There is a lot going on in the world today, from disasters such as the wildfires in Los Angeles fueled by the climate crisis, deliberate chaos brewing during the transfer of power between executive administrations, and the vast technological shift into the beginning of the machine-learning age. Thinking about everything at once will just overwhelm anyone attempting to tackle it all. Approaching this new world should be a strategic collective effort within reason.
We have a guide from scientists for what to expect with climate change, a play-by-play from the current administration in the form of Project 2025, and everyone in the tech space knows that we can’t put the discoveries made in the field of AI back into the box. News surrounding these topics will happen more frequently as time passes. This is so much easier said than done, but you shouldn’t let the news overwhelm you. You will just end up defeated and trapped in a downward spiral. You also shouldn’t put your head down and ignore everything either.
How can an oligarchal government destroy the ability of a community to come together, organize, and fight against its authoritarian power? To disperse a crowd, law enforcement uses access control, barriers, area closure, crowd monitoring, and understanding the psychology of the crowd as techniques to avoid any unlawful or unwanted behavior. They have a plan that includes mitigating risks and using their presence as an intimidating and visible deterrent. A population can be controlled by controlling their access to information. They are watched, studied, and corralled into specific spaces to act in the way that the governing authority feels is appropriate. What you can do to push back is to stay informed as much as you are able to do so and to find and help build your community. Your priority, however, is to do so within your own compacity.
There are individuals, such as myself, who can easily shift habits to participate in boycotts of companies, organizations, and products. That comes as a standard with being a vegan while living in one of the largest metropolitan cities in the world. There are others in rural spaces or food deserts with limited options who cannot just rearrange their life to participate in a boycott or even feel that’s where their advocacy and activism lie. However, they can get to know their neighbors and do the best they can to watch out for one another. Many people may be unable to donate food and funds to others, but they may have time to donate to a community project or volunteer their skills. Community work goes a long way. Doing what you can should be your priority instead of trying to save the world all by yourself. It’s impossible to take on a giant on your own, but with planning, help, and the reminder that preserving your health and wellness is essential, we can collectively achieve amazing things.