09/18/2019
**Big Announcement**
After 7 years (post my campaign) of trying to push conversations forward on the Facebook platform, I have come to the realization that it is no longer the forum or place to have constructive and beneficial debates resulting in ideas that could then be pushed through various legislative channels.
As such, I will have one more post simply announcing some (hopefully) very big news in the coming months, then this FB page will go dark until such a time that this can be used as a positive place for debate, discussion and idea formulation once again.
As technology has forced the world to become more and more connected, we have seen a growth in people regressing to what they identify as their own core affinity group(s) and a rapid growth in divisivism. (Yes, I might have just made that word up, but the world “tribalism” doesn’t accurately capture what’s going on, yet a sharp increase and belief in divisiveness does).
This isn’t just an American issue, it’s a global one. We see Britain pushing to leave the EU while we see Scotland wanting to leave the UK. We see Putin annexing only the Russian part of Crimea and a growth in white nationalism the world over. From Australia to Europe, countries are struggling with an increasing immigrant population that a far from insignificant number of individuals see as a threat to their (old) ways of life instead of a boon towards a richer more vibrant society. Here at home we see the divide along political lines, racial lines, moral lines, religious lines, and many many more. This growth in divisivism has pitted us against each other so much that some children even refuse to discuss geopolitics with their own parents as they recognize it could ruin an otherwise healthy relationship.
Much of this vulgarity and vitriol is expressed out of a subconscious fear. A fear that many will never admit that they have. With irrational fear comes a disregard for facts, a dismissal of any organization (or science) that has an opposing viewpoint and a look for any institution or information outlet to reaffirm their own beliefs. Unfortunately we have passed a tipping point in this country where no matter the logic, people would rather double down on a lie and verbally eviscerate the opposing viewpoint than admit there might be a better way than their own.
I still vehemently believe there is a better way forward and that we can and will get to a point where we will once again listen and discuss without spewing hate. An open debate is useless when it falls on a closed mind and unfortunately Facebook has become the home of divisivism and thus discussions here no longer have benefit.
I want to thank all of you that supported and contributed to this ongoing discussion over the years. Know I am not going away or being quiet, rather I am refocusing my efforts towards places and forums that have a better chance of effecting positive change.
All the best!
~Brian Barnes
