dissidence and safety

submitted by panel30 from self.AskSaidIt

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[–]hfxB0oyA 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (3 children)

That's what this site is for - venting in a forum that (mostly) won't shut you up, without having to reveal your ID.

I have frank discussions with close friends and family about my 'dissident' thoughts. I don't try to bring them around to my way of thinking, but I tell them why I have these opinions, and encourage them not to trust any one source of information, myself included. In my opinion, encouraging critical thinking and discourse amongst those around me is far more important than finding a like minded group to ensconce myself in.

[–]panel30[S] 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (2 children)

I have frank discussions with close friends and family about my 'dissident' thoughts. I don't try to bring them around to my way of thinking, but I tell them why I have these opinions, and encourage them not to trust any one source of information, myself included. In my opinion, encouraging critical thinking and discourse amongst those around me is far more important than finding a like minded group to ensconce myself in.

This is a really good reminder for me, thank you.

I also mean about people I'm less close with and the public too.

  • I'm not very good at hiding things in person. Like if I disagree with something or feel uncomfortable in some way that reveals dissident thinking. I think people can tell. Am I safe if people I rely on to help me meet my basic needs get a whiff? Am I going to be put on a tracking list? What is it safe to talk about publicly? Are there some things it's not?

  • what happens if you try to use legal stuff to protect you? does it still work right now? what about trying to get laws changed, or doing protest type stuff? is that safe?

[–]hfxB0oyA 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (1 child)

I suppose the answers to that depend on your locale. If I were in China, I suppose I'd be very concerned about being put on a government list. In North America, less so. But then, there would be a difference between being a loudmouth with the 'wrong opinions' in Portland, where there seem to be plenty of crazies who could put you on their own private lists for harassment versus someplace like Texas.

I think the old adage that you should avoid discussing religion or politics when you're invited to someone else's house for dinner is still valid today. Read the room and make your own decision about how much you want to reveal.

[–]panel30[S] 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Read the room and make your own decision about how much you want to reveal.

I'm in the US in a moderate locale (there are a good portion of both conservative and liberal people around here). It's a little hard for me to "read the room" 'cause I've been burying my head in the sand regarding a lot of current politics and events. I was hoping someone could advise. I'm glad if it doesn't seem quite as restrictive as China at least.

"reading the room" as you describe makes sense as a good general approach though, when I'm not among people I'm close with.

I also feel like I'm hiding something from people sometimes. If I know they want to avoid contact with people if they have certain viewpoints, for example. I guess I can just try to avoid them out of respect without disclosing if I think that's safer.

Thanks for the reply.