Furiously Bri

Hey friends! It’s been a while. I just wanted to express something as someone who loves education, learning, and understands the importance of a genuine discussion.

I had to leave a live on TikTok the other day because a girl I follow (who I still respect, but believe she handled someone wrong) asked a girl if she was voting for Trump. She said she was on the fence. Then she went off on her without an allowing an explanation as to why. Not a question about policy or anything, just went off. If I hear someone is on the fence, I’d much rather hear them out and see what makes them feel undecided and discuss with them rather and see if I can help clarify any questions with research I am willing to do or have already done. I like providing information when I’ve already seen it being put in a false light or as half a story, because people deserve the whole truth.

Both sides do this, but I don’t like that. I share information that battles misinformation. I had to explain to a guy yesterday who actually was kind enough to share a source that gave his reasoning as to why he felt Tim Walz was a liar. I researched and was able to objectively, not emotionally, disprove each claim he had. There were no insults on either side, just a talk. I even was open to watching the video he brought just to see if I missed something and been glad to swallow any pride and admit that I was wrong.

Misinformation, disinformation, and leaving out half a story is rampant because of the internet. I don’t want to be a part of that. I want to be educated. I want to be informed. I want to know things. If I can’t have a discussion or my information doesn’t trigger a curiosity and only triggers an attacked emotion, then that’s not exactly my problem. That sounds like something you have to heal.

Those who spread misinformation and disinformation to make themselves look or feel better can and should be held accountable, like Andrew Wakefield and Rudy Giuliani. Those who perpetuate bad information and lies will be asked questions and possibly challenged by asking for sources because it will be believed that they did not do proper, unbiased research before posting or claiming. If you cannot provide a source for a claim, even if it’s something you share online, you should probably not share it.

Be educated and prepared for questions because just as you have a right to share wrong information, others have every right to ask where you got it from and share what they have found to you. Once you click Post or Share, you open discussion. Period.

I will say this does not mean once you open a discussion that you immediately deserve arrogance, insults, or abuse. I’ve had condescending and rude conversations with people. I’ve been told I just “parrot what I see on TV.” But I research. I read. I draw my conclusion by hearing both sides and looking for flaws in claims. As someone who wants to be a paralegal, I’m not going to just hear half a story. I want the full picture. I feel this should be wanted by everyone, though.

Anyway, I hope that everyone has been having a great week so far and that maybe you learned something today.

I challenge you to research Andrew Wakefield all the way down to what he’s doing today and tell me what you think about him and his work. Let’s research and discuss!

My next post I plan to make about the book ban. If you want a tidbit on that, check it out here!