Social Media Streams

While watching the primary elections and the Colin Kaepernick affair unfold one thing became painfully clear, the effects of globalization is at the heart of the struggle for survival of the planet and its people, not just in the US but worldwide. How did you jump way over there you may ask? Well, when you study sociology, you learn how people act in groups and about group dynamics. You've got racist groups, religious groups and so forth, each with their own set of rules. And in the midst of all this confusion sits a global social media giant that is universal and viral, yet still searching for an identity that is inclusive and powerful enough to change the entire world.

I wondered how the manipulation of the primaries, for example, could be so obvious yet no one in power seemed to notice. Then I realized that only a few people were involved. Since the vast majority of the earth's resources are being monopolized by so few extremely wealthy people, we're stuck in a pattern of war and desolation instead of the prosperity that naturally flows from human effort and ingenuity. And our leaders are causing it by supporting measures that exclude us from everything important. We're going into another Dark Age ruled by a few egomaniacs. So now, because of all of the dishonest and unethical developments, I see much more clearly where all of this is coming from. The richest people on earth are right here. And they control the means of production, communication and many governments worldwide. But mostly they dictate people's activities by means of devices and institutions under their control.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xPD477FuqtY

However, the rest of the population is organizing and mobilizing devices and institutions of their own. But some people are so steeped in tradition that they are blind to the need for change. Sociologically speaking, change is taboo. It's football season for example, and control of the narrative is supposed to go back to the top of the food chain (the .01%) and their loyal sports fans. But a lowly hireling stole the show by not standing at the appropriate time, and then audaciously pointing to all of the social and political issues facing the nation. There will be no America if people continue in this direction. Nobody is benefiting from this ignorance but a few 'trillionaires.'

As wealth and power condenses into fewer and fewer hands, the rulers must develop global strategies to stay in power. This is the negative side of globalization. The wealth of individuals far outstrips the wealth of nations. Divide and conquer the nations. Find the cheapest labor. Charge the most for everything, pay the least and then keep all the profits. And deplete the planet's natural resources without regard for the environment. This is the dark side of globalization, and it must remain in the dark to survive. But just like cell phone videos shined the light on common police practices, social media is helping shine the light on many other mean spirited and wicked practices. What was done in the dark is now shouted from the rooftops, only like I said, we have cellphones.

One thing we've learned from all of this is the value of true communication. We're also learning not to accept slick media and mainstream productions, but to verify all information and identify the motives of the people and organizations bringing news and writing post. The Colin Kaepernick affair also made it easier to define many people's attitudes. I had to write this:

The hater's heart is ill.

Blame is the antidote

A bitter pill

Once it's spoken no logic remains

Only emotions like anger and rage

Is what they actually

Bring to the stage

With so many people burning Kaepernick's jersey and calling for him to be banned from the NFL, we're starting to see the depths of the hatred. Now, everything that is wrong with America in general and this election in particular is much more clear. The question is, what can we do about it? The results are not legitimate and should not be allowed to stand. We have people who know what to do to challenge this. I think it's time we listened to them. We can do more than not salute the flag or stand for the national anthem. We can support the efforts to bring those who subvert democracy to justice.