A lot of replies here (obviously from people not already aware of The Discourse on this point) were genuinely confused variants on "But why, they're right, that's a valid concern." Let me leave a short thread for future readers explaining why that stuff is always unwelcome on here. (1/n)
It's totally understandable if you're dooming about any facet of the American experiment right now. So your feelings are "valid" in the sense that they represent real anxiety, and I get that. But to vent that anxiety in other people's spaces is wrong for three reasons.
First, it's factually wrong. There will be elections in 2026 and 2028 under Trump, just like there were elections last year under Trump and during his first term. This despite one of the two major parties now harboring a lot of anti-democratic elements and ideas.
I'm not particularly interested in convincing anyone on this point and won't try, the future is the future. But if the left side of the political spectrum is still the domain of scholarship and expertise, take note that you don't find scholars and experts you worrying about canceled US elections.
Second, and probably most importantly, it's tactically wrong. "No point discussing political opposition to fascism, there won't be elections anyway" cedes victory to your enemies. It's defeatism and nihilism.
Finally, it's wrong AS A MATTER OF ETIQUETTE. Entering a total stranger's discussion and leading with your private anxiety is as off-putting in social media replies as it would be in real life. If you wouldn't interrupt a stranger at a party to announce that America is doomed, don't do it here.
If you are anxious and sad about the state of the world, that's fine, and there are plenty of strategies for dealing with that. But I think you already know that drive-by online dooming isn't a strategy. It's selfish and adolescent. It's a contagion that only spreads the worst of you, not the best.
Take a second and think before posting the easy Eeyore reply. You might have something substantive to say instead. Or, even better, you can say nothing at all.
https://bsky.app/profile/kenjennings.bsky.social/post/3mbuedepurs2x
Gotta disagree with Ken on this one. First, as other have pointed out, there is a very real possibility that Trump may find a way to cancel the elections. Laws do not matter to him or his base, and to ignore this fact is leaning too far toward "optimism" that you land in "gullible" territory.
Second, Ken is not the Arbiter of Conversation. I mean, have you seen him make small talk on Jeopardy? For crying out loud, the guy is one of the worst conversationalists on TV today. He's a fucking genius, but not somebody I'd like to spend more than 2 minutes with at the bar. People can input whatever they want, especially when you are having an open conversation. As he mentioned, their thoughts and anxieties are valid, so fucking stop trying to invalidate them.
If you don't want to see doomerism in your feed, I totally get that. I'm tired of it, too (even though I regularly contribute to it). You can totally just block or mute people if you don't want to see that, but to suggest that they shouldn't be saying it to begin with is crossing a line, IMO.
No, he's right about the etiquette. You might not realise it if that's how you genuinely feel, especially if you talk mainly with like minded people, but it's true.
The closest I've come in actual conversation is when someone has a habit of bringing up horrible things from their life or past on the most tenuous of connections. I don't want your depression to depress me, I'm sorry.
But more important, he's right tactically. Doomerism is the wrong tactic.
I get that you're depressed or whatever, but like ew. Just be happy!
Do you think it's not OK to want time off from a depressed person's conversations about unhappy they are (for example)? Because it sounds like that's what you're saying, even if it's not what you mean.
Ohmygawwwduh, can you just like stop talking about how you're sad? Just stop whining and smile!
Every time I see you in a comment section you are the most based motherfucker and I just wanted you to know I appreciate seeing you on lemmy /gen
I don't really see how bringing up the possibility of elections being cancelled is more of a downer than planning on voting for whoever is willing to "prosecute the [current] regime at every level". The whole point is that the Republicans have genuinely, actually, for real turned fascist. That's horrifying and depressing on its own and I don't think it's out of line to at least assume that they would absolutely cancel/rig the elections if they think they can get away with it. Because that's what fascists do.
Yeah this isn't an example of springing a downer on someone who's having a normal conversation, but it's a similar vibe: someone has something on their mind all the time gnawing at them, so they can't help but bring it up, even if it's not a good idea, even if it's not true.
thats the thing, though, if you only ever want positive engagement with your fellow man, where do we form empathy towards strangers? Where the hell does society occur, if we are filtering all language through a vibes-based pachinko machine?
if our leadership's best take is, 'plug your ears, forget about the horrible violence, just wait for years....'
that is the opposite of leadership. you are irrevocably inculcated in failed liberal ideology
That's not what I or they said though. You can express displeasure or concern without injecting misery into a conversation. Or, most people can. It's actually ok if some people can't but really those people should have the good grace and good sense to keep it to themselves if they're not able to moderate themselves.
This reminds me of the people who only are around when good things are happening in thier life, and dip at the slightest discomfort.
This mindset you have, to have good grace and good sense to "keep misery" from conversation feels a bit like putting ones head in the sand.
"In polite society we don't talk about dark things that make people uncomfortable" is exactly how we got here. Get some courage and face reality. This reads like all conversions should be bubble wrapped so the misery of reality doesn't touch you in your feely feels. Thats what's juvenile to me. Heaven forbid you face hardship's misery. Oh no
The family in the film, "The Zone of Interest" sure knew how to keep polite society didn't they?
I'm not saying it's never appropriate to say how you truly feel, but it's genuinely important not to contribute to the doom-mongering, so doing it on social media I'd say is not appropriate.
Talking about your childhood trauma is not something you should bring up on a first date, to take an obvious example. It's not nice to spring that on your date for one, and it's also just not a good idea for reasons of self-interest. Even if it's really on your mind and you really want to talk about it.
The tactics part is the infuriating one here, to me at least. Even if you genuinely think that there won't be elections, if you act like there won't be, all that does is further make it harder to find those voices pushing for democracy.
The regime will be less willing to pull elections if everyone keeps talking like they're going to happen. If doomers let them be de-facto "cancelled" then the regime doesn't have to do any work to rig them on their own.