For me, the most pressing issue of these times is how to avoid nihilism, build community, love people. I know it sounds woo woo but I’m frankly out of other ideas.

@skinnylatte I think that's really it, and I don't think it sounds woo-woo at all.

In my mind those are foundational components of real solidarity, so aside from it being a kinder and better way to live life, it's also an effective political strategy important in building the kind of movement needed to push complacent Democrats and resist Trump.

@skinnylatte We really have departed from a society where people give a shit about their neighbors, not necessarily intentionally but because so many aspects of our daily life support and reinforce rugged individualism.

I think there are pockets of community emphasis around the country, but en masse, it's "worry about yourself" for most.

This is how to get us back on track.

@distractal @skinnylatte It is intentional, but not from those immersed in the culture -- from those creating the culture in the first place. The "rugged individualism" lie has always supported the wealthy with the pretense that they "earned and deserve" their obscene lucre. The system was designed to make people not care about each other. See also: the lunatics demonizing empathy.