Listing the hills I'm willing to die on
My sources? Gut feeling, 36 years on Earth and deep thinking during scalding showers.
Image: Composição (Figura só) | Artist: Tarsila do Amaral | Date: 1930
Bringing this from my Substack notes, it feels like a better place for it.
In my almost 40 years of life, I believed and felt deeply about certain subjects, but upon learning more about them, I have, in fact, changed my mind before. I know, it’s shocking, but evidence-based thinkers still exist out here!
I do tend to hold on to some strong opinions, blame the combination of my ADHD brain with having to prove myself from an early age, which also led me to become a bit metacognitive, but be warned, it’s probably unlikely that I’ll ever change my mind about the subjects on this list.
The hills I’m willing to die on are numbered below, but definitely not ranked. They’re all number 1 in my heart. lol
1. Social Media as an experiment FAILED. Get away from it, and quick (don’t get me started on dating apps).
2. No one NEEDS A.I. for anything, ever. We simply don’t.
3. Stop photographing and posting children online, they cannot consent! No, not even your own children. This act should be a criminal offence. Truly.
4. Speaking of which, Social Media and A. I. need to be legislated HEAVILY and soon. Listen to experts, scientists, psychologists and even the people who work in the industry, these technologies should not be allowed to just exist, lawless, seeking profit over people.
5. Every emotion is ok, not every behaviour is ok. If you acted wrong, apologize for it, no conditions, no explanations, apologize wholeheartedly. As for your feelings, allow them, transmute them, grow from them, create something with the lesson you learned and make the world a better place.
6. Every single person that has ever lived is an artist and a creator, whether it be a painting, baking, inventing, writing, performing, etc, we all have at least one uniquely beautiful offering to the world. We should be allowed that, without fear, without turning it into profit, we should be allowed to just exist fully, and create because that’s our human nature.
7. As it turns out, we all need a Village, and that void cannot be filled by your phone. Be a part of your community, help, volunteer, and support when you can as you can.
8. A work week should last 4 days, and a work day should last 6 hours. Point blank, period. Meals together, dancing, singing, helping each other, building, resting, laughing, loving, painting, travelling, etc, are as fundamental as working, if not more.
9. Last but not least, most people are kind and just trying their best. Be kind, and try your best.
Oh, shucks, now I’m thinking I should have added one more to round it out to ten. I can probably think of more, but I’m not gonna, I need to shower. Please do let me know if you agree with any? If you disagree, do not let me know. Sorry!
Couldn’t agree more!!!