World Spinning Weirdly

[RemyZee]

If this is too political please remove. But I was wondering, because nowadays there is so much social and political tension, and evermore. change, and I'm sure people have talked about this subject--how are you all handling it all or not handling it. I know for me i have become obsessed with looking at the news every hour or so, and tend to do this
uncontrollable analysis of what's happening all the time, trying to get constant information to chew on and having an incredible impulse to figure out where things might wind up next. At times i makes lists and diagrams of what is happening and how to interact with it. At other times I try to go back and figure out how we got here and how to respond. But i think we autistics are good problem solvers and i get a sense im more in control if im trying to come up with answers and alternatives. Cry at times rather foolishness. And there is always this unsettled sensation. As for us autistic people i genuinely think we process these things differently from others, because we can get so set on some string of thought. I also am very aware that people in my family have divided over political differences. But have any of you found ways that seem helpful to not be drawn into the black hole of believing the future is nothing but grim. I mean there are always grits, and that is enough to make one believe in the future.

 

[Outdated]

But have any of you found ways that seem helpful to not be drawn into the black hole of believing the future is nothing but grim.

I'm much the same but instead of just reading about it I got involved and started writing about it, I became very politically active. Mostly by writing to different politicians and to different concerned social groups. Not your average keyboard warrior, I don't waste my time complaining about what I don't like but instead lend my considerable intelligence and long memory to groups that I think can bring about positive change.

The future for my country has become a lot less grim over the last few years and only seems to be getting better, although not all see it that way. I'm really happy with the way things are turning out here and I can see a really rosy future ahead of us.

 

[tlc]

I put in my votes. After that, there isn't anything reasonable that I can do to change it. So I just don't watch the news, don't use social media, figure I'll deal with things if and when they affect me. No point dwelling on things that I can't control. I do attempt to be highly self sufficient, and keep plenty of food and other things on hand, but I've always done that anyway as good practice.

My parents are always trying to beat their maga views into my head. I finally just said I'm not gonna talk to you anymore if that's all you wanna talk about. And I have no problem doing that, I've got better ways to use my time. If you wanna talk about how our lives are doing, then great.

 

[Skittlebisquit]

The journaling helps. So do some other things. The deep interest that you can share. Your own leadership in mentoring a young artist or craftsperson is powerful, because it's something you did, and it proves that you are a somebody. Somebodies do things that matter.

The writing more than anything I think, it really helps to get the thought out if your head. Poetry is so much fun. there are a couple of basically text only sites for poetry that you can easily access on a limited connection. Poetry is a special language. Just reading poems changes your head. When you learn to write them it's sort of like being a kid and learning how to ride a bike.

Mostly it's about supportive positive ppl and of course humor. And Kung Fu. The cheesier the better.

 

[RemyZee]

The journaling helps. So do some other things. The deep interest that you can share. Your own leadership in mentoring a young artist or craftsperson is powerful, because it's something you did, and it proves that you are a somebody. Somebodies do things that matter.

The writing more than anything I think, it really helps to get the thought out if your head. Poetry is so much fun. there are a couple of basically text only sites for poetry that you can easily access on a limited connection. Poetry is a special language. Just reading poems changes your head. When you learn to write them it's sort of like being a kid and learning how to ride a bike.

Mostly it's about supportive positive ppl and of course humor. And Kung Fu. The cheesier the better.

Hahaha I will hato try the Kung fu

 

[Skittlebisquit]

Terry Pratchett is good medicine too. I read mostly on the phone screen now. You need a library card, but those are easy to get. The app is called Libby. Libby has audiobooks too.

Journaling is not easy to start doing. There are methods. You can learn to do it. I was taught how. Any competent mental health counselor or educator can teach you.

 

[SusanLR]

I simply have very little interest in it. Nothing much I can do about it, and I don't get into conversations with others as it always leads to dissension when views conflict.
This is the way of most people, and they want you to change to their way of thinking whatever the subject.

I live with someone who has a news channel on all day, so I hear enough to know what some of the major events are that is going on in the world.
I guess it's either a real concern to some or it isn't. Like any other interest.

 

[Ronald Zeeman]

To me just another puzzle, obviously a narcissist as a leader suffering from dementia. Boolean algebra gave me a solution not concerned any more did not make the issue in any way. Others did they can suffer consequences. Either way it is playing out as I suspected Not my issue.

 

[oregano]

I personally do follow the news using apps on my phone, mainly Yahoo News and Google News which are good aggregators. I like to try to listen to the news on radio but the closest all news station is in San Francisco (KCBS-AM, 740 khz) and it can be hard to receive here due to interference from CKJO Vancouver, British Columbia, on 730 khz. As for getting involved, that's one thing I DON'T do at ALL since people who try to get involved wind up in really deep trouble-death threats, stalking, "swatting" (where a false crime report is called in to try to get you arrested), and sometimes just killed outright. And that's not starting on if you get on the wrong side of local government. I stay out here in the hills alone and only contact other people when I have to do errands in the valleys. I prefer that people are not aware that I exist for the most part since the alternative is really bad.

 

[Tuffsy]

Like some of you I don't like to watch the corporate news channels, they are all politically biased, I read a few independent news pages. Politics is very worrying, even in Australia, but I'm more worried about the major world powers. It could be really disastrous. It doesn't help my anxiety. But as Doris Day says "que sera sera, what will be, will be".

 

[Neonatal RRT]

1. The best information in terms of news analysis, that I have found, is Ground News. It gives you both sides of a story, not just one.

2. I also use Grok as my AI source. The key to using AI sources is to formulate your inquiry or question without any bias. Then you will get a well-balanced and more truthful result. E.g. "What evidence, if any, is there to support,....", "Explain the roles of the prefrontal cortex within the context of autism." If you want maximum truth seeking, you need to not only ask the right questions but formulate it in such a way that it is neutral, without bias.

3. The news media and politicians will often use the manipulation of emotion and empathy to create a reaction from us. It is highly effective, but we are being manipulated, no doubt. Once you step back for a moment and let that sink in, then you can see things more clearly.

4. Protect your mental health by not allowing others suck the life out of an otherwise good day. If you don't like what the President or his cabinet members are doing, fine, but don't let them have the power over your well-being by triggering an emotional response. If every day, you read the news, and you just want to scream or cuss over what someone did or said, well, you're being manipulated. Recognize that and get off the crazy train. Don't emotionally invest in things you don't have control over. You do you. Adapt and overcome.