Tag: creative

I set a goal for myself in 2025: stay off Meta platforms as much as possible and, under no circumstances, argue with right-wing trolls.

Oops. I guess I didn’t reach that goal.

Looking back at my social media presence, you’ll find an opinionated elder-millennial using Facebook as their primary platform. I hate social media, but like most others, I haven’t been able to escape it. It’s how I promote my creative projects, podcasts, and blog. It’s where my wife tags me and the kids, keeping extended family updated on our lives. Facebook Messenger has even been the hub for most of our brand’s business chats.

It’s deeply integrated into my life—even though I hate it.

But after 2024, I decided that arguing with the close-minded trolls of the internet was futile. I resolved to protect my sanity and redirect my energy elsewhere in 2025.

Then, a friend of mine—who’s more like family—started stirring things up. After a significant milestone in their life passed, they began diving headfirst into right-wing posting. Sure, this friend has always enjoyed internet arguments. They’ll call others out for not listening to different viewpoints, yet they’ve consistently shut down those who take a hard stance against them. However, back when their posts had a more centrist tone, it felt different.

As many of you know, there’s no middle ground anymore. The only response to A is Z. The only answer to black is white. The only way to mobilize a recently lethargic political base is to incite anger about the other side’s beliefs.

Over the course of a week, this friend shared several articles daily. Many, I ignored. But one post—just before they shared a satire website as if it were fact—touched on immigration. It was a brief post, designed solely to create chaos.

That’s when I found myself in the middle of their comment section, defending logic and sanity to a stranger who countered with nonsense and echo-chamber rhetoric.

The whole ordeal was pointless.

As I have for years, I thought facts could correct the misinformation. But in the adjacent comment thread, I saw a progressive individual locked in debate with two conservatives. The conservative duo demanded the progressive cite sources they deemed acceptable (so no real news, since that’s all “fake news”). Meanwhile, one of them repeatedly claimed, “I’ve done the research,” as their sole evidence and source. They used the standard Republican strategy of deflection—accusing the left of lying, being violent, and echoing Trump and Musk without offering proof. Of course, they also hurled the tired accusation of “TDS” (Trump Derangement Syndrome) at anyone opposing their views.

As I considered jumping into that conversation to call out their hypocrisy and willful ignorance, I remembered my 2025 goal: don’t engage.

Instead, I directed my energy more productively. I enacted a five-point plan:

1. Write to representatives: I sent letters to my Congressman and Senators. I reminded Senator Bennett that when he runs for Governor in a few years, he’ll need to stand on the shoulders of those demanding he speak up now. I told Congressman Gabe Evans that his actions don’t align with his constituents’ values.
2. Support local campaigns: Knowing Gabe Evans won’t change course—especially since his 2024 campaign relied on lies about the Democratic incumbent—I signed up for updates from candidates challenging him in the 2026 election. Offering my services to help in those upcoming campaigns.
3. Donate to causes: I contributed to organizations affected by this administration’s policies. My choice was Planned Parenthood, but food banks, veteran services, LGBTQ+ charities, and others are also in need.
4. Create: I worked on my comic book projects, hosted a livestream sale on WhatNot, and wrote this article. Instead of channeling my written word into arguments with the willfully ignorant, I focused that typing on projects that energize me.
5. Protest: I joined thousands of others in a day of protest, ensuring this country’s leadership knows we won’t stand for what is happening.

I don’t list these actions to pat myself on the back. They aren’t groundbreaking. But when faced with the choice between arguing with someone entrenched in their echo chamber or investing my energy in meaningful efforts, I chose the latter.

Which brings me to the point of this opinion piece: what’s your five-point plan?

It doesn’t have to involve money or protesting. It doesn’t even need to include creating content. But it should be something worthwhile—something more impactful than an online argument. Your plan should bring you joy, give your community a boost, and address today’s political and social challenges. It should be a step toward a better future.

It can be as simple as reading a book to educate yourself or as ambitious as running for office.

The next time you’re tempted to argue with that contrarian relative during a family gathering, take a breath and pivot. When you feel like linking sources to refute the claims of an internet acquaintance or stranger labeling anything progressive as socialism or communism, step away.

Take a breath.

Turn to your five-point plan.

You don’t have to use all five points every time; even one can make a bigger difference than trying to enlighten the unyielding.

As my lawyer once told me about my ex-wife, and as it applies to internet trolls: “Never wrestle with pigs. You both get dirty, and the pig likes it.” (Shaw)