Read on Twitter
Signing off
I took a break from Twitter about a month ago and it was beneficial for me. I’ve drifted back in recent days, but I think it’s time I leave for good.
I’m going to drop some thoughts in a thread, leave it up through Shabbat, and then finally deactivate Feynman.
I took a break from Twitter about a month ago and it was beneficial for me. I’ve drifted back in recent days, but I think it’s time I leave for good.
I’m going to drop some thoughts in a thread, leave it up through Shabbat, and then finally deactivate Feynman.
2/ I avoided social media before this. Social media can actually shrink/compress our thoughts/ideas/opinions. It stirs anger, limits the window of discourse, influences our thoughts/expression more than we realize. It herds us into tribes quickly. It might be bad for us.
3/ It makes arguments feel necessary, compels us to jump in and get angry about whatever just happened. It makes everything feel so urgent (hint: it usually isn’t). I’m still largely convinced of this, to be honest. But I also found some wonderful people. I’m thankful for that.
4/ I activated this account early in the pandemic because I was dismayed by how quickly we ripped the very fabric of society without asking some vital questions. It was full-fledged panic, and it was painfully obvious people weren’t thinking about risks in a comprehensive way.
5/ Fear dominated. Covid is real and deadly. But we don’t live in a vacuum, there are MANY things to consider when it comes to life and policy. I was looking for folks who were thinking about those questions and asking them. People who weren’t pushing fear. I found them.
6/ I found people who value reason and who have empathy. I was blessed to interact with so many remarkable people on here, people I’ve never met (most I never will) but who I have genuine affection and admiration for. I came for the conversations, but I stayed for these people.
7/ I forged friendships with amazing people like @AskeladdenTX and @Montaigne01, who were so supportive. I laughed at so many Tweets from @NahasNewman and I definitely got teary-eyed reading content from @AJKayWriter, who is such an effective communicator.
8/ I was inspired by the passion and advocacy of @vlal42 and @ElleMandell, who truly care about kids and giving voices to those who have smaller, quieter ones. (And so many more who care about kids and schools!)
9/ I came into contact with folks who I value a lot, like @mcmason1984, who are so creative (photos from your theater shows are an inspiration) and I whose work I hope I get to see one some day.
10/ I had so many great interactions with Team Reality folks (too many to list, sadly), you always provided thoughtful content. You know who you are. I appreciate you all. Thanks for always humoring this schmuck.
There are so many others. It’s overwhelming as I reflect now.
There are so many others. It’s overwhelming as I reflect now.
11/ So many of you made this pandemic more bearable. You care. At times it felt like I was screaming into the void, but then you answered. I wasn’t alone in the darkness.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I wish you nothing but the best, most love-filled lives.
Feynman
From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I wish you nothing but the best, most love-filled lives.
Feynman
