Just a random thought about Twitter, sports & our brains on this Thursday…

I wonder how many folks have heard of neuroplasticity & understand the ways we can change how our brains react to situations simply by being intentional in our thinking over time. (1/) Repeated thoughts—like gratitude practice—can create synapses in our brains to get us to places/moods/reactions faster (like bridges/shortcuts).

Only in recent decades has science come to understand that, even in adult life, learning can change the structure of the brain. (2/)

Sharing this conversation from Around The Horn today.

It’s incredibly important and nuanced and I’m thankful we had some time to discuss - though much more time is needed. (I know, I know: Insert Stugotz joke here)

I want to point out four things: (1/) 1) I’ve got far more to learn about the dynamics at play, but I was drawn to research the larger context because of specific quotes from Kyrie in response to the Alex Jones tweet and the film/book he shared. (2/)

I've been in podcast recordings for hours and I'm now working my way through the lengthy Sally Yates report.

I want to make clear that I'm outraged. I've been outraged for quite some time, and the new information in here is all the more upsetting. (1/) I haven't been able to & still can't speak publicly on a lot of this -- and in many cases public posts would be satisfying to all of you & cathartic to me, but ultimately not helpful to the larger goal -- but I assure you I've been doing everything I can to influence change. (2/)

I know I'm not alone in thinking about death and loss a lot lately, so... (quick thread) In the last year we've lost an unimaginable number of people, and they've left us in a way that feels distant, surreal, almost cinematic. Deaths that have been visceral & tangible only for those tasked with honoring & managing what remained, both physical & incorporeal. 1/

A quick thought:

It might sound simple, but we don’t get to choose the body we inhabit. And the moment we learn that that body might decide our opportunities—whether because of gender, race, disability or otherwise—is a cruel one.

(1/) So when you see someone like you do something that someone like you has never done before, it’s moving in a way that almost can’t be described.

Straight, white, cis men...I ask you this genuinely & without judgement:

(2/)

And unless massive change occurs between now & then in our country, @ReneeMontgomery, the history books will likely paint these domestic terrorists as sympathetic figures pursuing a justified fight.

One of our country's biggest problems is each generation being fed the...

https://twitter.com/ReneeMontgomery/status/1347409634764730370

...same lies--about equality for all, about a country built on bravery not theft, about what we stand for as a people--only to grow up & learn the truth. Rinse & repeat, with every generation believing the progress made during their lifetimes will be the difference...

I quickly want to address the mortality talking point when it comes to COVID, as some people continue to use % likelihood of death as the only meaningful statistic.

They might just be disingenuous/sowing discord but just in case it stems from a true lack of understanding...(1/) Death is, of course, the worst possible outcome of COVID, but it’s not even close to the only outcome. No, you aren’t automatically “healthy again a week after you get it” as someone recently drooled into my TL.

The thing that scares me the most about getting it, beyond (2/)

I’ve been seeing similar logic all over social media forever. The idea that someone’s rap sheet or unresolved alleged crimes should factor into our feelings about their unnecessary death/maiming at the hands of police.

The answer is and always will be no. (1/)

https://twitter.com/someguyoffthest/status/1299088493524721673

It’s not up to police to execute people for alleged crimes—nor crimes in progress, for that matter, if they can avoid it.

I know if “Gary’s” family member was murdered by police for an alleged offense instead of tried in a court of law he wouldn’t be defending it. (2/)

A white teenager with a long gun shot and killed two people and wounded another last night in Kenosha. A crowd of everyday, unarmed citizens chased him down trying to stop and apprehend him, while three police cars rolled right by and did nothing.

He was apprehended today. (1/) Per CBSNews: “His posts indicate he is extremely pro-police & appears to have been a former police explorer, a career-oriented program for youth considering a career in law enforcement. Many of his social media posts use the phrase ‘Blue Lives Matter,’ according to the ADL.” (2/)

Since my tweet got shared by someone w/ a ton of followers without context (it was in response to a reporter’s defense of Thom Brennaman, claiming “cancel culture” got him) & some of the many responses seemed genuinely interested in discussing, some final thoughts on this: (1/) The phrase “Cancel Culture” started its peak during #MeToo when criminals/harassers got their deserved comeuppance.

It was an evolution of the already-established, oft-cruel social media act of public shaming & piling on. (Remember Justine Sacco? nytimes.com/2015/02/15/mag…)
(2/)

The fact that there was a noose in the garage was REAL, not fake news. Full stop.

It's been there for months & it's a noose-like door pull. Is that what a regular door pull looks like? If so why wouldn't Bubba's team member & all involved parties at NASCAR recognize that? (1/) Why are you mad at the "media" when NASCAR itself announced the incident via a statement & NASCAR itself demanded a hate crime investigation?

If a sports league reports a federal investigation into what THEY believe is a hate crime, shouldn't media report that? (2/)

A quick thought on Chappelle's "8:46." But 1st, to (attempt to) prevent the inevitable anger whenever anyone criticizes him:

1) I think Chappelle is a genius
2) No, I won't just "not watch"--that's not how cultural criticism works
3) I'm not saying he's an -ist or -phobe. (/1) The good: "8:46" offers up an example of how stand-up shows might work in the foreseeable future & Chappelle's considerable talents were on display as he harnessed anger/sadness into a powerful plea for change. He didn't need to crack jokes, he let us sit with our pain. (2/)

For those who are defensive/combative in convos about police reform because of your connection to & love for individual officers:

I understand where you're coming from. My aunt & uncle are retired police chiefs. I love them & understand the danger & honor in their work. 1/ But I also understand that defense of institutions is a dangerous thing. Experts warn that sexual predators & serial criminals seek out places where they can count on the protection of loyal followers & supporters, whether it be a college campus, a church or the military. 2/

Finally watched the new Chappelle. In trying to be “edgy” I actually found him to be predictable. It felt like a long, intentional provocation punctuated by a couple smart, clever jokes. “Rich guy punches down” just doesn’t move me. (1/) Neither does “rich guy protects other rich guys by blaming ‘cancel culture’ for their abuses of power.” (See:Defending Michael Jackson & Louis CK) Many bits relied on shallow takes on major issues that everyone else has been talking about for a while earnestly & thoughtfully.(2/)

THREAD

Last night I got on the rental shuttle & the only occupant, a man in his 60's, said to me "I told the guy he could only stop on the way to dropping me off if it was for a pretty girl." I responded as I always do, with humor, "I guess we'll have to keep looking then." (1/) I smiled & then buried myself in my phone. He continued, talking to the driver, "Yeah, you can just drop me off by the stairs up there & then you & this beautiful girl can go together wherever you two wanna go." And the driver said, "We're going to go to the lot so she (2/_)