"Doom Pill" Content
There’s an interesting post about “Doom Pill” content over at Indiecator. The thrust of the narrative was the wearisome nature of continuously bleak, fatalist and pessimistic content. You’ll find a great deal of such material on Twitter and other social media platforms. It is very akin to the “everything and everyone is horrible and we’re all going to die” content you find served up daily in the UK tabloid press. I certainly agree that being emotionally and psychologically bludgeoned with content designed to make you upset, frightened and angry is exhausting. Furthermore, the material that is being “reported” upon to elicit such feelings is all too often misrepresented, skewed or downright dishonest. However, “Doom Pill” content has no interest in factual accuracy or editorial honesty. It’s about clicks or in the case of the print media, circulation.
Bearing this in mind, it seems unreasonable for me to berate anyone who mutes certain subjects or people on social media or who opts out of continual exposure to such material. “Doom Pill” content and “Doomscrolling” is “people vocalising doubts and spreading fear and fatalism” for no good reason other than they can, to quote Dan from his aforementioned post. However, I am concerned that choosing to avoid “Doom Pill” content can potentially foster a mindset that can ultimately make us averse to any thing that we don’t care for. Shutting your eyes to avoid the scary monster that is loose on the streets, doesn’t afford you any real protection from it. I’m not necessarily advocating attempting to tackle the beastie head on. Best leave that to the professionals. But forewarned is forearmed. Therefore, have a quick butchers, before you run off. (That’s have a look before strategically withdrawing for those unfamiliar with UK slang).
Facts are neither negative nor positive. They are simply a statement of reality as we currently understand it. Fear, upset and disquiet stem not from the facts themselves but how we or others choose to react to them. Being scientifically candid about the state of global warming is not what I would classify as “Doom Pill” content. Nor is having a practical discussion of the consequences of the reversal of Roe v Wade in the US. Listing the current benefits of Brexit or lack thereof is also not an act of deliberated scaremongering. Sadly, the ability to tackle difficult issues in an intellectual manner devoid of hyperbole, showboating and partisan politics is becoming increasingly hard. Sections of the media and the public seem to be either incapable or unwilling to do so.
It is important to look after one’s own mental well being. Especially in today’s climate where many institutions seem ill disposed to do so and prefer to do the opposite. But I would also argue that like physical strength, it is important to develop one’s emotional fortitude. Human history is predicated upon change and the change we seem to currently be embarking upon is not necessarily for the better. We live in challenging times. Furthermore, there are many institutions and bodies that are opposed to altering the status quo, thus making matters more difficult. Politics is acrimonious with no conception of seeking a consensus or the middle ground. It’s a shit show out there and it’s part of a deliberate plan to try and spook you, browbeat you into submission and withdraw from the fight. Don’t let them.
Blockade85 wrote yesterday with regard to the situation in the US “I’m angry, and I don’t know what to do. I can’t organise a protest, certainly not here. Too many people here LIKE what just happened. Now, I’m lost. We lost. Everything lost”. At first glance that does seem to be the case. But if you look on social media you’ll soon find that there are lots of people who feel the same and they’re talking about what to do next. You don’t have to be the next Doctor King or Peter Tatchell to play a part. There are a lot of different ways to get involved. Sometimes showing support or retweeting a message is a useful contribution. Letting others know they’re not alone helps. My fear is “ Doom Pill” content and the associated philosophy is being weaponised to keep people out of certain fights. A ploy to kill hope. Fuck that. Look after yourself mentally but don’t allow others to play upon such concerns, so that you end up sidelining yourself. Don’t let a fatigue of “Doom Pill” content kill your legitimate need to know what is actually going on.
