Too Late For Simple Stories
(Sorry for sending this one again. Substack saved two drafts of this post because of an internet connection issue and unfortunately I sent you the one missing couple of links. This one has everything.)
Hello everyone! September is here in full force. It feels like so many things happening at the same time but also nothing happens at all? It’s the type of confusing busy which I still can’t get used to it.
How are you all doing?
Many news outlets trying to find different ways to earn money, because they’ve finally noticed that ads and surveillance were never going to save them. That’s why all of us seeing more and more paywalls and subscription offers. Recently, I’ve noticed a new banner appearing every once in a while on the Guardian.
I know it’s probably just a different tactic to get my attention but it sounds like the Guardian is throwing shade at Turkish journalism. To me, it reads like “Journalism in your country is a trash fire. Why not support us instead, you’ll get decent news.” If that’s the case, good job!
From the Blog
Sometimes I get really angry and pessimist when I read news like this one:
Federal prosecutors in the Amazon state of Pará have now launched an investigation after revealing that they warned Brazil’s environment agency Ibama that a “fire day” demonstration was being planned around the town of Novo Progresso.
The prosecutors noted that the local Folha do Progresso news site had reported on plans for the fire day 5 August. “We need to show the president that we want to work” one local farmer told the website, adding that the only way to clear land for pasture was by felling trees and burning them.
But Ibama did not reply to the warnings until two days after the protests began, when it said that its operations had been hampered because police support had been withdrawn, putting their teams at risk in a region where they already face threats.
I’m angry not because how something like that sounded logical to them but because I know how. We’re seeing how selfish, idiotic actions like that can sound logical to people around the world. You don’t even have to go too far to find an example to that, I’m sure all of us has those groups in our countries. Many also has the majority in local politics too. I get angry because we should be using our energy to solve real and existential issues we’re facing on a planetary scale.
I also get angry because I know this problem is not something we can take a black or white stance. It’s way too complex for that. And we’re facing most of this stuff because world itself got too complex for many people. That’s why they think burning Amazon forests to support an idiot politician can solve many things. Because that’s what happens when you try to simplify a complex situation.
It’s easy to simplify all of these complex problems and pin everything on one thing. You can blame the shitty situation your country in —whether it’s economic crisis, dying human rights or anything else— to some mystic foreign power. You can create simple conspiracy theories to put your mind in ease, so that you don’t have to change anything or deal with any issue. Or you can simply think that just getting rid of one politician will solve all systemic problems and everything will be nice again, just like in the past.
This is why we’re dealing stuff like “post-truth”, “fake news” all that propaganda tactics played through algorithms, online mobs… Because no one has time to think about complex problems or detailed solutions. Making up simpler lies or elaborate conspiracy theories is simple and gives our simple brains more joy.
But it feels like it’s too late for anything. That’s where pessimism kicks in. Because when you want to talk about the other side of this story, there’s not many people to listen. I don’t know how this reactionary times will change but we have to find ways to adapt this complex world we have created. Because when you mix the current situation with the old culture, things only get worse.
WaDI Filter
“The threat that men will fall apart or harm themselves if women refuse to put up with their behavior is an age-old, tried-and-true tactic of control, and it plays on issues of identity that run hot and deep.” — Laurie Penny
“Post-social-media boom, people are assumed liars until proven truthful. All couples are fake; people who say they're not dating are probably married.” — Emma Grey Ellis
“But in a system that is pervasively stacked against women, a system that goes far beyond individuals and even institutions, it’s pretty clear to me that we should direct our harshest judgment towards those people and institutions who remain silent about their participation, and who do not care to talk about change.” — Kate Darling
“At the same time, the Saudi government is expanding its data-collection and surveillance capabilities in less visible, and less voluntary, ways. In recent years, the country has installed thousands of cameras and monitoring devices along sidewalks and roads, expanded the use of biometrics for citizens and travelers alike, and introduced a “Smart Hajj” program to manage — and track — millions of annual pilgrims.” — Sarah Aziza (I have to admit I mostly chose this quote because of ‘smart hajj’.)
Before wrapping up the newsletter, I’m sorry for the last week’s missing link. I’ve sent the newsletter before linking Corey’s blog post. I’ve edited the online version but you can also click here to read it.
That’s all I have for this week. Take care of yourselves and see you next week!
Who Writes This?
Ahmet A. Sabancı (that's me), writer, journalist and researcher. Writing about many things including technology, surveillance, censorship, philosophy, science fiction and futures and occasionally about politics and Turkey. There’s a good chance you found me through my blog or Twitter. You can find more about me here and small selection of my writings here.