going to post positive stuff that Americans are doing. It's going to be an ongoing thread, so I'm not going to end it right now. Instead, I'll post positive things as I see them, over the next couple of months.
2/A little background. About a month ago I wrote a thread griping about how Americans now just sit around griping about things:
3/At the end, I promised to do a positivity thread:
So this is that.
So this is that.
4/Now, first, a disclaimer:
1. Everything has a downside, so some of you will have the urge to respond "But this isn't positive, because of X"
2. Every human does bad things, so some of you will have the urge to respond "But this person is bad because she did X"
1. Everything has a downside, so some of you will have the urge to respond "But this isn't positive, because of X"
2. Every human does bad things, so some of you will have the urge to respond "But this person is bad because she did X"
5/OK. If you feel like being a Negativo, go ahead and lambast stuff I think is positive. I won't block you or get mad or try to start a fight.
I'm just going to post more positive stuff.
I'm just going to post more positive stuff.
6/Let's start with a @JamesFallows article: theatlantic.com/notes/2016/06/…
Fallows has been traveling all across America, observing how many real communities don't have anything like the divisive bitterness that characterizes American social media and politics. Give it a read.
Fallows has been traveling all across America, observing how many real communities don't have anything like the divisive bitterness that characterizes American social media and politics. Give it a read.
7/Next, I want to repost this article about how suburban women in America are quietly organizing against Trump: democracyjournal.org/arguments/midd…
8/Next, check out these kids who invented a way to purify lead in school drinking fountains: washingtonpost.com/local/educatio…
Forget the stupid troll hackers, these kids are amazing and great. Go lead removal!!!
Forget the stupid troll hackers, these kids are amazing and great. Go lead removal!!!
9/Everyone knows about James Shaw Jr., who risked his life to save people in a Waffle House, but since that was pretty recent, let's put it here too!
10/And how about this guy, who tipped off the FBI and stopped a bunch of terrorists from killing immigrants?
huffingtonpost.com/entry/right-wi…
huffingtonpost.com/entry/right-wi…
11/Speaking of immigrants, look at these Michigan leaders who are trying to make immigrants feel more welcome:
12/Oh, as long as we're talking about heroes, the guys who tried to stop the Portland train stabber certainly deserve a mention, even though it was a year ago:
13/And as long as we're talking about young inventors, check out Keiana Cavé: michigandaily.com/section/statem…
WOW!
WOW!
15/OK that's just a taste, but I'm going to post lots more stuff here as I come across it!
POSITIVITY!!!
POSITIVITY!!!
16/This guy makes it his mission to interview WW2 vets while they're still alive! cbsnews.com/amp/news/why-o… (ht @TM0s41)
17/Here's a Chinese businessman working to turn a small Texas town into an international destination for education, medicine, and senior living! tylerpaper.com/news/local/chi… (ht @PeytonWXYZ)
18/If you know good examples of positive stuff in America, send it over!
(Remember: This is for positive stuff people are DOING, not for documenting positive trends! For positive trends, follow @MaxCRoser and @DinaPomeranz.)
(Remember: This is for positive stuff people are DOING, not for documenting positive trends! For positive trends, follow @MaxCRoser and @DinaPomeranz.)
19/Here's a startup helping to fight heart disease; techcrunch.com/2016/10/20/car…
And one providing in-home senior care:
techcrunch.com/2015/04/02/an-…
And one providing fast deliveries of life-saving medical supplies: technologyreview.com/s/610735/zipli…
And one providing in-home senior care:
techcrunch.com/2015/04/02/an-…
And one providing fast deliveries of life-saving medical supplies: technologyreview.com/s/610735/zipli…
20/Jillian Hishaw has an organization that is helping black farmers in the Southeast stay on their land: civileats.com/2018/05/04/jil… (ht @_eleanorina)
21/Here's another whole (long-running) thread I'm doing about cool media stuff being created by Asian-Americans!
22/The Center for Youth Development Through Law teaches law to poor minority high school students in and around Oakland and Berkeley! idealist.org/en/nonprofit/4… (ht @Augustus709)
23/There is a record-breaking number of women running for office: npr.org/2018/02/20/585…
24/Not to mention a record-breaking number of people with STEM backgrounds running for office: e360.yale.edu/digest/a-recor…
25/Here's an article about a new labor movement trying to improve conditions for American workers, working outside the traditional union system: citylab.com/equity/2018/05…
26/I don't know why I love Science Kids so much, but I do. Here are some young kids working on 3d printing. I especially like the 3d-printed prosthetic arm that shoots glitter: popsci.com/three-kid-inve…
And here's a kid who wants to recycle styrofoam!
And here's a kid who wants to recycle styrofoam!
27/This company is making big progress against diabetes! blog.virtahealth.com/virtas-quest-t…
28/If I chronicled all the awesome stuff American scientists are working on, it would fill 100 threads, and you'd probably get bored and unfollow me!
news.stanford.edu/2018/04/30/new…
news.stanford.edu/2018/04/30/new…
